Crispy, golden-brown wontons filled with sweet apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, just like mini apple pies. These easy apple cinnamon wontons are baked instead of deep-fried. I brush the wontons with milk and a little oil so they bake up golden and crispy.
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Apple cinnamon wontons are a Chinese-American fusion dessert or snack featuring crispy wonton wrappers filled with sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples. They taste like mini apple pies without the traditional pastry crust.
I loved developing this recipe because it combines the familiar flavors of Western apple desserts with wonton wrappers commonly used in Chinese cooking. They're also fun to make with kids, especially during apple season!
When I make these, I cut the apples into small, even pieces so they soften quickly inside the wrappers while baking. I also toss the apples with cornstarch to thicken their juices as they cook, keeping the filling from becoming too watery.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Exact ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Wonton Wrappers: Use yellow, 3-inch square wrappers made with wheat flour and eggs. Find them in the refrigerated section of Asian grocery stores.
- Pink Lady Apples: I prefer these for their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture. Gala, Honeycrisp, or McIntosh apples also work.
- White Granulated Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar also works for a richer, caramel-like flavor.
- Ground Nutmeg & Ground Cinnamon: Add warm, sweet spices that give the apple filling its classic apple pie flavor.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the juices released by the apples during baking so the filling isn't too watery. Potato starch also works.
- Milk: Helps the wonton wrappers turn golden brown during baking. For a dairy-free option, use plain oat, almond, or macadamia milk.
- Vegetable Oil: Helps the wonton wrappers bake up crispy. Or use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or refined avocado oil.
Expert Tips
- Cut the apples evenly so the pieces soften at the same rate during baking.
- Keep unused wonton wrappers covered with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
- Avoid overfilling the wontons or the wrappers may tear and the filling may leak out.
- Seal the edges firmly to prevent the wrappers from opening and releasing the filling during baking.
- Leave space between the wontons so hot air can circulate and crisp the wrappers evenly.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make apple cinnamon wontons:
- Prepare the oven and apples: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the unpeeled apples into ¼-inch-thick matchsticks, then cut them into ½-inch-long pieces.
- Make the filling: Transfer the cut apples to a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch, then mix well until the apples are evenly coated.
- Fill the wontons: Place a heaping ½ tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Lightly dab cold water along the edges of the wrapper.
- Seal the wontons: Fold each wrapper diagonally into a triangle and firmly pinch the edges together to seal, pressing out any trapped air.
- Prepare for baking: Arrange the wontons in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops with milk, then spray with a thin, even coating of vegetable oil.
- Bake the wontons: Bake on the middle rack for about 14-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. No flipping is needed. Remove from the baking sheet and enjoy warm!
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover apple cinnamon wontons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled wontons in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before reheating.
- Reheating: Bake refrigerated wontons at 375°F for about 5-10 minutes or frozen wontons for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy.
Pairing Suggestions
Serve apple cinnamon wontons with:
- Coffee or Tea: Balances the sweetness of the apple filling.
- Fresh Berries: Add a refreshing, tart contrast to the sweet wontons.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Adds a creamy contrast to the warm, crispy wontons.
FAQ
Yes! Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F. Fry the wontons in small batches for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
Yes! Arrange the uncooked wontons in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F, adding a few extra minutes until golden brown and crispy.
More Like This
Check out my other dessert recipes:
📖 Recipe
Easy Baked Apple Cinnamon Wontons
Ingredients
- 1 lb wonton wrappers (about 40 wrappers)
- 2 cups apples use Pink Lady, McIntosh, Honey Crisp or Gala Apples
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar or brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 tablespoon milk
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the unpeeled apples into ¼-inch-thick matchsticks, then cut them into ½-inch-long pieces.
- Transfer the cut apples to a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch, then mix well until the apples are evenly coated.
- Place a heaping ½ tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Lightly dab cold water along the edges of the wrapper.
- Fold each wrapper diagonally into a triangle and firmly pinch the edges together to seal, pressing out any trapped air.
- Arrange the wontons in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops with milk, then spray with a thin, even coating of vegetable oil.
- Bake on the middle rack for about 14-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. No flipping is needed. Remove from the baking sheet and enjoy warm!
Janice
Yes, this is a very tasty treat. My dilemma is that after being stored for only a day, the fritters came out of the air tight container soggy. How can I re-crisp them?
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for the positive feedback and for making my recipe! Glad you enjoyed it! You can use the air fryer or recrisp them in the oven at around 350 degrees F.
silvana trotter
Loved your recipe.
No exotic ingredients that I cant find, plain and simple and good.
40 is quite a bunch.
Can you freeze after cooking??
thank you
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for making my recipe and for this positive review! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! These apple cinnamon wontons can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze: let them cool down completely and then store them in a single layer into a freezer-safe bag resting on a baking sheet. Once they're frozen solid, remove the baking sheet. To reheat from frozen: re-bake them from frozen at 350 F for 10-15 minutes until hot.
Michele McDaniel
How far in advance can you make these? Or are they better warm?
christieathome
They are better warm so I recommend consuming them same day if possible.
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Great recipe. This is such a fun wonton flavor, it's so totally perfect for Fall! 💕💕💕
Liv
Such a creative recipe!! Need to try this
christieathome
Thanks so much!
Rebecca Dillon
Yum! These sound delicious! What a wonderful treat for fall! I love Pink Lady apples.
christieathome
Thanks so much Rebecca! They're such a great apple for Apple Season!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
My girls would love to help create these adorable mini apple wontons! Thanks for such a fun idea!
Dennis Yannakos
Such a creative recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Kitchen Utensils
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Oh these apple cinnamon wontons are so adorable. They're like mini hand pies! Such a fun recipe that's great for little ones too!
christieathome
Thanks so much Michelle! They were so fun to make!