Name: Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon Copycat {7 Steps}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8oz cream cheese (softened); 24 wonton wrappers; 2tbsp minced scallions; 1/8 tsp garlic powder; Water

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The cream cheese Rangoon of Panda Express is a classic take on the favorite fried wonton appetizers typically found in Asian/Chinese buffet tables.

Tasty and crunchy, there is no wonder as to why you would want to recreate cream cheese Rangoon. In this post, we will get to know more about Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon plus an easy-to-follow recipe for you to follow.

Table of Contents

panda express cream cheese rangoon copycat recipe

What is Panda Express cream cheese rangoon?

Unlike the fried crab wontons that are usually bought in Chinese takeout, the cream cheese Rangoon of Panda Express is filled with cream cheese. It has a soft center, delicate edges, and crispy, hard exteriors. It is a favorite side to savory dishes in Panda Express.

Ingredients & substitute

The cream cheese Rangoon only has a couple of ingredients. As such, make sure that you have the following when making one:

Wonton wrappers
Cream cheese
Scallions
Cooking oil

As for substitutes, you cannot change the cream cheese because well, we are making cream cheese Rangoon. As for the cooking oil, you can use high-heat oil such as canola oil. But if you want a healthier substitute, you can always go for vegetable oil or corn oil.

Panda Express cream cheese rangoon calories & nutrition

As per Panda Express’ site, their cream cheese Rangoon has a total of 190 calories and 70 calories from fat. It also contains 5g of saturated fat, 35mg of cholesterol, 180mg of sodium, carbohydrates of 24g, protein at 5g, fiber at 2g and sugar at 1g.

Tools used in the recipe

The following tools should be prepared in making Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon:

Frying pan
Slatted spoon or tong
Strainer
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon

Panda Express cream cheese rangoon sauce

The best dip for cream cheese Rangoon would be the traditional sweet and sour sauce. All you must mix would be the following ingredients:

White vinegar
Sugar
Salt
White pepper
Water
Cornstarch
Tabasco sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup

Is cheese wonton the same as Crab rangoon?

Technically, no. Wontons are traditional Chinese food that is filled with seasoned ground meat and then boiled.

Rangoon on the other hand is an American-Chinese fusion dish referring to cream cheese filling wrapped in wonton wrappers. But as far as cheese wonton and crab Rangoon is concerned, we can say that they are similar because they are both wrapped in wonton, filled, folded and fried in the same way.

How to make Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon

panda express cream cheese rangoon how to

There are only three processes involved in making Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon. First, you have to mix the ingredients for the filling. Second, fill and fold the wonton wrappers in a butterfly like appearance. Third, fry the wontons until they are crisp and golden brown. Prepare the sweet and sour sauce and then serve.

Prepare a mixing bowl. Add the scallions, garlic powder, and cream cheese. Stir until everything is blended.
Start wrapping the wontons. Put 1tbsp of the mixture in the middle of the wonton wrapper. Seal the edges using water.
Gently push the centers of each side of the wonton in the middle and then press them all together. It should look like there are two sets of wings coming out from the center.
Repeat the process until all the wonton wrappers are used up. At this phase, start pre-heating the frying pan.
Start frying the first batch of rolled wontons. You would know which ones were made first by looking at the driest wontons.
Deep fry the wontons until golden brown. Transfer in a strainer for the oil to drain.
Serve warm.

More Panda Express copycat recipes

Variations on Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon

To elevate your cream cheese Rangoon, you can notch up the cream cheese filling by adding other sources of flavor. For instance, you can make it taste more savory by adding bacon tidbits in the filling.

You can also add minced carrots in it. Adding some cheese filling like mozzarella or cheddar is also a fine touch to cream cheese Rangoon. For the cooking process, cream cheese Rangoon can also be baked or air fried.

How to store Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon

Unlike leftover entrees from Panda Express, wontons will lose their crunch and will become crumbly if they are refrigerated for long. They only make it for 15mins in the fridge.

To make the most out of your cream cheese Rangoon, you can turn them into a cream cheese wonton soup with lots of scallions and chicken broth. You can also cut them into thin strips and use as toppings of salads instead of croutons.

Can you freeze Panda Express cream cheese rangoon?

You can only flash freeze them for 15mins. Beyond that, they will stick to each other and will become crumbly when you thaw them out.

Is Panda Express cream cheese rangoon healthy?

Well, Panda Express cream cheese Rangoon is not the healthiest appetizer or snack out there. It has a relatively high calorie content for finger food.

At the same time, it also has higher carb content compared to some entrees in the Panda Express menu. But when taken in moderation, it can still be a guilt-free food.

Is Panda Express cream cheese rangoon keto friendly?

While cream cheese is considered as keto-friendly, wonton wrappers are not. And it cannot be called a cream cheese Rangoon without the wonton.

Is Panda Express cream cheese rangoon gluten-free?

No, cream cheese Rangoon is not gluten-free. The wonton wrappers are made of wheat flour, eggs, and water.

However, you can make your own gluten-free wonton wrappers by substituting wheat flour with almond flour, oat flour, arrowroot flour and other gluten-free flours.

Is Panda Express cream cheese rangoon dairy-free?

Fortunately, cream cheese is categorized as a product made from milk but has little whey and has almost zero calcium content. As such, it cannot be clustered along dairy products along with cream and butter.

However, you still have to eat with caution since it could still have adverse effects to those with dairy allergies and those with lactose intolerance.

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon Copycat {7 Steps}

Yield: 24 wontons

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

The cream cheese Rangoon of Panda Express is a classic take on the favorite fried wonton appetizers typically found in Asian/Chinese buffet tables. For an easy-to-follow cream cheese Rangoon recipe, here is a guide

Ingredients

8oz cream cheese (softened)
24 wonton wrappers
2tbsp minced scallions
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Water

Instructions

Prepare a mixing bowl. Add the scallions, garlic powder, and cream cheese. Stir until everything is blended.
Start wrapping the wontons. Put 1tbsp of the mixture in the middle of the wonton wrapper. Seal the edges using water.
Gently push the centers of each side of the wonton in the middle and then press them all together. It should look like there are two sets of wings coming out from the center.
Repeat the process until all the wonton wrappers are used up. At this phase, start pre-heating the frying pan.
Start frying the first batch of rolled wontons. You would know which ones were made first by looking at the driest wontons.
Deep fry the wontons until golden brown. Transfer in a strainer for the oil to drain.
Serve warm.

Notes

You are not cooking the wontons in any specific temperature nor time. Just make sure that they are golden brown.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 54Total Fat 3gCholesterol 11mgSodium 73mgCarbohydrates 4gProtein 1g

Conclusion

panda express cream cheese rangoon copycat

If you are looking for an easy whip appetizer that everybody will enjoy, do not look further because you can easily recreate the cream cheese Rangoon of Panda Express.

It only takes some mixing, folding, and frying, and you are all set. You can also notch it up with the addition of some ingredients or modify the filling to suit specific diets. Nonetheless, this is a delicious appetizer, and for sure, no one can get enough of it.

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon (Copycat)