Tea Blog

As the holiday entertaining season begins, many hosts find themselves asking the same questions: What should I bring? What should I serve? And how can I make something memorable without spending days in the kitchen?

As the holiday entertaining season begins, many hosts find themselvesstrong> provide a festive answer. Filled with a vibrant green mixture of arugula, almonds, cheeses, and green tea, then paired with a bright orange spicy dipping sauce, they’re perfectly suited for Halloween parties, autumn gatherings, and seasonal celebrations.

Crispy on the outside and rich, savory, and flavorful on the inside, these tea-infused wontons offer a creative way to incorporate tea into party appetizers while embracing the classic colors of the season.

Why Add Tea to Savory Appetizers?

Tea isn’t limited to desserts and beverages.

Green tea can add subtle complexity to savory dishes, complementing vegetables, herbs, nuts, and cheeses without dominating the flavor profile.

In this recipe, the tea contributes:

• Light vegetal notes
• Additional depth of flavor
• A subtle connection to the arugula filling
• An unexpected gourmet touch

Combined with toasted almonds, Parmesan, mozzarella, and olive oil, the result is a filling that is both rich and fresh.

Ingredients

For the Tea Filling

• ¾ cup sliced blanched almonds
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2½ cups arugula
• 1 teaspoon green tea
• ¼ cup simmering water
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg yolk
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 package egg roll wrappers

For the Egg Wash

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

For Frying

• 3 cups corn oil

For the Spicy Orange Dipping Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha hot sauce
• ¼ teaspoon soy sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon rice vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Green Tea Filling

1. Steep the green tea in ¼ cup of hot water for 4 minutes.
2. Strain and set aside.

Place the following ingredients into a food processor:

• Almonds
• Parmesan cheese
• Arugula
• Salt
• Pepper

Pulse until the mixture becomes finely pureed.

Add:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Egg yolk

Continue blending while slowly streaming in the olive oil, followed by the brewed tea.

Process until the filling is thoroughly combined and smooth.

Step 2: Prepare the Wrappers

Cut each egg roll wrapper into four equal squares.

This creates bite-sized wontons that are ideal for parties and appetizer trays.

Step 3: Make the Egg Wash

Whisk together:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

The egg wash helps seal the wontons and prevents the filling from escaping during frying.

Step 4: Assemble the Wontons

1. Place approximately 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper square.
2. Lightly brush two adjoining edges with the egg wash.
3. Fold the opposite corner over to create a triangle.
4. Press firmly to seal.
5. Remove as much trapped air as possible.

Avoid getting filling on the edges, as this can prevent a proper seal and allow the filling to leak during cooking.

Continue assembling until all filling has been used.

Step 5: Fry the Wontons

1. Heat the corn oil in a medium saucepan to approximately 375°F (190°C).
2. Carefully lower a few wontons into the oil.
3. Fry for about 45 seconds per side or until golden brown.
4. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Work in batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain a consistent oil temperature.

The finished wontons should be crisp, golden, and lightly puffed.

Step 6: Prepare the Dipping Sauce

Combine the following ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Sriracha
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar

Whisk until smooth.

The creamy orange sauce provides a flavorful contrast to the savory green filling while enhancing the Halloween color theme.

Serving Suggestions

These festive wontons are ideal for:

• Halloween parties
• Autumn gatherings
• Game-day celebrations
• Holiday appetizer buffets
• Tea-themed entertaining

Pair them with:

• Green Tea
• Jasmine Green Tea
• Genmaicha
• Light Oolong Tea
• Sparkling beverages

The tea pairings complement the herbal and nutty character of the filling while balancing the richness of the fried wontons.

Make-Ahead Tips

To simplify party preparation:

• Prepare the filling a day in advance.
• Assemble the wontons several hours before frying.
• Store covered in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the dipping sauce up to two days ahead.

This allows you to focus on hosting rather than last-minute cooking.

Yield

Serves approximately 15–18 people

The Bottom Line

Halloween Tea Wontons are a unique and festive appetizer that combines green tea, arugula, almonds, and cheese inside a crispy golden wrapper.

The vibrant green filling and spicy orange dipping sauce make them especially suitable for Halloween celebrations, while their sophisticated flavor ensures they’ll appeal to guests long after the holiday ends.

Whether served as a party snack, appetizer, or tea-inspired entertaining dish, these savory wontons are a creative way to bring a little tea magic to the holiday season.

See more of Janet Sanchez’s articles in this archive of tea recipes, baking articles, and tea-inspired cooking features.

© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog, 2009–2014. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Excerpts may be used with proper credit and links to the original content.