General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to enjoy more and stress less. Creating easy-to-make appetizers like General Tso Wonton Cups is one of the ways I really want to achieve this during party planning. I am the type of person that gets so bogged down in the details of party planning that I obsess until I get everything perfect…you can only imagine how that does wonders for my stress levels.
General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad
General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad

I worry so much about the menu and making everything from scratch that I find myself in the kitchen instead of enjoying the party, but this year, I want to change that.

General Tso Wonton Cups
General Tso Wonton Cups

For New Year’s Eve this year, we had people over and I decided to buy some store bought Tyson’s frozen boneless wings. Everyone loved them and it was one less thing I had to make. Imagine my excitement when I realized that I could make that step even easier, by buying the Tyson’s boneless wings already cooked in the deli department at WalMart!

Buying ingredients for General Tso Wonton Cups
Buying ingredients for General Tso Wonton Cups
I have always seen the deli section with the wings but usually just pick up the Rotisserie Chickens there. I didn’t realize that the wings they sell there are good quality Tyson’s chicken! For more info on the deli and what you can get please visit here!

Since this is football party entertaining season, I wanted to create an easy make ahead appetizer using the Tyson’s boneless wings from WalMart.  One of the flavors they offer is General Tso’s which is really different than your normal buffalo or bbq wing. One of our favorite Asian inspired dishes is this crunchy ramen coleslaw, which I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate into the dish.

General Tso Wonton Cups ready to eat
General Tso Wonton Cups ready to eat

After a bit of experimenting, I definitely found a winning recipe!

A crispy wonton cup filled with diced boneless wings and then topped off with the sweet and crunchy ramen salad!

I had my parents over to enjoy these with us and everyone loved them! These are so different than your normal party appetizer and they will go great with any party menu! The best part of these is that you can make the salad and wontons ahead of time, purchase the chicken before your party, and then assemble right before your guests come!

General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad served and ready!
General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad served and ready!

Is your favorite football team still in the running? Whether or not you like the teams, will you be hosting a party for the Big Game? If you are, add these to your menu!

General Tso Won Ton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad

Makes 24 Wonton Cups

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. Tyson’s Boneless General Tso Wings
  • 1 package wonton wrappers
  • 2 packages ramen noodles, flavor pack discarded
  • 1 bag asian salad blend (a mixture of cabbage, cilantro, and almonds, buy regular coleslaw mix and slivered almonds if you can’t find  this)
  • 1/4 cup green onions
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. sugar

Instructions:

  1. To make the salad combine the coleslaw mix and ramen noodles in a large bowl. Break up the ramen noodles with your fingers, leaving some large chunks.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegars, and sugar. Pour dressing over the salad. Refrigerate and cover until ready to serve. Let sit for at least 1 hour so that the noodles can soften.
  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To prepare the wontons, spray 2 12 cup muffin tips with cooking spray.
  4. Lay two wonton wrappers in opposite directions in each cup.
  5. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy. Remove from tin when finished and set aside until ready to serve.
  6. To prepare the cups, chop up the boneless wings into small bite sized pieces.
  7. Put 1 tbsp. of chicken into the bottom of each wonton cup and then top with about 2 tbsp. of the ramen salad.
  8. Garnish with the chopped green onions. Serve and enjoy!

How to Customize and Serve General Tso Wonton Cups with Crunchy Ramen Salad

General Tso Wonton Cups paired with crunchy ramen salad make for an irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and crispy textures. Whether you’re serving this dish as an appetizer, party snack, or part of a fusion-style dinner, there are endless ways to enhance and personalize it. From flavor-boosting add-ins to stylish plating and smart side pairings, here are simple ways to elevate this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Asian side dishes
Asian side dishes

Ingredient Add-Ons for Extra Flavor and Texture

  • Crushed Peanuts or Cashews: Add a nutty crunch to the ramen salad or sprinkle on top of the wonton cups for contrast.
  • Sriracha or Chili Oil: Mix into the General Tso sauce or drizzle over the top for heat lovers.
  • Fresh Herbs: Garnish with cilantro, Thai basil, or scallions to add a burst of color and a layer of brightness.
  • Pineapple Chunks: Introduce a touch of tropical sweetness that complements the tangy General Tso flavor.
  • Pickled Vegetables: Thinly sliced pickled red onions, carrots, or daikon add acidity and balance the richness of the dish.

Ingredient Alternatives for Dietary Preferences

  • Air-Fried or Baked Wonton Wrappers: Cut down on oil by baking or air-frying your wonton cups instead of deep-frying.
  • Cauliflower or Tofu Filling: For a vegetarian twist, substitute the chicken or traditional filling with crispy tofu or roasted cauliflower bites tossed in General Tso sauce.
  • Low-Sodium Ramen: Use low-sodium ramen noodles or swap with soba or rice noodles to reduce salt while keeping crunch.
  • Gluten-Free Wonton Wrappers: Use gluten-free alternatives to make this dish more inclusive for guests with dietary restrictions.
  • Cabbage Slaw Base: Replace ramen entirely with a cabbage and carrot slaw to lower carbs while keeping the texture crisp and refreshing.

Ways to Dress It Up for Presentation

  • Mini Muffin Tin Portions: Serve smaller, bite-sized wonton cups in a mini muffin tin for parties or appetizers.
  • Lettuce Cup Lining: Place each wonton cup on a leaf of butter or romaine lettuce for added crunch and color.
  • Bento Box Style Plating: Present the wonton cups and salad together in individual serving boxes or trays for a modern, organized look.
  • Edible Flowers or Microgreens: Add a gourmet touch by topping each wonton cup with a few microgreens or a delicate edible flower.
  • Layered Salad Jars: Serve the crunchy ramen salad in mason jars with layered veggies and dressing for an eye-catching presentation that’s also portable.
green chili on bowl
Edamame and Shishito Peppers

Great Side Dishes to Pair With

  • Steamed Edamame with Sea Salt: A simple and healthy finger food that balances the bold flavor of the wonton cups.
  • Asian Cucumber Salad: Light, crisp, and refreshing, this side brings a cooling contrast to the warm, spicy main.
  • Fried Rice or Vegetable Lo Mein: Make it a full meal by adding a small portion of fried rice or noodles on the side.
  • Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls: These crispy bites complement the texture of the wonton cups while adding variety to the plate.
  • Hot and Sour Soup: Start the meal with a tangy soup to awaken the palate and tie together the Asian-inspired menu.

With just a few thoughtful touches, your General Tso Wonton Cups and crunchy ramen salad can go from casual snack to party showstopper or weekday dinner favorite. These ideas not only help customize the dish to different tastes and dietary needs but also provide easy ways to boost visual appeal and menu variety.