Jalapeño Popper Avocado Wontons

Jalapeno Popper Avocado Wontons are essentially a fried, amped up version of your favorite jalapeño popper appetizer! The creamy and spicy filling wrapped in a fried wonton wrapper makes these poppers a fantastic party appetizer or even an afternoon snack. We prefer to fry these jalapeño cream cheese wontons, but they can also be baked or cooked in the air fryer!

about these jalapeño popper wontons

I am a BIG fan of all things spicy (as you’ve seen with my Big ‘n Smoky Five Alarm Burger and my Spicy Green Bloody Mary… and many more, haha!).

That’s why cream cheese jalapeno poppers are one of my favorite appetizers, like, EVER. The cream cheese and the spice of the peppers are just the right combination.

It’ll light your tongue on fire and soothe the burn all in the very same bite. It’s one of those appetizers that isn’t too filling and pairs perfectly with a chilled beer.

Say hello to my oh-so easy version of a jalapeño popper that isn’t a jalapeno popper, technically.

The filling has all the ingredients you know and love, including jalapeño, cream cheese (plus two other types of cheeses), and a special guest… avocado! Thus jalapeno popper wontons!

It’s easy to make for backyard BBQs, tailgating/homegating parties, or even a quick snack when you want something more than cheese and crackers in the afternoon.

I know it seems a little weird to be throwing an avocado in the mix, but hear me out!

The creaminess of the avocado pairs wonderfully with all the other ingredients in the wonton fillings. Not to mention you also are getting an extra hit of flavor and protein. It makes it an extra silky filling with the cream cheese, perfectly complementing the fried exterior!

are they really spicy?

These wontons have just the right amount of heat, but you can adjust it depending on your heat tolerance. If you need a refresher on how to seed a jalapeño, I have this whole post dedicated to my top tips and tricks. I recommend seeding the jalapeños, but you can also leave them in if you want added spice.

You can also use serrano peppers, habaneros, or even ghost peppers if you are completely INSANE. In other words, you can burn your tongue if you really want to.

I am a jalapeño girl though, so I’ll be sticking with the original recipe over here 😉

Note: this is an updated version of the original published on June 30, 2017.

ingredients

cheese. For the filling, you will need cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. I personally like to use a sharp cheddar cheese for the extra boost of flavor, but you can use mild or medium.

avocado. One large avocado is all you need! Peel and remove the pit, then mash it up with a fork in a small bowl.

spices. You will need garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

cilantro. Fresh cilantro is best here! You can also use dried, but if you do be sure to halve the total amount noted in the ingredients list.

jalapeño. Be sure to seed the jalapeños before using them (check out my how to seed a jalapeño post for pointers)! You can leave the seeds in if you like it really spicy, but I prefer to leave them out.

wonton wrappers. I buy my wonton wrappers at the local supermarket (they are in the refrigerated section!). You can also use gyoza wrappers – the only difference is that they are round and will give you a half-moon shape instead of a triangle that you see here.

oil. I like to use canola oil or avocado oil when I’m frying anything! You can also use vegetable oil, but I find that vegetable oil gives a lingering flavor when you use it.

hot honey. This is optional, but I love a little drizzle of hot honey over the top of these jalapeno popper wontons before serving.

this recipe’s must-haves

This chef’s knife is fantastic for chopping jalapeños – my favorite knife brand! You will never need another knife, because they all come with a lifetime of free sharpening!

A dutch oven is the one pot I always use to fry recipes to golden brown perfection. Plus, it’s ideal for all your braising/soup/stew recipes! 

A spider strainer is a must for anything you fry! It helps you safely get these little guys out of the hot oil without burning the crap outta your hand. 

here’s how to make jalapeño avocado cream cheese wontons

make filling

To make the filling, simply stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, avocado, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cilantro and chopped jalapeño. Make sure to stir together everything thoroughly until it’s well-combined. Set aside.

assemble wontons

Use a clean, flat work surface to assemble the wontons. Place one wonton wrapper in front of you so that the corner is pointed towards you.

Dip your finger in water and moisten the edges of the wrapper. Add 1 tsp of the filling in the center of the wonton wrapper.

Fold the wrapper in half, over the filling. Pressing around the filling gently and press out towards the edges to seal well. You want to make sure there are no air pockets by the filling so it seals properly. Repeat with the remaining filling and wonton wrappers.

fry

Heat 1 to 2 inches of canola oil in a heavy skillet. Once hot and popping, fry the wontons in batches of 4 to 5 at a time.

Fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Serve with a drizzle of hot honey, if desired.

Gatherings Made Easy: Love all things SPICY?! Be sure to make this Chile Beer Sangria to go along with this appetizer and turn up the heat on your next gathering!

where can I find wonton wrappers?

Wonton wrappers are a refrigerated item, so don’t head straight to the Asian food aisle at your local supermarket! They can also be found at a local Asian grocery store if you can’t find them at a major grocery store.

can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! While these are best served fresh right when they are made, they can also be reheated and served later. I recommend setting the oven to 375˚F and reheating the wontons on a baking sheet until warmed through.

can I bake these jalapeño popper wontons instead of frying them?

Yes you can! Lightly grease a baking sheet and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Then once the wontons are made, add them to the baking sheet and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown! Enjoy!

does the avocado turn brown?

Nope! The avocado stays green inside the filling, even after cooking.

can I skip the avocado?

If you don’t want to include the avocado you can skip it! Note that you will end up with just a handful less wontons than the original recipe because you’ll end up with a smaller amount of filling.

can these jalapeño wontons be air fried?

Yes they can! Set the air fryer to 380˚F and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Don’t forget to spray the basket/insert so the wontons don’t stick!

Need more inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizers recipe page!

what to serve with jalapeño avocado cream cheese wontons

I love to top these jalapeño avocado cream cheese wontons with a drizzle of hot honey (even plain honey will do!) to get a sweet and salt kick.

If you would like to serve these jalapeno popper wontons with a dip, I recommend using your favorite tomato-based salsa. Restaurant-style salsa works best versus chunky style salsa. I’ve also had readers tell me they served it with mango chutney by putting a dollop on top of each wonton!

There are lots more game day snacks recipes to look at for all the inspiration you need! If you love all things jalapeño popper, you have to try this jalapeño popper dip next.

Don’t forget the cocktails! From a 2-ingredient gin and ginger ale to a tasty bourbon manhattan, there are tons of cocktails that go with this spicy and savory dish.

how to store and reheat

Store. The wontons will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat. Reheat the wontons in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet in the oven. Bake at 375˚F until they are warmed through and crisp again.

Finally, if you make this jalapeño avocado cream cheese wontons, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!