For the Cream Cheese Wontons:
- 20 square wonton wrappers
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
- Vegetable oil for frying (or cooking spray for baking)
For the Spider Decorations:
- 8–10 additional wonton wrappers (for the legs)
- Black seeds or finely chopped black olives (for the eyes)
- A small amount of softened cream cheese (to attach decorations)
For Serving:
– ½ cup Azeka’s Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce, plus extra for drizzling
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, soy sauce, and ground ginger.
Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside while you prepare the wonton wrappers.
Step 2: Assemble the Wontons
Lay a wonton wrapper flat on a clean work surface.
Place approximately 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese filling in the center.
Lightly brush the edges with beaten egg, then bring the four corners together above the filling. Pinch the seams securely to create a small, rounded pouch.
Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
Tip: Make sure the wontons are tightly sealed to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.
Step 3: Make the Crispy Spider Legs
Cut the additional wonton wrappers into thin strips, approximately ¼ inch wide and 2 inches long.
These will become your spider legs!
For the fried version, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry the strips in small batches for approximately 20-40 seconds, or until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
For the baked version, lightly spray the strips with cooking spray and bake at 375°F for approximately 4-6 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Set the crispy strips aside to cool.
Step 4: Cook the Wontons
Choose your preferred cooking method:
Option 1: Frying (Extra Crispy!)
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 350°F.
- Carefully add the assembled wontons in small batches.
- Fry for approximately 2-3 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Option 2: Baking (A Lighter Alternative)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Arrange the wontons on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Lightly spray or brush the wontons with oil.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Allow the wontons to cool slightly before decorating.
Step 5: Turn Your Wontons Into Spiders!
Now comes the fun part!
- Place a cooked wonton on your work surface.
- Using a tiny dab of softened cream cheese as edible glue, attach four crispy wonton strips to each side to create eight spider legs.
- Add two black sesame seeds or tiny pieces of black olive to the front of each wonton for eyes.
- Repeat until all your spooky little spiders are ready!
Tip: For extra personality, bend or angle the crispy wonton strips slightly before cooking to create legs that look like they’re crawling. Handle them gently, as they can break easily.
Step 6: Serve With Azeka’s Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce
Pour Azeka’s Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce into a small serving bowl and place it in the center of a large platter.
Arrange your spider wontons around the bowl, positioning their crispy legs to make them look like they’re crawling toward the sauce.
For an extra burst of flavor, lightly drizzle some Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce over a few wontons just before serving.
Serve warm and watch these creepy-crawly treats disappear!
Tips for the Perfect Spider Wontons
- Make them ahead: Prepare and assemble the cream cheese wontons a few hours before your party. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Keep the legs crispy: Attach the spider legs just before serving so they maintain their crunch.
- Add a little heat: Mix a teaspoon of Azeka’s Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce directly into the cream cheese filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Get the kids involved: Let little helpers decorate the cooked, cooled wontons with eyes and legs for a fun Halloween kitchen activity.
- Get creative with presentation: Serve your wontons on a dark platter with Halloween-themed decorations for an extra-spooky display.
A Spooktacular Bite of Sweet & Savory Goodness!
Halloween snacks don’t have to be all about candy! These Sweet Chili “Spider” Wontons bring the perfect combination of creamy, crispy, sweet, and savory flavors to your Halloween celebration.
With their crunchy little legs, adorable sesame seed eyes, and a delicious bowl of Azeka’s Hawaiian Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping, they’re guaranteed to be a hit with ghosts, goblins, and hungry party guests alike.
So gather your ingredients, get creative, and bring a little Hawaiian-inspired flavor to your Halloween festivities!
Looking for more delicious island-inspired recipes? Visit azekasauce.com/recipes for more creative ways to bring the flavors of Maui to your kitchen.