Crispy Wonton Cups are the ultimate bite-sized appetizer crunchy, cheesy, and packed with bold taco flavor. These mini cups combine seasoned chicken, salsa, and melted cheese all nestled inside crisp, golden wonton wrappers for the perfect hand-held snack.
They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and always a crowd favorite. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, holiday gathering, or casual weeknight dinner, these wonton cups will disappear the moment they hit the table.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Wonton Cups
Crispy Wonton Cups deliver all the best Mexican-inspired flavors in one bite-sized package. The combination of crunchy wonton shells, savory chicken, melted cheddar, and fresh toppings makes them flavorful and satisfying yet light and easy to eat.
They’re simple to prepare, customizable for any palate, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just whipping up a fun weeknight dinner, these cheesy, crispy cups will bring smiles to everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream, for serving
- Green onions, sliced, for serving
- Tomatoes, chopped, for serving
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan.
Step 2: Make the chicken filling
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated and combined. If you prefer a saucier filling, you can add an extra tablespoon of salsa.
Step 3: Prepare the wonton cups
Press a wonton wrapper gently into each muffin cup, shaping it to fit the sides. It’s fine if the edges stick up they’ll become perfectly crispy and golden when baked.
Step 4: Layer the filling and cheese
Add about 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture into each wonton cup. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
If you have extra filling and cheese, you can double-layer the cups by adding a second wonton wrapper on top of the first, followed by more chicken and cheese for a heartier bite.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the wonton edges are crisp and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Let the wonton cups cool for 2–3 minutes in the pan, then carefully lift them out with a fork.
Top each cup with a small dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of sliced green onions, and chopped tomatoes for color and freshness. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!
Expert Tips for Success
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Pre-cook chicken: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe and saves time.
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Keep wrappers crisp: Don’t overfill the cups too much moisture from salsa can make the wrappers soggy.
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Bake in batches: If using more than one muffin pan, rotate halfway through to ensure even browning.
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Cheese variations: Try Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend for a different flavor twist.
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Make-ahead option: Prepare the filling in advance and assemble cups just before baking.
Tasty Variations to Try
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Beef version: Use ground beef cooked with taco seasoning instead of chicken for a classic taco flavor.
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Buffalo chicken: Mix shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and top with mozzarella or blue cheese crumbles.
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Vegetarian cups: Use black beans, corn, diced peppers, and cheese for a flavorful meat-free option.
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Breakfast edition: Fill with scrambled eggs, crumbled turkey sausage, and cheddar for a morning twist.
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Tex-Mex supreme: Add chopped jalapeños or diced avocado for extra flavor.
Serving Ideas
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Party platters: Arrange on a serving tray with bowls of sour cream, guacamole, and extra salsa.
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Game day snack: These portable cups are perfect for watching sports no forks needed!
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Appetizer table: Pair with other finger foods like stuffed jalapeños, sliders, or nachos.
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Family dinner: Serve with a side salad or rice for a quick, fun meal that everyone loves.
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Lunch prep: Pack 2–3 cups with fresh toppings for an easy, on-the-go lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use phyllo cups instead of wonton wrappers?
Yes! Store-bought phyllo shells are a convenient substitute just follow the same filling and baking steps but reduce bake time to 8 minutes since phyllo browns faster.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake the wonton cups (empty) a day ahead, store them in an airtight container, and then fill and reheat before serving.
How do I keep them crispy?
Serve immediately after baking for maximum crunch. If you need to reheat, do so in the oven or air fryer never the microwave.
Are they freezer-friendly?
Yes. Freeze the baked cups (without toppings) and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until crisp again.
How long will leftovers last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness.
Print
Crispy Wonton Cups
- Total Time: 22
- Yield: 24 cups 1x
Description
Bite-sized appetizers with crunchy wonton wrappers filled with seasoned chicken, salsa, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect party snack or quick weeknight treat that’s easy to prepare and endlessly crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream, for topping
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Chopped tomatoes, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan.
- Mix chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa until evenly coated. Add more salsa if desired.
- Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, shaping sides to form a shell.
- Spoon about 1 tbsp chicken mixture into each cup. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. For heartier cups, layer another wonton on top, then add more filling and cheese.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and cheese is melted.
- Cool 2–3 minutes in pan. Top with sour cream, green onions, and chopped tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for quick preparation.
Avoid overfilling to prevent soggy cups.
Bake empty wonton shells ahead; fill just before serving.
Try Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheeses for variety.
Reheat in oven or air fryer to keep cups crisp.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
Keywords: crispy wonton cups, chicken taco cups, cheesy appetizer bites, party finger food, easy baked wonton snacks
