Everything tastes better in miniature form! These Caesar Salad Wonton Cups are made using wonton wrappers as the cups. They bake crispy and golden with just a light spray of oil. A great shortcut for appetizers!
Caesar salad Wonton Cups
Because I had leftover ingredients from the Chicken Caesar Salad I shared earlier this week, I decided to use them up by making little bite size versions. Caesar Salad overload? Never! Especially not when you transform them into these cute little cups.
I love bite size food not only because they’re cute, but also because you don’t need crockery or utensils (very attractive for someone who doesn’t have a (working) dishwasher). Plus the other big benefit of this recipe is that you can prepare all the elements in advance – including the wonton cups which stay crispy for days in an airtight container. Then on the day, you simply toss all the caesar salad ingredients in a bowl and spoon into the wonton cups.
I’ve tried salads in cups before. What I found is that salads in vinaigrette or similar watery dressings don’t really work that well. You need a salad with a thick dressing so the salad stays together and doesn’t fall out when you take a bite. Caesar salad is perfect because the dressing holds everything in the cup with each bite.
And you know how the best part of caesar salads are the crunchy croutons? Well, you get even more crunch with these Caesar Salad Wonton Cups! Perfect crunch to greens ratio if you ask me. 🙂
Signing off, keeping this post short and sweet because I think I dribbled on enough about Caesar Salad earlier this week! Love to hear if you give this a go!
Some more mini one-bite Appetizers!
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Quiche Toast Cups – mini quiche made with bread!
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Caesar Salad Wonton Cups
Ingredients
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 2 1/2 cups cos/romaine lettuce , shredded
- 1 cup cooked chicken , diced
- 1 1/2 bacon rashers , diced
- 1/4 cup bread , diced finely (preferably stale)
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese , freshly grated
- 2 tsp fresh parsley , finely chopped (optional - for garnish)
- Salt
- Olive oil spray
Dressing
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 2 anchovy fillets
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise , preferably whole egg
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Milk , to adjust consistency
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Fit the wonton wrappers into each hole of a standard size muffin / cupcake tin (not mini and not Texas muffin tins!). Spray the wontons lightly with olive oil. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, until golden and crispy. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Heat a small non stick pan over high heat. Spray with oil, add bacon and sauté until crispy, then remove and drain on absorbent paper towel.
- Return pan to stove, reduce heat to medium high and spray pan with oil. Add finely diced bread. Shake pan (or stir) to brown evenly. Remove mini croutons from pan, scatter over a pinch of salt and set aside.
- Place Dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and whizz until smooth. If it seems too thick, use a tiny splash of milk to adjust the consistency.
- Place cos lettuce, chicken and bacon in a bowl with 6 to 8 tbsp of dressing (depending on how much dressing you want to use) and toss gently to combine.
- Divide the salad between the wonton cups, top with croutons, a pinch of parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nagi, what a great idea! I made these for my Mother in law’s 85th birthday party. They were a HUGE hit. I couldn’t find wonton wrappers, so I used phyllo dough cups that you can get frozen. Smaller than wonton wrappers, so I made about 4 dozen appetizers with the salad recipe. Also had to make sure salad ingredients were cut on the smaller side! Everyone raved about them. They were the first item refilled on the buffet, the first item I ran out of, and the first item people were asking for more of! I was a little apprehensive about the anchovies in the salad dressing, but once you have it made, you don’t get a “fishy” taste. It blends in and seasons the dressing. This is now my go to Cesar salad dressing! Long post, but wanted to say THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Awwwww – that’s great Lisa! And happy birthday to your mother-in-law!! N x
It was awesome. I made it for my son’s birthday and everyone just loved it.
I love all your recipes with all details and options you normally explain in your notes.
Thank you.
These are always a hit whenever I make them!
Delicious
Can you use Greek yogurt instead of Mayo?
Hi Ashley, you can! Try this one here: https://www.recipetineats.com/yogurt-salad-dressings N x
These were gone in a flash ! I made double and served them, made the mistake of saying there was more and they all wanted MORE. Will definitely make again, thank you. ( I used some leftover pork – the sauce was amazing)
Hi how far in advance can you put filling into wontons? Im going to school funtion and need to take something cold these be great but not served instantly, I think will be fine.
Hi Natalie – Up to an hour or so I’d say – N x
👍🏼👍🏼
I made this and it was delicious and looked gorgeous. The sauce tastes beautiful and goes perfectly with the ingredients.
I’m so glad you loved it Jane!
I was wondering if it would be possible to remove the anchovy fillets from the dressing. How would this affect the dish as a whole?
Hi Iresha, that’s perfectly fine to leave them out – N x
I made these as a trial for my daughters 21st party, serving them at my father in laws 80th birthday. They were the first to go, even my extremely fussy nieces loved, loved, loved them. They were super crunchy and the dressing is amazing, I’m never buying shop caesar dressing again!!
Great Nicole!!
Can l freeze the cooked wonton case as l want to get organised for a party and l need to make thing ahead of time Cheers Gladys
Hi Gladys, I personally would cook them and just store in an airtight container. Defrosting them may make them soggy and you’d need to crisp them up in the oven.
Thank you for your reply.How many days could l store them in a air tight container as l need to be organised for a partywell a head of time .
Cheers Gladys
I’d say a couple of days would be fine ☺️
Can i do it without the bacon?
you sure can!
Hello Nagi I am so excited to make these what I wanted to know is do I need egg roll wrappers or the actual wonton wrappers? The wonton wrappers seem too small. Thank you in advance. Im making these this weekend for Mothers day brunch. Also do I need to brush both sides with OO or just one?
Hi Lakisha! The wonton wrappers are the perfect size for my muffin tin 🙂 Spray both sides for extra crunch!! N xx
Thank you Nagi! 🙂
What another fabulous recipe. I made this as a part of a tapas menu I did for a birthday dinner. Everyone loved them so tasty and easy to prepare. They were also great the next day for lunch. Going to be a regular item that I cook now. Thank you Nagi 😊
Love hearing that Mel! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
I haven’t made these yet but what’s not to like? This is exactly what I was looking for. We’re having a pot luck at work and there is nothing to heat anything up with except a microwave. Not that I don’t love a cheesy dip or meatballs from a crock pot, but that’s getting old. It would be nice to have something different and fresh that I could make ahead. This is it! I will admit that I’m not going to make the Caesar dressing, I’ll use my favorite store bought. This is a great fresh idea. I may try a ranch salad too, for those that don’t like Caesar.
I hop you love this Susan!! Gosh I haven’t made these in ages, must make them again soon! N x
How far ahead can you make the wonton cups? Having a party and if I could make the cups in advance and fill at last moment that would be great!
Hi Mary! You absolutely can – I’d say 2 days is safe, 3 days is probably fine too!