Craving for traditional Chinese-style Dumplings and Nothing better than a homemade wonton, unfortunately, you don’t have that right now or you just want some gluten-free alternatives. Whatever the reason is I’ve got the complete solution for you.
My daughter has a Gluten allergy so I use to make homemade Wonton skin by myself. If you don’t have that time to prepare then I listed other substitutes as well so keep scrolling down.
What do you get from these Alternatives here?
- 8 Best Wonton Wrappers substitutes
- All are Pantry staples so you don’t need to go anywhere
- Easily use and don’t change the final result
- Looking for a gluten-free alternative to wonton wrappers? Try out this simple recipe for homemade ones made from tapioca starch and eggs. They’re easy to make and taste great!
- I have details on how to use it
Before jumping to the substituting part, I would discuss a little detail about Wonton Wrappers and most importantly how to choose the alternatives.
Or, you can check the names below the box…
What Can I use instead of Wonton Wrappers- Spring roll wrappers, Shumai wrappers, Gyoza wrappers, Rice paper wrappers, homemade Gluten-free wonton wrappers, Cabbage leaves, Dumpling wrappers, Vegan wonton wrappers, etc.
What are Wonton Wrappers?
Wonton wrappers are a staple ingredient in many dishes originating from Chinese cuisine. These thin, delicate wrappers are made of a fairly simple mixture of flour, salt, and water and can be found in any Asian grocery store.
Used to envelop fillings such as pork or shrimp, they form the basis of steamed dumplings which can be served alone or accompanying entrées. They have also been embraced by cultures beyond their origin, appearing in dishes like Italian-style ravioli and Polish pierogis.
Things To Remember While Choosing A Substitution For Wonton Wrappers
The wrapper should be thin and delicate, not overpower the filling.
It should be able to hold its shape once cooked.
It should be easy to find and affordable.
8 Best substitute for wonton wrappers
1. RICE PAPER WRAPPERS
Rice paper wrappers are edible rice wrappers traditionally made of rice flour, water, and salt. For generations, they have been used to roll fresh or cooked ingredients into a light meal for Vietnamese cuisine.
Rice paper wrappers have a neutral flavor and a slightly chewy texture. They are generally white in color but may be dyed in other colors.
Rice paper wrappers are often used to wrap Vietnamese spring rolls, dim sum, and various desserts.
2. SHUMAI WRAPPERS
Shumai wrappers are a type of Chinese dumpling wrapper made from flour, water, and salt. They are used to make shumai, which is steamed pork dumplings.
Shumai wrappers can also be used to make other types of dumplings, including chicken and vegetable dumplings.
Shumai wrappers are sold in both fresh and frozen forms. They can be found in the refrigerated or frozen section of most Asian grocery stores.
The wrappers will be similar in texture to wonton wrappers but not quite as thick/elastic when cooked.
When using fresh shumai wrappers, it is important to keep them covered with a damp towel until you’re keen to use them, as they will dry out quickly.
To assemble the shumai, place a wrapper in the palm of your hand and add a small spoonful of filling. Wet the wrapper’s edges, then fold it over to form a half-moon shape.
Place the shumai on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper and pinch the corners together to seal them. Continue until all of the wrappers and filling have been used up.
You can either bake the shumai or cook them in boiling water. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake them for 10-12 minutes.
Bring a kettle of water to a boil if you wish to cook them in it. Add the shumai and turn off the heat when it reaches the boiling point.
Let them sit in hot water for 5 minutes before removing them with a slotted spoon. Serve immediately.
3. GYOZA WRAPPERS
Gyoza wrappers are thin sheets made of wheat flour, water, and salt that are used to make Gyoza.
The dough is flattened out thinly and cut into small circles with a special cutter or a drinking glass.
I believe it is better to use gyoza wrappers instead of wonton wrappers because the first one is a bit thinner than the second one. Therefore it would make a better result when frying or both pan-frying and boiling.
I have heard that pan-fried dumplings are much better than boiled ones but haven’t had these yet myself, which is why I can’t compare for sure how good they taste.
4. SPRING ROLL WRAPPERS
Spring roll wrappers are thin; rice paper wrappers are used to make spring rolls.
Spring roll wrappers are typically round in shape and are made from either wheat or rice flour. Spring roll wrappers can be obtained at most Asian grocery stores and online.
To use the wrappers, you’ll need to soak them in warm water for a few minutes until they’re soft. Then, fill them with your desired filling (usually vegetables, meat, or seafood), and roll them up like a burrito.
You can eat them right now or keep them in the fridge later.
Spring roll wrappers are thinner and larger than wonton wrappers, so you must adjust the recipe accordingly.
