Crab Rangoon (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Christie Lai

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Crispy fried wontons stuffed with a delicious filling made of cream cheese and crab meat. This quick and easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and will save you money on Chinese takeout! Great as a starter, snack or party food in 30 minutes!

Crab Rangoon (1)
Jump to:
  • What is Crab Rangoon?
  • Expert Tips
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Pairing Suggestions
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

What is Crab Rangoon?

Cran Rangoon is a delicious crispy wonton wrapper filled with a creamy crab mixture and deep fried to golden perfection. It's a popular takeout dish that you can get at your Chinese restaurant! Best served with sweet Thai chilli sauce or plum sauce!

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Interestingly enough, these cheese wontons have nothing to do with Chinese cuisine, but it’s a seafood served at American Chinese Restaurants. Victor Bergeron, the founder of Trader Vic's, created this dish in the 1930's in America.

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I love these little crispy creamy parcels of joy! The best part is that you can prepare the wontons ahead of time, freeze them and fry them up on the day of serving.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.

Crab Rangoon (4)

Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry most of the Asian specific ingredients

  • Wonton wrappers:that are about 3 x 3-inches in diameter. The Asian markets or select Western grocers will carry them in the refrigerated section. Make sure they are fresh as they are easier to work with. You can also purchase the frozen wonton skin, but you will need to thaw them before wrapping.
  • Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point.
  • Cold Water: to seal filled wonton wrappers.

Filling

  • Imitation Crab Meat or Real Crab Meat: This is entirely up to you! I prefer imitation crab meat since it's more accessible and less fishy tasting than real crab meat and it's also budget-friendly. The grocer will carry imitation or real crab meat or in canned form, which will make things much easier.
  • Light or Normal Cream Cheese
  • Green onions
  • Regular soy sauce:or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Sesame oil:If you're allergic, feel free to omit.
  • Worcestershire sauce: to balance the savoury flavors.
  • Sugar
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

Dipping Sauce Suggestions:sweet chili sauce or plum sauce

Variations

  • Gluten-free version? Substitute the soy sauce with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice.Substitute the Worcestershire sauce with a gluten-free version.
  • Dairy-free version? Substitute with a vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free version!

Expert Tips

  • Chop the crab meat into 2 cm wide pieces for easier mixing and so that they can break down quickly.
  • Leave the cream cheese out at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften. This will make it easier to combine cream cheese with other ingredients.
  • Keep the wonton wrappers moist by placing a damp clean towel over them.
  • Don't overstuff the wontons with filling or they will burst while frying.
  • Pinch and seal the wontons well to prevent the filling from leaking out into the hot oil.
  • Use a heavy bottomed pan or dutch oven for frying as the heavy bottom maintains oil temperature.
  • Make sure oil is hot enough before frying, at least 325-350 degrees F with a digital instant read thermometer or insert a wooden utensil into the oil and look for bubbles.
  • Fry in small batches. This maintains a consistent oil temperature when frying.
  • Drain off excess oil. Transfer the fried wontons to a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil which makes it soggy.

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make crab rangoon:

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Chop imitation crab meat into small pieces, about 2 cm wide, and set aside.

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In a large bowl, soften room temperature cream cheese with a spatula until smooth.

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Add imitation crab meat into your bowl of softened cream cheese, along with the rest of filling ingredients as listed.

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With a fork, mix very well until crab meat breaks down.

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On a clean surface, lay out a wonton wrapper. Add ¾ tablespoon of the filling into the center of the wrapper. Prepare a small bowl of cold water nearby. Dab a bit of the water along the edges of the wrapper.

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Lift and pinch the two opposite corners of the wrapper.

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Then lift the adjacent corners and seal the edges. Pinch them well to prevent leakage as you fry, especially the tip of the wonton.

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Place crab rangoons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap to prevent the wonton skins from drying out.

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In your pan, add oil and bring to medium heat or 325 F. Once oil is hot, add crab rangoons in small batches. Do not overcrowd the pan.

