Air-Frying Gyozas: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Gyoza is a Japanese dumpling, usually steamed, with a thin dough wrapper and a variety of fillings, including vegetables, meat, and seafood. Gyoza can be cooked in an air fryer, and doing so is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare the dish. Air-fried gyoza has a deliciously crispy texture and can be prepared in under 15 minutes. To cook gyoza in an air fryer, it is recommended to use frozen gyoza, coat them in oil, and cook them in batches in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Gyoza fillings

Gyoza is a Japanese variety of dumplings that are smaller in size than potstickers. They are usually filled with a mixture of meat or vegetables. The filling for gyoza can be a finely minced mixture of just about anything you want, as long as it's not too wet.

• For a classic combo, you can use ground pork with Napa cabbage, garlic, ginger, and nira (Japanese garlic chives).
• If you want to add more vegetables, you can include spinach, carrots, and aromatics.
• Other meat options include lamb and mint, confit duck, or shrimp with cream cheese.
• For a vegetarian option, you can use eggs, tofu, or a combination of vegetables such as shiitake mushrooms and cabbage.
• Beijing-style gyoza fillings include pork and Chinese leek.
• In the coastal province of Shandong, gyoza are filled with Spanish mackerel.
• Cantonese dim sum gyoza are filled with prawns, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.
• In the Chinese Muslim community, lamb dumplings are popular, usually paired with carrots or Chinese cabbage.

When preparing meat-based fillings, it is important to ensure that they are moist and juicy. This can be achieved by including fat content, such as no less than 20% fat for pork fillings. If you prefer non-animal fat, you can add cooking oil like rapeseed or sunflower oil. Additionally, kneading the filling helps to give it a better structure and ensures that the filling stays moist.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking gyozas in an air fryer depend on the type of gyoza and the model of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook gyozas from frozen, as cooking them from fresh may cause them to overcook.

For Trader Joe's Pork Gyoza Potstickers, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Then, place the gyozas in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching, and air fry for 7 minutes. After that, flip the gyozas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until they are golden brown.

For other brands of frozen gyozas, it is recommended to air fry at a temperature of 350°F. Brush the air fryer basket with oil, and then place the gyozas in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate. Air fry for 2-4 minutes at 350°F, and then flip them over halfway through cooking. The total cooking time for frozen gyozas is typically between 6 and 10 minutes, depending on the size of the dumplings and the air fryer model.

If using fresh or thawed gyozas, reduce the cooking time to 3-5 minutes. For homemade gyozas, it is recommended to cook for just 3 minutes on each side.

Gyoza cooking techniques

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings that are made with a thin dough wrapper and stuffed with various fillings, such as vegetables, meat, or seafood. They can be cooked in an air fryer and are known to turn out crispy and delicious. Here are some tips and techniques for cooking gyoza in an air fryer:

Preheating the Air Fryer:

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the gyoza. Preheat at 350°F (180°C) or 400°F for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and shortens the overall cook time.

Preparing the Gyoza:

Use frozen gyoza straight from the freezer. Do not thaw or defrost them beforehand. Place the gyoza in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Leave some space between the dumplings to allow hot air to circulate. If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, consider lining it with parchment paper or aluminium foil with holes poked in them to allow air circulation.

Oil:

Lightly coat the gyoza and the air fryer basket with oil. You can use a cooking spray, such as olive oil spray, or brush the oil on with a pastry brush. Avocado oil is also recommended due to its high smoke point. Oiling the gyoza will help them achieve a crispy texture and prevent them from drying out.

Cooking Time and Temperature:

The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size of your dumplings and the model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook the gyoza at 350°F (180°C) for 6-8 minutes, then check if they are cooked through. If not, add another 2-3 minutes. Flip the gyoza halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Serving:

Gyoza cooked in the air fryer are best served hot and fresh. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and optional chilli flakes for a spicy kick.

Gyoza cooking oils

Gyoza are Japanese pan-fried dumplings that are crisp and golden on the bottom and juicy inside. They are usually filled with meat, but can also be vegetarian.

When cooking gyoza in an air fryer, you can use a small amount of oil sprinkled on top of the food. Olive oil spray is recommended as it doesn't leave a residue in the air fryer. You can also use a neutral oil, such as grapeseed oil, or sesame oil. If you want to make a sauce to serve with the gyoza, you can use sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, with the option of adding Japanese chili oil.

If you are pan-frying gyoza, you will need a lidded 10-inch nonstick pan or a well-seasoned carbon steel pan. Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in the pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the gyoza in the pan, flat side down, in a single layer, making sure they don't touch. Cook until the bottom turns golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add 4 tablespoons of water to the pan, cover with a lid, and steam the gyoza for about 3 minutes or until most of the water evaporates. Uncover the pan and cook until the gyoza is browned and crisp on the bottom.

Gyoza serving suggestions

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings that can be cooked from frozen in an air fryer in under 10 minutes. They are a great appetizer, meal, or side dish.

Serving suggestions:

• Gyoza are often served with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or black vinegar.
• They can be served with a vegetable stir-fry, including onions, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, and sugar snap peas, flavored with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
• Gyoza are well-suited to being served with fried rice. This can include egg, veggies, meat, green onions, and soy sauce.
• If serving with prawn gyoza, a Japanese curry is a good option.
• For a lighter option, seaweed salads are a popular choice to serve with prawn gyoza.
• For a Thai twist, serve with instant pot coconut rice.
• For a healthier option, cauliflower fried rice is a low-carb alternative to traditional fried rice.
• Gyoza can be served as part of a buffet, accompanied by Japanese potato salad, which is made with a dressing of rice wine vinegar, Japanese mayonnaise, and mustard.

Frequently asked questions