For example, you might need fewer spring roll wrappers, or you could make smaller spring rolls.
Spring roll wrappers may cook differently from wonton wrappers, so follow the cooking guidelines carefully.
Additionally, if you are using a dipping sauce with your spring rolls, be sure to test it on a sample spring roll wrapper before coating the entire batch.
Some sauces may be too thick or too spicy for delicate spring rolls.
5. HOMEMADE Gluten-Free WONTON WRAPPERS
To make homemade wonton wrappers without a pasta machine.
2 cups flour (I used gluten-free flour if that’s what you have on hand) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons oil
In a medium bowl, mix the flour and salt with a fork. In a small mug or bowl, pour in the oil. Take about 1/4 of the flour mixture and add it to the oil. Stir with another fork until crumbly.
Continue adding small amounts of flour until all is gone (about 1/4 – 1/3 cup will do). Now take your hands and form it into one ball by “kneading” it like dough.
If it is too dry, add water drop by drop; an ounce at most (if you accidentally add too much, add more flour).
Once it is all together in one ball, start to flatten it out on a floured surface. Sprinkle the topping of the dough with flour and roll it out into a thin sheet with a rolling pin.
The thinner it is, the better, but not so thin that it rips. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 2-inch squares. You may also push the edges with a fork to make them look neater.
To cook, bring a pot of water to boil and then carefully place 10-12 wonton wrappers in at a time.
Cook for 30 seconds until float and then remove with tongs. Serve with soy sauce and hot Chinese mustard.
6. CABBAGE LEAVES
Sound like weird, Right? But you have no idea how cabbage leaves will be delicious after you wrap any vegetable or meat.
Cabbage leaves are easily steamed and a healthy alternative option to wonton wrappers.
Cabbage leaves make any stuffing ingredients more delicious.
7. DUMPLING WRAPPERS
Dumpling wrappers are sheets made from dough with a variety of thicknesses. They are used to wrap around fillings so that you can make all kinds of dumplings!
You can purchase them fresh or frozen at Chinese grocery stores. There are different flavors made with various types of flours, so try out different ones to find your favorite!
When storing dumpling wrappers, they should always be kept in the freezer after opening the package.
Dumpling wrappers may dry out easily when exposed to air for too long. Store in an airtight container and seal properly before keeping it in the freezer.
8. VEGAN WONTON WRAPPERS
Regular wonton wrappers are made with eggs, but vegan wonton wrappers are made without eggs. This means they are perfect for people who follow a vegan diet or those who have an egg allergy.
Vegan wonton wrappers can be used to make all kinds of vegan wontons, including sweet and savory ones.
A few different brands of vegan wonton wrappers are available in stores, but you can also make your own at home.
You only need flour, water, and a little oil. The recipe is very simple and only takes a few minutes to make.
Once you have the vegan wonton wrappers, the possibilities are endless. You can make traditional pork shrimp wontons or get creative and try some vegan dessert wontons.
What is the difference between wontons and dumplings?
Wontons are the popular Chinese dumpling, When you say dumpling there are countless stuffed items pop up in your head. From steamed, fried, deep fried, different shapes, fillings, tastes, wrappers, and so on.
Wonton wrappers are thin and triangle or square, while dumpling wrappers can be thin or thick, and come in different shapes. Wonton is similar to Italian pasta tortellino.
Wontons are typically filled with minced pork and shrimp in less quantity and served with soup, while dumplings are usually filled with pork, beef, or lamb.
The dough can also be different. Dumpling wrappers are typically thicker, and the dough is made from flour, eggs, and water. Wonton wrappers are very thin and made with wheat starch, eggs, and salt only (without flour).
Even though they may look similar: dumplings and wontons do not always have the same fillings!
But all wrapped foods that consist of a filling inside a wrapper of some sort belong to dumplings.
This means there is quite a variety in what you can actually put inside your dumpling/wonton wrapper!
FAQs Related to Wonton Wrappers & Its Alternative
Q1. Where are wonton wrappers in the grocery store?
Wonton wrappers are typically located in the refrigerated grocery store, near other Asian-inspired ingredients like soy sauce and rice vinegar. They are also available in the frozen food section.
Q2. Are wonton wrappers vegan?
If you are thinking of making your own vegan dumplings at home, you may come across the word “wonton wrapper.” The first thing that springs to mind is determining whether it is vegan.
You might be confused about whether or not a wonton wrapper contains any animal-derived ingredients, and so might many others who would like to use this product for food preparation.
Thus, we hope that our answers to these questions will prove helpful to all those interested in the topic!
