Sides
Panda Express Inspired Cream Cheese Rangoons
Crisp four-point wonton parcels filled with seasoned cream cheese and scallions, paired with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Inspired by Panda Express
Prep
30 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 12 ingredients
- • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- • 3 scallions, green parts finely sliced
- • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- • 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
- • 24 square wonton wrappers
- • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- • 3 tablespoons water
- • 6 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 2 1/2 inches in the pot
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softenedMissing
- 3 scallions, green parts finely slicedMissing
- 1 small garlic clove, finely gratedMissing
- 1 teaspoon soy sauceMissing
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauceMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oilMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugarMissing
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepperMissing
- 24 square wonton wrappersMissing
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flourMissing
- 3 tablespoons waterMissing
- 6 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 2 1/2 inches in the potMissing
Optional ingredients are not counted as required.
Cook smarter
- Read the full method once before starting.
- Prep ingredients first for a smoother cook.
- Use the print button for a cleaner kitchen copy.
Guided cooking
Cook one clear step at a time
Your place is saved on this device.
Method
Recipe notes
This unofficial recreation follows the chain's simple cream-cheese-centered appetizer rather than adding crab. A small amount of scallion and savory seasoning keeps the filling balanced, while careful four-corner sealing creates the recognizable crisp crown.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate cooked rangoons within 2 hours in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat on a rack at 375°F until crisp and hot; do not microwave, which makes wrappers leathery.
Make-ahead tips
Mix the filling one day ahead. Assemble rangoons up to 4 hours ahead, cover them well, and refrigerate in one layer; fry directly from cold so the wrappers stay firm.
What to serve with it
- - Vegetable fried rice
- - Orange chicken
- - Crisp cucumber salad
Equipment needed
- - Heavy saucepan or Dutch oven
- - Deep-fry thermometer
- - Wire rack and rimmed sheet pan
Difficulty explained
The filling takes minutes, but firmly sealing every wrapper and maintaining frying temperature require careful hands-on work.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Tamari
Use tamari in the same amount for a similar savory profile.
1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour
Use a commercial cup-for-cup blend that includes xanthan gum.
Mascarpone
Use the same amount of mascarpone in frostings and creamy fillings.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Overfilling prevents the seams from meeting and makes cream cheese burst into the oil.
- Dry wrapper edges crack instead of sealing, so keep unused wrappers covered and work with one at a time.
- Eating them straight from the fryer can burn your mouth because the dense cheese filling retains heat.
Nutrition Context
- Cream cheese and frying oil provide most of the richness, while wrappers and dipping sauce contribute carbohydrate and sodium.
- A serving of four rangoons works best as an appetizer alongside vegetables and a protein-based entree.
FAQ
Do these contain crab?
No. This style uses a seasoned cream-cheese filling with scallion rather than crab or imitation seafood.
Why did my rangoons burst?
They were likely overfilled or loosely sealed. Use only 2 teaspoons filling and pinch every seam firmly.
Can I assemble them ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate them in one covered layer for up to 4 hours and fry directly from cold.
Can I bake them?
Yes. Brush both sides lightly with oil and bake at 400°F until golden, though they will be less blistered.
How do I keep them crisp?
Drain on a wire rack, leave them uncovered, and serve the sauce separately rather than pouring it over the wrappers.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Vegetable fried rice; Orange chicken; Crisp cucumber salad. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.