Air Fryer Potstickers: How Long Until They're Perfect?

Air fryers are a great way to make potstickers, also known as dumplings, with a crispy exterior and juicy filling. The cooking time varies depending on the type of air fryer and the desired level of crispiness, but generally, it takes around 5-15 minutes at a temperature of 350-400°F. Frozen potstickers can be cooked straight from the freezer, and it is important to ensure they are in a single layer with space between each dumpling for even cooking. Additionally, spraying oil on the potstickers helps to achieve the desired crispiness.

Oil spray is essential to prevent sticking and ensure dumplings are crispy and brown

Oil spray is essential when making dumplings in an air fryer to prevent sticking and ensure they emerge crispy and brown.

Firstly, oil spray helps to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the air fryer basket. This is important because, without it, the dumplings are likely to tear when you try to remove them, and they won't achieve that desirable crispy texture.

Secondly, oil spray helps to ensure the dumplings turn golden brown and crispy. While it is possible to air fry dumplings without oil, they will not achieve the same level of crispness and colour. The oil spray also helps to keep the dumplings moist, preventing them from drying out and becoming pasty.

When using an air fryer, it is best to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, avocado, coconut, or vegetable oil. Olive oil can also be used, but it has a lower smoke point, so it may not be suitable for all air fryers, depending on their temperature settings.

To use the oil spray effectively, coat the dumplings thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are evenly coated, and pay attention to ensure there are no uncoated spots. You can also spray the dumplings with oil during the cooking process if they start to look dry.

In addition to oil spray, it is important to ensure that the dumplings are not overcrowded in the basket and that they are cooked in a single layer, with space between each dumpling. This will help ensure even cooking and allow the hot air to circulate properly.

By following these tips and using oil spray, you can ensure that your dumplings turn out perfectly crispy and brown every time!

Dumplings should be cooked in a single layer with space between each one

When cooking dumplings in an air fryer, it is important to arrange them in a single layer with space between each one. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate around each dumpling to ensure even cooking. If dumplings are stacked or crowded together, they are likely to come out unevenly cooked, with some burnt and others undercooked.

It is also worth noting that not all air fryers work the same way, so it is important to keep an eye on your dumplings as they cook. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. As a general rule, dumplings should be cooked at around 375°F (190°C) for 8-14 minutes, but this may vary depending on the size of your dumplings and the specifications of your air fryer.

To get the best results, it is recommended to coat the dumplings with oil before cooking. This will help them to crisp up and turn a golden brown colour. You can use a variety of different oils, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, or a simple cooking spray.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-400 °F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your potstickers cook evenly and turn out crispy and golden brown. While not all air fryers require preheating, it is generally recommended, especially if you want that extra crunch. Here's a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer to 350-400 °F for cooking potstickers:

• Turn on your air fryer and ensure it is clean and ready to use.
• If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set the temperature to 350-400 °F, and wait for the preheat light to go off.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, manually set the temperature to 350-400 °F and let it heat up for 3 to 5 minutes.
• During preheating, you can prepare your potstickers by placing them on a plate and bringing them to room temperature. This ensures they cook evenly and don't stick to the air fryer basket.
• After preheating, carefully place the potstickers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Lightly spray the potstickers with oil to help them get that crispy, golden brown finish. You can use avocado oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, or any other cooking oil of your choice.
• Now, you're ready to start cooking your potstickers! Set the timer and temperature according to your recipe, typically around 350-400 °F, and let them cook until they are golden brown and crispy.
• For best results, remember to flip your potstickers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• Once they're done, carefully remove the potstickers from the air fryer and enjoy them hot with your favorite dipping sauce!

Preheating your air fryer to 350-400 °F is an important step in the potsticker cooking process. It ensures your potstickers cook evenly and helps achieve that desired crispy texture. So, the next time you're making potstickers in your air fryer, don't skip the preheat step!

Cooking time is around 10 minutes, flipping halfway through

Cooking potstickers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy texture without the excess oil and calories of deep frying. The cooking time is around 10 minutes, flipping the potstickers halfway through. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature to ensure your potstickers get crispy without burning or drying out. You can also cook them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but be mindful that they may need a little longer to cook.

Next, place your frozen potstickers in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer, with a little space between each one, so that they cook evenly. You can cook as many as will fit in a single layer, but don't stack them.

Now, spray the potstickers with oil. This is an important step as it ensures they don't dry out and get that nice crispy texture. Use an oil spray or brush the oil on if you don't have a spray.

Close the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. Then, open the air fryer and flip the potstickers. You can also shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly. Spray with a little more oil if needed.

Finally, cook for another 4-6 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. The total cooking time should be around 10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the brand of potstickers you are using.

You can serve your air-fried potstickers with a dipping sauce. Try something simple like soy sauce, or make a more complex sauce with ingredients like soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

And that's it! A quick, easy, and delicious way to cook potstickers with minimal oil and mess.

You can cook frozen dumplings from most brands

Yes, you can cook frozen dumplings from most brands in an air fryer. This includes popular brands like Ling Ling, Tai Pei, Trader Joe's Frozen Gyoza, and Costco dumplings.

To cook frozen dumplings in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370–400 °F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and personal preference for how crispy you like your dumplings.

Step 2: Prepare the Dumplings

Place the frozen dumplings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Spray or brush the dumplings with a thin coat of oil. You can use cooking spray, an oil mister, or simply oil your hands and rub the dumplings.

Step 3: Air Fry the Dumplings

Air fry the dumplings for 5 minutes, then flip them over and add a little more oil if needed. Continue cooking for an additional 4–6 minutes until they are golden brown. The total cooking time will be around 9–15 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired crispiness.

Step 4: Serve

Remove the dumplings from the air fryer and let them sit for a couple of minutes before serving. You can serve them with a dipping sauce, such as a mixture of soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and number of dumplings, as well as the specific model of your air fryer. Always keep an eye on your dumplings to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Frequently asked questions