Whether you’re looking for a simple snack or want something to serve a crowd, you can’t go wrong with these takeout favorites! Try these make-at-home versions of popular Chinese appetizers, including wontons, egg rolls, Chinese chicken wings, crab rangoons, Chinese spareribs and more. Also includes homemade versions of popular sauces.
If I could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of my life, it would be Chinese food! I just can’t get enough of the flavorful stir fries, spicy noodle dishes and those delicious Chinese appetizers.
I’ll take pork fried wontons, cold sesame noodles and cream cheese wontons over pizza and tacos anyday!
If you love Chinese appetizers as much as I do, you’ll love these 36 takeout recipes you can make at home. You’ll enjoy these make-at-home versions of Chinese restaurant favorites like egg rolls, potstickers and dumplings, as well as recipes for the slow cooker, air fryer and Instant Pot.
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There are also keto-friendly, low-carb, vegetarian and healthy recipes for popular appetizers and starters.
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Wontons & Dumplings
There are so many different ways to prepare wontons and dumplings and so many different fillings you can make.
I’m a big fan of crispy wontons, and I’ve experimented with deep frying them and air frying them. Verdict: you can’t go wrong either way!
And don’t forget about steamed dumplings. They make a great first course or party appetizer, or you can make them a meal. Dumplings can be filled with tofu, vegtables, pork, chicken or another meat, and they’re great paired with wonton dipping sauce or sweet and spicy sauce.
Looking for more recipe inspiration. Don’t miss these 100+ ways to cook with wonton wrappers.
Homemade Potstickers
Potstickers are another popular Chinese dumpling appetizer, usually filled with ground pork or chicken, vegetables or shrimp.
Potstickers are similar to steamed dumplings, but they have a crispy exterior. They’re typically pan fried until brown, then steamed under cover in a little bit of water.
Try one of these homemade potsticker recipes, including a vegetarian version filled with tofu and vegetables. And did you know you can make potstickers in an Instant Pot, from start to finish?
Chinese Cauliflower Appetizers
Looking for meat-free version of your favorite Chinese foods?
Cauliflower is a popular substitute for chicken, shrimp and meat. Its nooks and crannies are particularly suited for sticky, saucy sauces such as General Tso’s, Bang Bang and Sesame.
You won’t even miss the meat!
Egg Roll and Spring Roll Recipes
Is it even takeout without an egg roll or a spring roll?
The next time a craving hits, try one of these homemade egg roll recipes. Did you know you can use pre-shredded coleslaw mix to make the filling?
Egg rolls can be deep fried in peanut oil, cooked in air fryer or baked in the oven.
And if you’re looking for a healthier roll, try a fresh spring roll with peanut dipping sauce. They’re one of my favorite appetizers to order at an Asian restaurant.
Shrimp Appetizers
I always gravitate to the shrimp dishes when I order Chinese takeout. There are just so many delicious options!
You’ll also find many different types of shrimp appetizers on the menu at Chinese restaurants. These include traditional shrimp toast and crispy, spicy bang-bang shrimp.
Enjoy these make-at-home versions.
Chinese Chicken Wings & Chicken Appetizers
Chicken wings and other chicken dishes are staples on Chinese takeout menus.
You’ll love these delicious, homemade versions, including crispy low-carb terayaki wings and slow cooker sweet and spicy wings cooked in a Crock-Pot.
There’s also a homemade version of PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps that can be served as an appetizer or a main course.
Chinese Ribs & Spareribs
Whether you prefer meatier baby back ribs or authentic Chinese-style spare ribs, you can’t go wrong with these starters that are hearty enough to be served as a meal!
Be sure to grab lots of napkins! Ribs can be messy to eat, but the bold flavors more than make up for that.
Meatball Appetizers
Meatballs are great to serve at parties because it’s easy to make a large batch of them.
Many of these meatball recipes can kept warm in a slow cooker, which really gives the flavors time to develop.
These meatball appetizer recipes are so versatile. You can make pork, chicken or beef meatballs from scratch or use frozen ones as a shortcut.
Meatballs pair well with lots of different sauces — spicy, sweet, teriyaki, orange and more.
No wonder they’re such a popular party appetizer.
Cream Cheese Wontons & Crab Rangoons
Baked, air fryed or deep fried — you definitely have options when you’re preparing cream cheese wontons or crab rangoons.
Crispy on the outside with a delicious, creamy filling, they’re best served warm.
Cream cheese wontons generally have a slightly sweet filling made with sweetened cream cheese and green onions. I like to serve them with this quick and easy wonton dipping sauce.
Crab rangoons can be sweet or savory, filled with a crab and cream cheese mixture. They’re delicious with homemade sweet and sour sauce.
More Chinese Appetizers
Veggies, skewers, classic soups — there are so many other types of Chinese appetizers.
Even if you have your go-to favorites, like egg rolls and wontons, you may want to expand your palate with these other flavorful Chinese appetizers.
Chinese Takeout Sauces
The sauces are a big part of the flavor experience when you eat Chinese food.
Give me all the Chinese hot mustard, sweet and sour sauce, chili garlic sauce, wonton dipping sauce, duck sauce and sriracha sauce, please! But sometimes those little sauce packets that come with your takeout order just don’t cut it.
I still remember the first time I had the house-made hot mustard from our favorite local Chinese takeout. That sinus-clearing mustard was so good!
Once you try these homemade Chinese takeout sauces, you won’t go back to the little packets or the store-bought versions again.
Pin This! Best Chinese Appetizers to Make at Home
Bliss
We have specialties in our family. There is someone who does egg rolls, we have a pot sticker queen as well as an egg foo young maker with a side of wontons. But there is always room for new recipes and to tweak the others. Pinned!