Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil (Hong You Chao Shou)

Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil is my favorite way to eat wontons! Wontons served in a super flavorful sauce made of chili oil, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and more!

Jump to:

• About the Dish
• About the Ingredients
• How to make Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil
• Storage & Reheating Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil Sauce
• Pin for later!
• More Delicious Spicy Asian Recipes!

About the Dish

In Chinese, Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil is called Hong You Chao Shou (红油抄手). This dish originates from Sichuan province. The flavors of the dish is a perfect balance of spiciness, savory, umami, tanginess, and a little bit of sweetness.

About the Ingredients

Here's some extra info about the ingredients you may find helpful:

Wontons - You can buy store bought if you want to save time, but homemade wontons are so delicious! We usually make a whole batch of it and then freeze it so we have wontons whenever we want. Here is how to make your own tasty wontons at home!

Chili oil - The kind of chili oil you want to use Sichuan chili oil if possible. It is usually made with chili flakes and Sichuan peppercorn. You can use other types of chili oil as well or make your own (super easy).

Soy sauce - Soy sauce adds the savory flavor to the dish. Regular light soy sauce will work.

Rice Vinegar - Some tanginess to offset the heat! You can use rice vinegar, or even better Chinkiang black vinegar if you can find it. But I usually have rice vinegar in the house so that's what I use.

Sesame oil - adds a nutty richness.

Sugar - This is to balance out the sourness from the vinegar. Don't skip it!

Garlic and green onions - Adds delicious aromatics to the dish.

How to make Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil

First gather your ingredients:

• 20 wontons of choice (store bought or homemade)
• 3 tablespoons Sichuan chili oil (with chili flakes) or hot chili oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (or Chinkiang black vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Chopped green onions (optional)

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and gently add wontons in water. The wontons will sink to the bottom.

Allow wontons to cook until the wontons are floating, allow it to cook another 1-2 minutes. Then remove wontons from pot with slotted spoon and place in bowls.

In a mixing bowl, combine the chili oil, minced garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Mix well.

Pour the sauce over cooked wontons.

Garnish with chopped green onions if using, and serve!

Here's a video of it!

@ohsnapletseat

Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil 🌶️ Tasty wontons drenched in chili oil, garlic, and savory sauce… spicy, slurpable, and seriously addictive!! This is the kind of dish you keep thinking about after the last bite. 🥰🥰🥰 Full recipe link in bio! #SpicyWontons #ChiliOil #AsianFood #WontonLovers #FoodTok

♬ som original - Juliano Campos

Storage & Reheating Tips

How to Store Leftovers

• Wontons:
  Cooked wontons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Uncooked Wontons:
  Homemade or store-bought uncooked wontons freeze beautifully. Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months.

How to Reheat

• Stovetop (Best):
  Bring a small pot of water to a gentle boil. Add wontons and heat for 1-2 minutes, just until warmed through. Drain and toss with sauce.
• Microwave:
  Place wontons in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water. Cover loosely and heat in 20-30 second intervals until warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the chili oil sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. Cook wontons fresh for the best texture, or reheat gently if already cooked.

What kind of chili oil should I use?

Sichuan chili oil is traditional and gives the best flavor thanks to Sichuan peppercorns. That said, any chili oil you enjoy will work, or you can make your own.

How spicy is this dish?

It's medium-spicy as written, but very easy to adjust. Use less chili oil for mild, or add more (or extra chili flakes) for more heat.

Can I use frozen wontons?

Absolutely. Frozen wontons can be cooked straight from frozen-just add 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes. Use vegetable-filled wontons or dumplings and swap soy sauce for a vegetarian version if needed.

Why do my wontons fall apart?

This usually happens if the water is boiling too aggressively or the wontons are overcooked. Keep the water at a gentle boil and remove them shortly after they float.

Pin for later!

More Delicious Spicy Asian Recipes!

If you love bold, spicy flavors, here are more recipes you'll want to try next:

• Spicy Kimchi Pork Stir Fry with Gochujang
  Packed with sliced pork, kimchi, gochujang, and gochugaru for a fiery Korean-style stir fry. Done in under 20 minutes!
• Jalapeño Chicken Stir Fry
  Juicy chicken thighs stir-fried with jalapeños, garlic, and chili bean paste for a quick and spicy kick. One of my all-time favorites!
• Garlic Chili Crisp Salmon
  Pan-seared salmon topped with spicy chili crisp, garlic, and soy sauce. Super easy and full of flavor.
• Spicy Sichuan Chicken Stir Fry
  Tender marinated chicken stir-fried with smashed garlic, dried red chilies, chili bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. Fiery, tingly, garlicky goodness!