Nothing beats that crispy, creamy bite of a perfectly baked Crab Rangoon. That’s why I adore this Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe—it takes those beloved flavors and makes them irresistibly bite-sized, perfect for parties or just a fun night in.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m all about recipes that feel both fancy and fuss-free, and this one hits that sweet spot every time. The blend of creamy cream cheese, savory crab, and just the right touch of garlic and green onions wrapped in a crisp wonton cup? Game changer.
- Perfect Party Food: These little cups are just the right size for snacking or serving as elegant appetizers.
- Quick & Easy: You whip up the filling in minutes, bake, and you’re done—no deep frying needed!
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the filling or dips to suit your taste, making it yours.
- Crunchy vs. Creamy: That satisfying crunch from the wonton pairs beautifully with the smooth, cheesy crab filling.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe lies in the balance of textures and flavors. Each ingredient plays its part, whether it’s building richness, adding zing, or creating that crispy shell we all love.
- Crab Meat: I like lump crab for the texture, but imitation works well and is budget-friendly. Just make sure it's well-drained so the filling isn’t watery.
- Cream Cheese: Bringing the filling to room temperature helps it blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang that brightens the flavor and keeps the filling creamy without being heavy.
- Garlic: Freshly minced is best here—it gives the filling just the right savory punch.
- Green Onions: Both the white and green parts add mild onion flavor and a little freshness.
- Soy Sauce: Adds essential umami and a touch of saltiness that rounds out the filling.
- Sugar: Just a pinch balances the savoriness nicely.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully to enhance that creamy texture and cheesy goodness.
- Wonton Wraps: These form the crisp, golden cups that hold the filling. Keep them covered to prevent drying out.
- Cooking Spray or Oil: Helps crisp up the wonton cups in the oven without frying.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—it’s forgiving and fun that way.
- Variation: Sometimes, I swap the crab for chopped cooked shrimp or even a mix of both, which adds a slightly different seafood twist that everyone loves.
- Spice it Up: Add a dash of sriracha or cayenne to the filling if you like a little heat.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and skip the mozzarella to make it suitable for dairy sensitivities.
- Wonton Wrapper Substitutes: If you can’t find wonton wrappers, egg roll wrappers work too—just trim them to fit your muffin tin.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Wonton Cups
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. I spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray—this helps keep things from sticking. Then, gently press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, shaping it so it forms a nice little cup without tearing. Don’t forget to spray the tops of the wonton cups lightly with cooking oil—that’s the secret to extra crunch. Pop them in the oven for about 6-8 minutes and watch carefully; they go from golden to burnt pretty quickly, so set a timer or keep an eye on them!
Step 2: Make the Crab Rangoon Filling
While the wontons bake, get your filling ready. If your cream cheese isn’t room temp, nuke it for about 10 seconds to soften—it mixes better that way. In a bowl, combine the crab meat, cream cheese, sour cream, finely minced garlic, sliced green onions, soy sauce, sugar, and mozzarella cheese. Mix it all until it’s creamy and evenly blended. This is when all the flavors really come together and smell amazing.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Spoon a heaping tablespoon of that luscious crab filling into each crisp wonton cup. Cover the entire tin with foil (this helps the filling heat evenly without drying out) and bake again for 10-12 minutes until the filling is warm and bubbly. When you take them out, immediately transfer the cups to a cooling rack so they stay crisp and don’t steam in the tin.
Top Tip
I've made this Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe so many times now that I’ve learned the little things really make a difference. These tips help you get happy, crispy cups with creamy filling every time.
- Don’t Overfill: Using just a heaping tablespoon per cup prevents overflow and sogginess after baking.
- Watch the Wonton Cups Closely: Baking times vary by oven, so keep a close eye during that first bake to avoid burning.
- Transfer Immediately After Baking: Moving the cups quickly to a cooling rack keeps the bottoms crisp instead of soggy.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh green onions and garlic really brighten the filling compared to dried alternatives.
