Cozy Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe, Made Simple
If you love sushi but crave a playful twist, you’re in for a treat with this Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe. It’s like sushi met its crispy, golden soulmate, wrapped up in a buttery wonton cone that’s begging to be picked up and savored.
I love how these cones bring together the lush creaminess of avocado, the fresh bite of sushi-grade tuna, and that perfect sticky sushi rice — all nestled inside a toasty, crisp cone. It’s comfort food with a refined edge that’s surprisingly approachable for home cooks.
Whether you’re looking to impress company or just elevate your weekend cooking, this recipe gives you a fresh way to enjoy sushi flavors without fussing with rolling mats. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable to suit your cravings.
What Makes This Recipe Special
- Balanced flavors: Sweet, rich, and thoughtfully textured.
- Friendly technique: Clear steps built for home success.
- Easy to personalize: Swap in seasonal twists without stress.
- Make-ahead smart: Prep components to save time on busy days.
Ingredient Lowdown
- Wonton wrappers: These form the crunchy cones — thinner than spring roll wrappers for that perfect crisp.
- Coconut oil (for frying): Adds a subtle sweetness and withstands high heat nicely for golden frying.
- Sushi rice: Short-grain and sticky, essential for that authentic sushi mouthfeel.
- Rice vinegar: Gives the rice its classic tang and balance.
- Sugar & salt: Season and round out the sushi rice perfectly.
- Avocado: Creamy richness that softens the texture contrast.
- Tuna steak (sushi-grade): Adds fresh, buttery protein — buy the freshest you can for safety and flavor.
- Kewpie mayonnaise: Silky, slightly sweet mayo that elevates the filling with umami.
- Tomato ketchup or sauce: Brings a subtle sweetness and tang, balancing the richness.
- Sriracha (optional): A gentle heat kick that livens up the bites.
- Lime zest: Adds bright, citrusy fragrance to liven up the whole dish.
- Furikake or black sesame seeds (for garnish): Adds an inviting crunch and visual appeal.
Set Up for Success
Before you dive in, get all your ingredients measured and prepped — this mise en place makes the whole process smooth as silk. Cook your sushi rice ahead, ideally letting it cool so it’s easier to handle. Have your frying oil heated just right — about 350°F if you have a thermometer, so your wonton cones crisp beautifully without absorbing too much oil.
Tools & Kitchen Gear
Helpful tools that make this Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe smooth from start to finish—plus optional extras for efficiency and precision.
Step-by-Step: Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe
- Prepare the sushi rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cook it according to package directions or your favorite method. While still warm, gently fold in the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt mixture. Let the rice cool to near room temperature, then fluff it; you want it sticky but not mushy.
- Shape the wonton cones: Carefully wrap wonton wrappers around cone-shaped molds or DIY cones made from foil. Make sure to seal the edges well to avoid oil leaking during frying. Dip your finger in water and moisten the edges as your “glue.” This part is crucial for toasty, perfectly formed cones — I find it helps to press firmly but gently.
- Fry the cones: Heat coconut oil in a deep pan to about 350°F (175°C). Fry each cone for 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally to get an even golden brown and crispy shell. Drain on paper towels immediately to keep them crisp. The coconut oil lends a slight sweetness and its high smoke point ensures crunchy, light cones.
- Prepare the filling: Dice fresh tuna into small, bite-sized pieces. Cube avocado similarly. In a bowl, gently mix the tuna with a spoonful of Kewpie mayonnaise, a splash of ketchup, lime zest, and sriracha if you like some heat. This creamy, tangy filling complements the crispy shell beautifully.
- Assemble your cones: Spoon a bit of sushi rice into each crispy cone first, gently pressing it down. Then add the creamy tuna-avocado mixture on top. Garnish with furikake or toasted black sesame seeds for that final toasty crunch and an extra layer of umami flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the satisfying crispness of the cone juxtaposed with the tender filling.
Chef’s Notes & Success Tips
Keep your hands damp while handling the sushi rice to prevent sticking. Also, don’t overfill the cones or they’ll lose their structural crispness quickly. Fry the cones just until golden — going darker may introduce bitterness. Using sushi-grade tuna is key for freshness and food safety.