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Deep fry crab rangoons for2 minutes on both sides, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to wire rack set on a baking pan or paper-towel lined plate to remove excess oil. Allow this to cool down a bit before enjoying with sweet chili sauce or plum sauce!

Storage

  • Leftovers: This is best enjoyed immediately but leftovers will last up to 4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container. To reheat: bake them in a preheated oven at 350 F or air fry at 300 F for 6-7 minutes or until warm.
  • Freezer-friendly? Yes, you can make them ahead and store them in a single layer in a freezer bag, so they don’t stick to each other. They will last 2 months in the freezer or until freezer burn begins to form. You can then deep fry, air fry or bake them from frozen.

FAQ

Can I make these in advance?

Crab rangoons are best enjoyed fresh but you may make them up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To enjoy, reheat it in the microwave or air fry for 5-6 minutes at 350 degrees F until hot.

Can I air fry crab rangoons?

To air fry crab rangoons: Spray air fryer basket with enough oil. Pre-heat air fryer to 350 F. Place uncooked crab rangoons in a single layer with enough space around each one. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in batches. Evenly spray enough oil (about 1 tablespoon per batch) over the exterior of the rangoons.Air Fry for 6-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Can I bake crab rangoons?

To bake crab rangoons (note: these won't be as crispy as the fried or air fried kind): Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Place the wrapped wontons in a single layer with enough space between them. Lightly spray them with oil and bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.

How do I repurpose the oil?

Yes! I usually reuse it a second or third time depending on how clean I can keep the oil. Cool down the hot oil, then strain of any browned bits and transfer to a reusable container to store in the fridge.

📖 Recipe

Crab Rangoon (15)

Easy & Quick Crab Rangoon Recipe

Crab Rangoon (16)Christie Lai

Crispy fried wontons stuffed with a delicious filling made of cream cheese and crab meat. This quick and easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and will save you money on Chinese takeout! Great as a starter, snack or party food in 30 minutes!

4.87 from 15 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, Chinese

Servings 18 pieces

Calories per serving 57 kcal

Ingredients

  • 18 pcs wonton wrappers
  • 2 cups vegetable oil or neutral tasting oil
  • water for sealing wontons

Filling:

Serve with:

  • Sweet Thai Chili sauce or plum sauce

Instructions

  • Chop imitation crab meat into 2 cm wide pieces and set aside.

    See Also
    Crab Rangoon

  • In a large bowl, soften room temperature cream cheese with a spatula until smooth.

  • Add imitation crab meat into your bowl of cream cheese, along with the rest of filling ingredients as listed.

  • With a fork, mix very well until crab meat breaks down.

  • Add ¾ tablespoon of the filling into the center of the wonton wrapper. Using your fingers, dab a bit water along the edges of the wrapper.

  • Then lift two opposing corners of the wrapper and pinch only the tip of it.

  • Then lift the adjacent corners and seal them. Make sure to pinch them very well to prevent leakage as you fry, especially the tip of the wonton. (See step by step images in above blog post.

  • In a large heavy bottomed pan or dutch oven, add oil and bring to medium heat or 325 F. Once oil is hot, deep fry crab rangoons in small batches and do not overcrowd the pan. Fry 2 minutes on both sides, until golden brown. Remove and transfer to cooling rack or a paper towel lined plate to drain off excess oil. (To air fry crab rangoons, see instructions in Notes section below)

  • Allow crab rangoons to cool down a bit before enjoying. Serve with store bought sweet chili sauce or any sauce of your liking.

To Freeze Leftovers:

  • Place a large freezer friendly bag on a large plate or small baking tray. Place leftover rangoons into the bag in a single layer giving each one enough space. Seal the bag and place bag on top of plate/tray into freezer. After 1 hour of freezing, remove plate/tray. This keeps the rangoons in a single layer and prevents them from overlapping.

    They will last 2 months in the freezer (until freezer burn forms) and can be deep fried from frozen.

Notes

To air fry crab rangoons:

Spray air fryer basket with enough oil. Pre-heat air fryer to 350 F. Place uncooked crab rangoons in a single layer with enough space around each one. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in batches.

