SaveCrispy Crab Rangoon
Creamy crab-and-cream-cheese filling, crackling wonton shell, sweet-chili dipping sauce. Nostalgic takeout, upgraded with real crab.
Edited by Brian Kaplan·Last updated April 12, 2026
Servings
Est. total: $16.00 · $4.00/serving
Cost estimates are approximate and vary by location, store, season, and brand. Actual prices may differ.
Ingredients
- 8 oz lump crab meat (picked for shells)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3 piece scallions (thinly sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 24 piece wonton wrappers
- 4 cup neutral oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (for dipping)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (to brighten dip)
Instructions
- 1
Gently fold crab, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire, lemon juice, sugar, white pepper, salt. Don't crush the lumps.
Lemon and Worcestershire keep the cream cheese from tasting flat.
- 2
Place 1 tsp filling in center of a wrapper. Wet edges with water. Pinch opposite corners up, then the others, making a 4-point star — pressing to seal each seam.
Air pockets = explosions in the fryer. Press out all air.
- 3
Heat oil to 350°F. Fry in batches 90 seconds per side, flipping once, until deep golden.
- 4
Drain on rack. Thin sweet chili sauce with rice vinegar for extra brightness. Serve hot.
Pairs With
Rum, orange, orgeat
Tiki-era nostalgia matches the retro snack.
Clean Japanese lager
Carbonation cuts cream cheese richness.
With fresh lime
Spicy and bright against rich filling.
Make It Yours
Tap a dietary need to see exactly what to swap.
Reviews (0)
Honest reviews from cooks who actually made this recipe.
No reviews yet
Be the first to review this recipe.
Cooking Soundtrack
Lo-fi beats, Japanese city pop, and chill vibes for focused cooking.
Nutrition
Per serving. Estimated values. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
Tips
- •Use real lump crab, not imitation. The whole point is the crab.
- •Oil temperature drop is the enemy — fry in small batches.
- •Make-ahead: assemble and freeze on a tray, fry from frozen (add 60 seconds).
Substitutions
- lump crab → high-quality canned or imitation in a pinch
- wonton wrappers → gyoza wrappers (smaller, thicker)
Leftovers
Refrigerate 2 days. Re-crisp in air fryer 4 minutes at 375°F.
Leftover Ideas
Nutrition values are estimates calculated per serving and may vary based on brand, preparation method, and serving size. Not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice. Consult a registered dietitian for specific nutritional needs.
Allergen Notice: Recipes may contain or come into contact with major allergens including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. Always verify ingredient labels for allergen information specific to the brands you use.
Drink pairing suggestions are for adults of legal drinking age only. Please drink responsibly.
Food Safety: Follow USDA safe minimum internal temperatures: Poultry 165°F (74°C), Ground meats 165°F (74°C), Beef/pork/lamb steaks 145°F (63°C) with 3-min rest, Fish 145°F (63°C). Use an instant-read thermometer — do not rely on visual cues alone. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
