First things first, gather all of your ingredients. It makes the cooking process seamless and enjoyable. Make sure your crab meat is properly drained and that your cream cheese is soft enough to mix easily. Trust me; a little prep time goes a long way.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and light mayonnaise. Ensure these two are well blended. Next, fold in the chopped crab meat, diced bell pepper, sriracha hot sauce, minced chives, lemon zest, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix everything until you have a cohesive filling.
Now comes the fun part! Take a wonton wrapper and place about a tablespoon of filling in the center. Wet the edges of the wrapper with a bit of water using your finger. Fold the wrapper over the filling, pinching to seal and create a triangle shape. You can also fold the corners inward to create a classic wonton shape.
Repeat this process until you’ve used up all your filling. Love the handmade vibe these wrappers give.
Next, it’s cooking time! You have several options: frying, baking, or air-frying. For frying, heat about an inch of oil in a deep pan. Carefully drop the wontons into the hot oil, cooking for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
If you opt for baking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the wontons on a lined baking sheet. Brush with a little oil and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
While the wontons cool, prepare a dipping sauce. Something tangy like sweet chili sauce works wonders. Arrange the wontons on a platter, garnished with fresh chives, and serve hot. Trust me; your guests will be reaching for seconds!