Lightly and evenly spray just enough oil (about 1 tablespoon per batch) over the exterior of the rangoons. Tip: Brush oil on the outside of each wonton for more crispiness! Air Fry for 6-8 minutes until crispy. Feel free to add another 1-2 minutes if it's not golden brown and crispy as each air fryer brand is made differently.

Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you enjoy my recipe?

  1. Jacey Ginder

    How much is enough oil spray for the air fryer? I’ve only just sprayed the food when it was heated, not the inside before hand.

    Reply

    • Christie Lai

      Thanks for flagging this, I've revised the recipe card to indicate how much oil is needed. I would suggest using 1-2 tbsps or as needed to evenly spray the rangoons on the outside only.

      Reply

  2. Mallory Hobbs

    I did mine in triangle shapes and all the edges got nice and crispy with beautiful color. However, the middle stayed soft and almost raw. Why is that? I brushed with olive oil. Did I use too much oil or maybe not enough? Help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Christie Lai

      Thank you so much for making my recipe! It's most likely due to the the way it was folded. When folded like a triangle, the middle part is much larger than the traditional way of folding them and has less edges. Therefore, it'll take longer for the air fryer to make it crispier. Also it's important to note that each air fryer appliance is made differently so I would suggest adding a couple more minutes until the skin of the middle is bubbled and golden brown.

      Reply

  3. Christine Carey Armstrong

    Crab Rangoon (21)
    I did enjoy this recipe. My first time making them they turned out great. I think there is room for adjustment, making them your own version. Thanks simple, easy and kinda fun.
    I did fry them, but will try the air fryer next time.

    Reply

    • Christie Lai

      Thanks so much for making my recipe, Christine! Glad you found them delicious, simple and easy!

      Reply

  4. Grace

    Where is how much of each ingredient to use

    Reply

    • Christie Lai

      Hi Grace, all the measurements are listed in the bottom recipe card or you can click here for it. For future, when you reach my blog post, click "JUMP TO RECIPE" at the top and it'll quickly bring you down to the card so you don't need to scroll down.

      Reply

  5. hkil hgjl

    Crab Rangoon (22)
    Yummy!

    Reply

  6. Sandy Davis

    Crab Rangoon (23)
    The recipe is really spot on. It said it made 18 and I got 19 out of it. I did use fresh crab meat legs that I picked the meat apart myself. Time consuming but worth it. I just used a very small amount of sesame oil because it is very strong and can overpower the crab taste. I did not have green onions, so I used Chives and it worked better I think because it is a milder taste and you can control the usage better. All in all, great tasting Crab Rangoon just like a Chinese Restaurant. I used Sweet Chili Sauce and Sweet Duck Sauce for dipping so friends can decided heat or no heat,

    Reply

    • christieathome

      Thanks so much for making my recipe and for your kind review, Sandy! I love your efforts in using fresh crab meat so kudos to you! The chives sound like a wonderful addition. I'm so happy the recipe worked out well for you and it's just like takeout!

      Reply

  7. jael

    Crab Rangoon (24)
    Hi, i have tried 3 crab rangoon recipes on the internet, yours was the best. Thank you for this recipe. More power.

    Reply

    • christieathome

      Thank you so much for this very kind comment, Jael! I am so happy to read that and glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Reply

Crab Rangoon (2024)

FAQs

What is the crab rangoon trivia? ›

According to his granddaughter Eve, crab rangoon was the brainchild of Trader Vic's founder Victor Bergeron. He was playing with wonton wrappers in the kitchen one day when he thought to stuff them with crab meat and cream cheese and deep fry them.

What is the plural form of crab rangoon? ›

crab rangoon (plural crab rangoons) A deep-fried dumpling in American Asian cuisine, stuffed with cream cheese, crab meat, and scallions and/or garlic.

What is the meaning of crab rangoon? ›

noun. variants or crab Rangoon. : a dish consisting of deep-fried wontons filled with a mixture of crab meat and cream cheese.

