Air-Frying Siomai: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Twist

Siomai, a type of dumpling, is a popular dish that can be cooked in various ways, including steaming and frying. For those who are time-crunched or health-conscious, an air fryer offers a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. So, can you cook siomai in an air fryer? The answer is yes! You can cook delicious and healthy siomai in an air fryer by following a few simple steps.

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 180°C

Yes, you can cook siomai in an air fryer. To do this, first preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 180°C. While you are waiting for the air fryer to preheat, brush the siomai surfaces with some oil. This will help to ensure that your siomai cooks evenly and has a delicious, crispy texture. After preheating, place the siomai in the air fryer and set the temperature to 180°C for 10-15 minutes.

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures that your siomai will cook evenly and efficiently once placed in the air fryer. Without preheating, your siomai may cook unevenly, resulting in an undesirable texture and taste. By allowing your air fryer to reach the desired temperature before adding your food, you create a consistent cooking environment that will produce the best results.

Additionally, preheating at 180°C for 5 minutes is a standard practice for many air-fried recipes. This temperature is ideal for cooking a variety of foods, as it strikes a balance between browning and crisping the exterior of your food without burning it. The 5-minute preheat time ensures that the air fryer's cooking chamber is thoroughly heated, providing a stable environment for the cooking process.

Remember, when preheating your air fryer, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines. Each air fryer model may have specific recommendations for preheating, so refer to your user manual or online resources for your particular device. By understanding the preheating process and its importance, you'll be able to cook siomai and many other dishes successfully in your air fryer.

Oil the siomai before air frying

Siomai is usually steamed, so you'll need to add oil to the wrapper to get it crispy as if it were deep-fried. You can brush the surfaces of the siomai with oil and then air fry for 10-15 minutes at 180C. You can put the siomai straight into the air fryer from the freezer, and it should take around 10 minutes to get crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

It's important to oil the siomai before air frying to get that crispy texture and flavour. You can use any type of oil, but a flavourful oil like sesame oil will add an extra dimension to the dish. The amount of oil you use will depend on your preference for crispiness—the more oil you use, the crispier the siomai will be.

You can also experiment with different types of oil to find your favourite. For example, avocado oil has a high smoke point and is flavour-neutral, while extra virgin olive oil has a distinct flavour and is rich in healthy fats.

Oiling the siomai before air frying is a simple step, but it makes all the difference in achieving that perfect, crispy texture. It's a great way to enjoy this delicious dish without the mess and hassle of deep frying. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook siomai, an air fryer is a perfect solution.

Air fry for 10-15 minutes at 180°C

Air frying is a great way to cook siomai, and it only takes 10-15 minutes at 180°C to achieve delicious results. This method is perfect for cooking frozen siomai or for giving your homemade siomai a tasty, golden finish.

Before air frying, it is important to prepare your siomai. If using frozen siomai, ensure they are fully thawed. If making them from scratch, a great recipe to follow includes combining ground pork or beef with vegetables, such as onion, spring onions, carrots, and sesame oil, along with an egg and pepper to taste. Form this mixture into dumplings using wonton wrappers, and you're ready to air fry!

To achieve the best results, preheat your air fryer to 180°C for about 5 minutes. Brush the siomai with a thin layer of oil to help achieve a crispy texture. Then, place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook for 10-15 minutes at 180°C. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook, as the exact timing may vary depending on the size of your siomai and the model of your air fryer.

The siomai is cooked when it turns golden brown and develops a crispy texture. At this point, remove them from the air fryer, and they are ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them as a delicious topping on dishes such as pork chao fan, or enjoy them on their own with your favorite dipping sauces.

Combine ground pork or beef with vegetables and seasoning

Siomai, also known as shumai, shaomai, sui mai, or siew mai, is a popular dish in the Philippines. It is typically made with ground pork or beef, although vegetarian and vegan options are available. To make the traditional meat-based siomai, combine ground pork or beef with vegetables and seasonings. This can include onions, spring onions, carrots, singkamas (a type of turnip), sesame oil, egg, and pepper. You can also add shrimp for extra flavour.

If you are using ground pork, you can also add Knorr SavorRich Pork Liquid Seasoning to enhance the flavour. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, vegan mince made from wheat gluten, almonds, mushrooms, tomato, and soy flour can be used in place of meat. Shiitake mushrooms are also a good option, as they have a mild earthy taste and a texture similar to meat.

When combining the ingredients, it is important to mix them well. You can use your hands to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Once the mixture is ready, you can start assembling the siomai. Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface and put a spoonful of the mixture in the centre. Push the filling down to create a pouch, leaving the top open. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used up.

For an extra crispy texture, you can air-fry the siomai after steaming. Brush the surfaces with oil and air-fry at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes. This will give your siomai a golden, crispy exterior while maintaining the juicy, flavourful filling.

Assemble the siomai with wonton wrappers

Siomai, a type of traditional Chinese dumpling, is made by filling wonton wrappers with a mixture of ground meat and vegetables. The process of assembling the siomai with wonton wrappers is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Start by preparing your wonton wrappers. The wrappers are typically square or circular, made from a thin dough, and can be found in the frozen section of grocery stores. They come in different varieties, such as the Twin Marquis HK Style Wonton Wrapper or Wei-Chuan Wonton Wrappers, each with its unique flavour and thickness. Defrost the wrappers before use, as this will make it easier to separate them.

Once you have your filling and wrappers ready, it's time to assemble. Using your index finger and thumb, hold a wonton wrapper. Place a spoonful of the filling mixture in the centre of the wrapper. The key is to add enough filling to create a small ball that can be fully encased by the wrapper. Use your thumb to push down on the filling and create a pouch, leaving the top open.

Repeat this process until you have used up all your filling or made the desired number of siomai. Remember, the filling should be proportionate to the size of the wrapper, ensuring that each bite of the siomai offers a balanced taste of both the wrapper and the filling.

Finally, before cooking your siomai, prevent them from sticking to the steamer basket by creating a barrier. You can brush the basket with oil or line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves.

Frequently asked questions