Flavor Twists for Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe
- Swap tuna for cooked shrimp or crab for a sweeter, shellfish version.
- Add pickled ginger slices or thin cucumber ribbons for added brightness and crunch.
- Mix in diced mango or pineapple for a tropical sweet bite.
- Try a drizzle of unagi sauce or a sprinkle of togarashi for smoky spice.
- Substitute avocado with cream cheese for a richer, tangy creaminess.
- For a veggie-forward option, fill cones with marinated shiitake mushrooms and shredded carrot.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Rice: Cook and season sushi rice up to a day ahead; keep covered at room temperature or lightly airtight in the fridge. Refluff before using.
- Cones: Fry wonton cones just before serving for ultimate crispness. If needed, store cooled cones airtight at room temp for a day but avoid humidity.
- Filling: Mix tuna with mayo dressing just before assembling to preserve freshness.
- Assembling: Assemble cones right before eating to keep shells from getting soggy.
- Freezing: Not recommended for wonton cones or sushi rice due to texture loss.
Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe FAQs
- Can I bake the wonton cones instead of frying? Baking is possible but typically results in less crisp cones. Frying yields that signature toasty crunch worth the little extra effort.
- Is it necessary to use sushi-grade tuna? Yes, for safety and taste. Sushi-grade is fresh and handled to be eaten raw without worry.
- What type of rice vinegar works best? Mild seasoned rice vinegar is best, but you can use plain seasoned rice vinegar mixed with sugar and salt if unavailable.
- Can I make this vegan-friendly? Absolutely! Swap tuna for marinated tofu or crunchy veggies and use vegan mayo for the creamy filling.
- How do I keep the wonton cones from breaking? Be gentle shaping them and fry promptly after shaping to harden their structure before filling.
Creative Sushi Wonton Cones Recipe
Creative Sushi Wonton Cones offer a fun and inventive twist on traditional sushi by combining crispy fried wonton wrappers shaped into cones filled with classic sushi ingredients like seasoned sushi rice, fresh tuna, creamy avocado, and a spicy Kewpie mayo sauce. These handheld sushi cones are perfect for parties or an elegant appetizer, easily customizable with garnishes such as furikake or black sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sushi wonton cones
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese Fusion
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Wonton Cones
- Wonton wrappers – 12 sheets
- Coconut oil (for frying) – 2 cups, enough for deep frying
Sushi Rice
- Sushi rice (short-grain) – 1 cup
- Rice vinegar – 2 tablespoons
- Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
Filling
- Avocado – 1 medium, sliced
- Tuna steak (sushi-grade) – 6 ounces, diced
Sauces & Garnishes
- Kewpie mayonnaise – 3 tablespoons
- Tomato ketchup or sauce – 1 tablespoon
- Sriracha (optional) – 1 teaspoon
- Lime zest – 1 teaspoon
- Furikake or black sesame seeds – 1 teaspoon for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sushi Rice: Rinse 1 cup of sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package instructions or in a rice cooker. While the rice is still warm, gently fold in a mixture of 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until well combined. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Shape and Fry the Wonton Cones: Carefully shape each wonton wrapper into a cone shape using cone molds or by hand. Heat coconut oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the wonton cones in batches until golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels, allowing them to cool and harden.
- Prepare the Filling Ingredients: Dice the sushi-grade tuna steak into small cubes. Slice the avocado into thin pieces. In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of Kewpie mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional) and lime zest to create the spicy mayo sauce.
- Assemble the Cones: Spoon a layer of seasoned sushi rice inside each crispy wonton cone. Add a few pieces of diced tuna and slices of avocado on top. Drizzle with the prepared spicy mayo sauce. Garnish with a sprinkle of furikake or black sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Arrange the sushi wonton cones on a serving platter immediately to maintain crispiness. Enjoy as an appetizer or a creative sushi-inspired snack.
Notes
- Use sushi-grade tuna for the freshest and safest raw fish experience.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spice level to your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute tuna with cucumber or marinated mushrooms.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying the wonton wrappers to avoid soggy cones.
- Prepare and assemble the cones shortly before serving to keep the wonton shells crispy.