Why is it called a rangoon? ›

The name comes from Rangoon, now Yangon, which is the largest city in Myanmar, formerly Burma. I am finding slight disagreement on if Victor himself as claimed by his granddaughter Eve Bergeron (head of marketing and public relations) or if Joe Young, a Chinese-American barback at Trader Vic's did the actual creation.

What is a fun fact about crab rangoon? ›

Although the appetizer has the name of the Burmese city of Rangoon, now known by Burmese as 'Yangon', the dish was probably invented in the United States by Asian American chef Joe Young working under Victor Bergeron, founder of Trader Vic's.

What culture is crab rangoon from? ›

Trader Vic's in San Francisco claimed the crab rangoon they served (first appearing on their menu in the 1950s) came from an old Burmese recipe, but food historian Herb Caen says that dish most likely was invented in the restaurant's own kitchen. In other words, crab rangoon is just as American as apple pie.

Can you eat crab rangoon cold? ›

How to serve this sweet crab rangoon. You can serve this crab dip cold or warm and bubbly straight from the oven!

What does the word "rangoon" mean? ›

Definitions of Rangoon. noun. the capital and largest city of Myanmar; located in the south near the Irrawaddy river delta. synonyms: Yangon. example of: national capital.

Is a wonton a Rangoon? ›

Rangoon is actually a Burmese city. Wontons filled with cream cheese and imitation crab are named after the city – crab rangoons, whereas wontons just filled with cream cheese are often referred to as wontons – but they are used interchangeably.

What kind of crab is used in rangoon? ›

Crab Rangoon Ingredients

The cream cheese will be easier to mix if it is room temperature. Lump Crab Meat: You can use lump crab meat that is found in the refrigerated meat section of the grocery store, or you can also find canned lump crab meat! I recommend using real crab meat over imitation crab meat.

Is crab rangoon a St Louis thing? ›

There are two schools of thought relating to the genesis of Crab Rangoon. The first tells of its debut at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904-- a year the city has never since exceeded in terms of global attention or charm.

Is crab rangoon a snack? ›

Crispy fried wontons stuffed with a delicious filling made of cream cheese and crab meat. This quick and easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and will save you money on Chinese takeout! Great as a starter, snack or party food in 30 minutes!

What is the modern name for Rangoon? ›

Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar and the industrial and commercial centre of the country. It was known abroad as Rangoon until 1989, when the government of Myanmar requested that Yangon, a transliteration reflecting the Burmese pronunciation of the city's name, be used by other countries.

What country is Rangoon from? ›

Yangon (Burmese: ရန်ကုန်; pronounced [jàɰ̃. ɡòʊɰ̃]), formerly romanized as Rangoon, is the capital of the Yangon Region and the largest city of Myanmar (also known as Burma).

Why did Rangoon change its name? ›

These renamings took the form of the "Adaptation of Expressions Law", passed on June 18, 1989. Thus, for instance, Rangoon was changed to Yangon to reflect the fact that the "r" sound is no longer used in Standard Burmese and merged with a "y" glide.

Is crab rangoon a St. Louis thing? ›

There are two schools of thought relating to the genesis of Crab Rangoon. The first tells of its debut at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904-- a year the city has never since exceeded in terms of global attention or charm.

What is rangoon in history? ›

Rangoon, in what was formerly known as Lower Burma, was the capital of British Burma from 1885 and a separate district in Pegu Division during the British period. It was also the headquarters of Hanthawaddy District.

What is crab rangoon anyway? ›

They feature cream cheese, imitation crab meat, scallions, and your other favorite flavors. All of that is wrapped up in a wonton wrapper and then shaped in a unique star, purse, or flower shape. Crab rangoon can be fried or baked and served hot or cold.

Do people in China eat crab rangoon? ›

In fact, the majority of the most famous Chinese food dishes in the west don't exist in China, including the famous Chinese takeout box, mainly because of the kind of ingredients available, for example, the cream cheese, an ingredient so uncommon in China that makes the crab rangoon almost impossible to find.

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