Crispy Oven-Baked Pork Wonton Stars: The Best Leftover Ham Appetizer!
Transform your leftover ham into something truly spectacular with these incredible Pork Wonton Stars! This versatile dish is a fantastic solution for utilizing holiday ham or any cooked pork, elevating it into a savory appetizer or even a delightful light main course. We’ve perfectly blended beloved takeout flavors and nestled them within crispy, golden-brown wonton wrappers, all achieved with the simplicity of oven-baking. Say goodbye to greasy fried foods and hello to a healthier, yet equally satisfying crunch!
These delightful bites are equally delicious served piping hot from the oven, offering a comforting warmth, or at room temperature, making them ideal for gatherings and meal prepping. For an unforgettable appetizer spread, consider pairing them with our delightful Charcuterie Cups and our popular Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs. Your guests will be asking for the recipe!
⭐ Why You’ll Adore These Pork Wonton Stars
There are countless reasons why Pork Wonton Stars have become a beloved family favorite in our home. From their incredible flavor to their sheer convenience, they truly shine!
A Brilliant Way to Use Leftover Ham
One of the absolute best aspects of preparing these wonton stars is their remarkable ability to transform leftover ham into a completely new and exciting dish. Instead of the same old sandwiches, you can give your ham a delicious second life, preventing food waste and delighting your taste buds. This recipe makes holiday leftovers something to truly look forward to, making it a sustainable and savvy choice for any home cook.
Irresistible Takeout Flavors, Homemade Goodness
Who doesn’t love the familiar and comforting flavors of their favorite takeout? These wontons capture that essence perfectly, offering a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy profile that reminds everyone of their favorite Asian-inspired dishes. Even picky eaters, especially teenagers, are drawn to these flavors, making these Pork Wonton Stars a fantastic way to introduce new textures and ingredients in a fun, approachable format. They’re a crowd-pleaser that satisfies those takeout cravings with a homemade touch.
Oven-Baked for a Healthier Crunch
When you think of wontons, often the first image that comes to mind is deep-fried goodness. However, these Pork Wonton Stars offer all the satisfying crunch without the extra oil and mess of frying. By oven-baking them in miniature muffin tins, you achieve a wonderfully crispy texture that’s lighter and healthier, yet incredibly flavorful. Each bite delivers that delightful crispiness, offering a welcome change from traditional fried wontons.
Perfectly Versatile: Appetizer or Main Dish
Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a family dinner, or looking for a delicious snack, these wonton stars fit the bill. They make an exceptional appetizer, serving as a flavorful prelude to main dishes like Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel or Crusted Chicken Romano. The vibrant flavor combination beautifully complements a variety of entrees, giving your meal that restaurant-quality touch. For smaller families or a quick weeknight meal, they can easily stand alone as a satisfying main course when paired with a fresh salad or simple side.
🥘 Essential Ingredients for Pork Wonton Stars
The beauty of Pork Wonton Stars lies in their straightforward ingredients, which come together quickly to create a rich and flavorful filling. You’ll likely have many of these on hand already!
- Cooked Ham, diced: Approximately one pound. This is your star ingredient, perfect for using up leftovers from a holiday feast.
- Red Pepper: Adds a lovely pop of color, a touch of sweetness, and a fresh crunch.
- Swiss Cheese: Contributes a creamy, slightly nutty flavor that melts beautifully within the filling.
- Sour Cream: Binds the ingredients together and adds a delightful tanginess and moisture.
- Chinese Mustard: Provides a zesty, slightly spicy kick that truly elevates the “takeout” flavor profile. Adjust to your heat preference!
- Wonton Wrappers: The crisp foundation of our “stars,” readily available in most grocery stores.
- Soy Sauce: A key umami enhancer, used both in the butter wash and as a finishing drizzle.
- Green Onions: Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor and a vibrant green garnish.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted for a nutty aroma and a beautiful finish.
- Butter & Garlic Powder: For brushing the wonton wrappers, ensuring a golden, savory crisp.
For a precise list of ingredients and detailed measurements, please scroll down to the full recipe card below.
💭 How to Assemble Your Pork Wonton Stars
Creating these delightful Pork Wonton Stars is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these steps for perfectly crispy, flavorful bites every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Savory Filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine your finely diced cooked ham, chopped white onion, vibrant red pepper, shredded Swiss cheese, creamy sour cream, and the distinctive hot Chinese mustard. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Set this flavorful mixture aside while you prepare your wonton cups.
Pro Tip for Filling: The key to perfectly packed wontons is to dice your ham and red pepper into very small, uniform pieces. This ensures that the filling is consistent, easy to spoon into the small wonton cups, and that every single bite is packed with a balanced mix of all the delicious ingredients. Aim for pieces no larger than a pea!
Step 2: Prepare the Wonton Cups. Lightly spray a miniature muffin cup pan with a non-stick cooking spray like Pam. Carefully press one wonton wrapper into each cup, gently shaping it to form a small cup. Don’t worry if they don’t look perfect – they will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Step 3: Pre-bake and Enhance the Wrappers. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of low-sodium soy sauce. This savory mixture will add depth of flavor and help achieve that golden crispiness. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the inside of each wonton wrapper with this butter mixture. Place the pan in your preheated oven (350°F or 175°C) and bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the edges of the wrappers are very lightly browned and just starting to crisp. This initial bake helps the wrappers hold their shape and become extra crunchy.
