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These Vegan Chicken Parmesan Wonton Cups are the ultimate party appetizer! Swap out the traditional pasta with a crispy wonton cup to make an easy finger food. Everyone loves these savory Italian bites!
Table of Contents
If you love our Vegan Chicken Parmesan and Eggplant Parmesan recipes, you’re in for a treat! This vegan appetizer stuffs all the delicious flavors of the classic Italian dish into a bite-sized wonton wrapper. Crispy vegan chicken tenders, saucy marinara, and creamy vegan cheese combined inside a crispy, golden wonton wrapper. You won’t want to miss serving this crowd-pleaser at your next game day party or family gathering!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Vegan butter: Melted butter is used to brush the wonton wrappers and help them become golden brown and crispy. If you don’t have vegan butter on hand, use a neutral oil such as vegetable oil.
- Wonton wrappers: We like to use the brand Twin Dragon because it is certified vegan. Feel free to use any vegan wonton wrappers you have access to.
- Vegan chicken nuggets: Any vegan chicken nuggets or chicken tenders of choice will work well. We used 8 Alpha Foods Original Chick’n Nuggets. If you prefer a homemade vegan, our homemade vegan chicken nuggets made with vital wheat gluten would work great here!
- Marinara sauce: Opt for any store-bought or homemade marinara sauce. If going the store-bought route, we like the Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce from Trader Joe’s.
- Vegan cheese: We used both vegan parmesan and vegan mozzarella cheese shreds in these wonton cups. Any brand of choice will work well!
- Fresh basil: Optional, but the perfect fresh garnish!
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Muffin tin
- Pastry brush
- Mixing bowl
How to Make Vegan Chicken Parmesan Wonton Cups
- Bake the vegan chicken nuggets. Cook the nuggets or tender according to package instructions. Then, allow the vegan chicken to cool for a few minutes before chopping finely into small pieces.
- Prep the wonton wrappers. Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the wonton wrapper with vegan butter. Press each wrapper into a muffin tin cup, pushing the wrapper down and against the sides to form a cup. Repeat with all 12 wonton wrappers.
- Bake. Transfer the wonton wrappers to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, set aside until ready to fill.
- Prepare the vegan chicken parmesan filling. While the wonton cups bake, make the filling. Into a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the chopped vegan chicken, marinara sauce, and 1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese. Gently mix everything together until combined.
- Fill the wonton cups. Evenly spoon the cream cheese mixture into each baked wonton cup. Sprinkle each cup with vegan mozzarella cheese shreds and remaining vegan parmesan.
- Bake. Bake the wonton cups for a final 8 minutes.
- Serve. These parmesan bites are best served while warm topped with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Most wonton wrappers are made with wheat, so this delicious appetizer is likely unsuitable for gluten-free diets.
If you are able to find gluten-free wonton wrappers, as well as gluten-free vegan chicken tenders, then this recipe would be suitable for gluten-free diets. Otherwise, check out our large collection of gluten-free and vegan recipes! You’re guaranteed to find a new crowd favorite there.
If you’re looking for a few more appetizers to serve alongside them, you can’t go wrong with these popular vegan snacks:
Recipe FAQs
Most large-chain grocery stores now carry vegan-friendly wonton wrappers that are made primarily from wheat flour, water, and salt. Check the refrigerated health food section at your local grocery store. Wonton wrappers are usually stocked near the tofu or other health foods. If not there, they may be in the freezer section, near the pastry dough.
“Chicken” parmesan wonton cups are best served warm fresh from the oven. As they sit, especially once refrigerated, the cups aren’t nearly as crispy. For best results, this appetizer is best prepared right before serving.
Most wonton wrappers are made with wheat, so this delicious appetizer is likely unsuitable for gluten-free diets.
If you are able to find gluten-free wonton wrappers, as well as gluten-free vegan chicken tenders, then this recipe would be suitable for gluten-free diets. Otherwise, check out our large collection of gluten-free and vegan recipes! You’re guaranteed to find a new crowd favorite there.
Storage Instructions
Similar to our Jalapeño Popper Bites, these wonton cups are best served while fresh, but can be refrigerated for 1-2 days.
To reheat, place leftovers in the air fryer or toaster oven and heat through until warm, about 5 minutes.
Quick Tips
- Tent the muffin tin if the wonton cups are browning quickly. Depending on your oven and the brand of wonton wrappers used, they may begin to brown too quickly, particularly during the second bake. If you find this to be the case, you can lightly tent the muffin tin with a piece of aluminum foil to slow the browning and prevent burning.
- Chop the vegan chicken into bites that are about 1/4″ wide. If the chicken is chopped too large, the filling will be difficult to divide evenly.
- Shred your own vegan mozzarella cheese. Similar to dairy-cheeses, pre-shredded vegan mozzarella is typically made with additional additives to prevent the cheese from caking together. If you want you vegan cheese to melt well, purchase a block of vegan mozzarella cheese and shred it really finely yourself. Follow Your Heart, Violife, and Miyoko’s Creamery sell good options.
More Vegan Party Appetizers You May Enjoy:
Appetizers and Sides
Spicy Dairy-Free Mozzarella Sticks
Dips Spreads & Sauces
Creamy Caramelized Onion Dip
Appetizers and Sides
Easy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Vegan Chicken Parmesan Wonton Cups Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups
Description
These Vegan Chicken Parmesan Wonton Cups are the ultimate party appetizer! Swap out the traditional pasta with a crispy wonton cup to make an easy finger food. Everyone loves these savory Italian bites!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 7 oz vegan chicken nuggets/tenders, chopped into small pieces
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- ¾ cup vegan parmesan, divided
- ½ cup vegan mozzarella shreds
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
-
Bake the vegan chicken nuggets. Cook the nuggets or tender according to package instructions. Then, allow the vegan chicken to cool for a few minutes before chopping finely into small pieces.
-
Prep the wonton wrappers. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the wonton wrapper with vegan butter. Press each wrapper into a muffin tin cup, pushing the wrapper down and against the sides to form a cup. Repeat with all 12 wonton wrappers.
-
Bake. Transfer the wonton wrappers to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, set aside until ready to fill.
-
Prepare the vegan chicken parmesan filling. While the wonton cups bake, make the filling. Add the chopped vegan chicken, marinara sauce, and 1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Gently mix everything together until combined.
-
Fill the wonton cups. Evenly spoon the cream cheese mixture into each baked wonton cup. Sprinkle each cup with vegan mozzarella cheese shreds and the remaining vegan parmesan.
-
Bake. Bake the wonton cups for a final 8 minutes.
-
Serve. These parmesan bites are best served while warm topped with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Tent the muffin tin if the wonton cups are browning quickly. Depending on your oven and the brand of wonton wrappers used, they may begin to brown too quickly, particularly during the second bake. If you find this to be the case, you can lightly tent the muffin tin with a piece of aluminum foil to slow the browning and prevent burning.
Chop the vegan chicken into bites that are about 1/4″ wide. If the chicken is chopped too large, the filling will be difficult to divide evenly.
Shred your own vegan mozzarella cheese. Similar to dairy-cheeses, pre-shredded vegan mozzarella is typically made with additional additives to prevent the cheese from caking together. If you want you vegan cheese to melt well, purchase a block of vegan mozzarella cheese and shred it really finely yourself. Follow Your Heart, Violife, and Miyoko’s Creamery sell good options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: snacks
- Method: oven