How to Serve Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with extra thinly sliced green onions—it adds a pop of color and fresh zest. To really elevate the tasting experience, I drizzle or serve alongside spicy mayo and Thai sweet chili sauce for dipping. These dips add layers of flavor and complement the richness of the filling beautifully.
Side Dishes
For a complete bite, I like pairing these wonton cups with a crisp Asian slaw or a simple cucumber salad tossed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds. They’re light, refreshing, and balance the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
One time at a holiday party, I served these on a wooden board lined with banana leaves for a tropical vibe. I sprinkled crushed toasted peanuts over the garnishes for extra crunch and tossed in edible flowers. It made the presentation pop and totally impressed my guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers (which is pretty rare!), I store the Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups in an airtight container in the fridge. I put a paper towel on the bottom layer to absorb any moisture, which helps keep them from getting soggy overnight.
Freezing
If I want to make these ahead of a party, I bake the empty wonton cups first, then let them cool completely. I freeze the baked cups and separately freeze the filling in a sealed container. When ready to serve, I thaw and then reheat cups with fresh filling in the oven for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I always use the oven instead of the microwave—the trick is keeping the crispiness alive. Bake at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes uncovered. This warms the filling and crisps the wonton cups back up deliciously.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Imitation crab meat works perfectly and keeps the recipe budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor or texture. Just be sure to drain it well to avoid a watery filling.
Egg roll wrappers or spring roll wrappers are excellent substitutes. They may require trimming to fit your muffin tin and’ll yield a slightly different texture, but the cups will still be delicious and crispy.
Yes! You can bake the empty wonton cups ahead and keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Prepare the filling separately and assemble right before reheating and serving to keep the cups crisp.
Thai sweet chili sauce and spicy mayo are my go-to dipping sauces—they add sweetness and heat that complement the creamy crab filling perfectly. You can also try a soy-ginger dipping sauce for an extra boost of umami.
Final Thoughts
This Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe is one of those dishes that brings a little festive sparkle to any occasion while staying surprisingly simple to make. I always find myself coming back to it whether I’m feeding a crowd or just treating myself to something special. I’m confident you’ll find the same joy—and maybe even a new favorite party snack—to share with friends and family.
Print
Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups are a delicious twist on the classic appetizer, combining creamy crab filling with crispy baked wonton wrappers. Perfect as a party snack or appetizer, they are easy to prepare and served with flavorful dipping sauces like Thai Sweet Chili and Spicy Mayo.
Ingredients
Crab Rangoon Filling
- 1 cup crab meat (imitation or canned lump crab meat that has been drained very well)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 4 green onions (thinly sliced, white and green parts)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Wonton Cups
- 24 wonton wraps
- Cooking spray (or cooking oil of choice)
For Serving
- 1 green onion (thinly sliced, for garnish)
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (for dipping)
- Spicy Mayo (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 24-count mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or brush with cooking oil.
- Shape Wonton Cups: Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin tin space. Spray or brush the tops of wrappers with cooking spray or oil. Bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Prepare Filling: If cream cheese is not at room temperature, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds until soft. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, crab meat, sour cream, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, sugar, and mozzarella. Mix until evenly combined.
- Fill Wonton Cups: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of filling into each baked wonton cup. Cover the muffin tin with foil.
- Bake with Filling: Bake filled cups until the filling is warmed through and bubbly, about 12 minutes.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove wonton cups immediately from muffin tin and transfer to wire rack or plate with paper towel to keep crispy. Garnish each cup with sliced green onions.
- Serve: Serve with Thai Sweet Chili sauce and Spicy Mayo for dipping. Enjoy your Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups!
Notes
- Wonton wraps can typically be found refrigerated near tofu or salad dressings in grocery stores. Substitute with egg roll or spring roll wrappers if needed.
- If you don't have a 24-count mini muffin tin, use a 12-count regular muffin tin by layering two wonton wrappers offset to avoid overlapping corners. Fill each with 2 tablespoons of filling. Yield will be 12 cups.
- Watch wonton wrappers closely while baking to prevent burning.
- For creamier filling, ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

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