Step 4: Fill and Final Bake. Remove the partially baked wonton wrappers from the oven. Now, carefully spoon the prepared ham mixture into each wonton cup, filling them as generously as possible without overflowing. Return the muffin pan to the oven and continue to bake for another 7-9 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the wonton edges are a deep golden brown and visibly crispy. The cheese inside should be melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve. Once baked to perfection, remove the Pork Wonton Stars from the oven. Carefully transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish generously with freshly diced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. For an extra boost of flavor, add a few dashes of additional low-sodium soy sauce over the top. These savory bites are truly delicious served warm from the oven, allowing the cheese to remain gooey and the wrappers extra crispy, or they can be enjoyed at room temperature after they’ve cooled, making them perfect for entertaining.
Pro Tip for Ham Quantity: This recipe is designed to use approximately one pound of diced, cooked leftover ham, which translates to about 3 cups. This is an ideal amount to ensure a hearty and flavorful filling for all 36 wonton stars.
💬 Top Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
To help you achieve the best possible Pork Wonton Stars, here are some helpful tips and answers to common questions:
Wonton wrappers are widely available at most major grocery stores. You’ll typically find them in the refrigerated section, often near other specialty Asian ingredients like tofu, fresh noodles, or produce. They come in thin, square stacks.
Since the ham filling is already cooked, the main goal is to ensure the wonton wrappers are crispy and the filling is heated through. The wrappers bake relatively quickly. Look for them to turn a lovely golden brown around the edges and become visibly crisp. The cheese in the filling should be melted and bubbly, indicating the internal temperature is sufficient.
Absolutely! While leftover ham is fantastic, these wonton stars are incredibly versatile. They are equally delicious with other cooked meats such as diced cooked sausage (breakfast sausage or Italian sausage work well), shredded cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken), or finely diced cooked pork loin. Experiment with your favorite proteins!
Yes, you can! You can prepare the ham filling mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results with crispiness, assemble and bake the wontons just before serving. However, if you need to fully assemble and bake them in advance, they can be gently reheated.
To restore their delightful crispiness, reheat leftover wonton stars in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300-325°F (150-160°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and crisp. Microwaving is not recommended as it will make them soggy.
👩🏻🍳 Storing Leftovers and Meal Prep
Proper storage ensures your Pork Wonton Stars remain fresh and delicious for future enjoyment. After baking, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To store them effectively, allow the wontons to cool completely to room temperature. Then, arrange them in a single layer in a flat, airtight container. If you need to stack multiple layers, place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking and maintain their individual crispness. Always keep them in a covered, airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odors from the refrigerator.
For longer storage, these wonton stars can also be frozen! Once completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen wontons to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat directly from frozen in a preheated oven until hot and crispy.
🍽 Serve as an Appetizer or a Fulfilling Main Course
The versatility of Pork Wonton Stars makes them a truly adaptable dish. They shine brightly as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, perfect for parties, game nights, or any social gathering. Their bite-sized nature and bold flavors make them an instant hit.
However, if you’re serving just a few people or looking for a lighter meal, these wonton stars can easily be elevated to a satisfying main course. Pair them with a fresh, vibrant side dish to create a balanced and delicious meal. Consider a tasty and tangy Mixed Bean Salad for a refreshing contrast, our creamy English Pea Salad for a classic touch, or a light and sweet Sweet Corn Pasta Salad for a summery feel. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would also be an excellent complement.
No matter the occasion, whether as a festive starter or the star of your main entree, the next time you find yourself with a bit of leftover ham on hand, don’t let it go to waste. Give these delightful Pork Wonton Stars a try and discover your new favorite way to enjoy ham!
🍴 More Fantastic Appetizers for Your Next Party
Looking for more inspiration to round out your appetizer spread? Here are some other fantastic starter ideas that are sure to impress your guests and make any family gathering memorable:
- Delicious Crab and Shrimp Dip
- Spiced Walnuts
- Shrimp Cocktail Cups
- Pickle de Gallo Recipe
If you tried Pork Wonton Stars or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Recipe
Pork Wonton Stars
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Ingredients
- 1 lb ham – diced into small bite-sized pieces (ham leftovers work great)
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 red pepper – sliced and diced
- 1 cup swiss cheese – shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons hot Chinese mustard – or any mustard for a milder flavor
- 36 wonton wrappers
- 2 tablespoons butter – melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce, low sodium
- 2 green onions – the green stems sliced thin for garnish
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons additional soy sauce, low sodium – for sprinkling over wontons after baking, to taste
Instructions
Prepare Wonton Wrappers and Filling Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, combine the finely diced ham, chopped white onion, diced red pepper, shredded Swiss cheese, sour cream, and hot Chinese mustard. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Set this flavorful filling aside.
Lightly spray a miniature muffin cup pan with non-stick cooking spray. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, forming a small cup.
Melt Butter, Pre-Bake Wrappers
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce. Whisk until well blended. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush this butter mixture over the inside of each wonton wrapper in the muffin pan. Bake for 8 minutes, or until the wrappers are very lightly browned and beginning to crisp.
Fill Wontons and Bake Again
- Remove the partially baked wonton wrappers from the oven. Carefully spoon the prepared ham mixture into each wonton cup, filling them generously to ensure every bite is flavorful.
Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for an additional 7-9 minutes, or until the filling is heated through, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy.
Once baked, transfer the wonton stars to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly sliced green onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a few dashes of additional low-sodium soy sauce, if desired.
These delightful treats are best served warm from the oven, or they can be enjoyed at room temperature after cooling.
This recipe yields approximately 36 delicious wonton stars.
Notes
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 17g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 52mg
Sodium: 898mg
Potassium: 241mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 628IU
Vitamin C: 16mg
Calcium: 135mg
Iron: 2mg
Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate, not an exact science. Individual results may vary based on exact ingredients and preparation.