Air Fryer Pot Stickers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook potstickers, dumplings, and gyoza, giving them a crispy texture without the excess oil and calories of deep-frying. They can be made with frozen or homemade wrappers and a variety of fillings, including chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, and vegetables. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model and the type of dumpling, but generally, they are ready in under 15 minutes, making them a quick and easy snack or appetizer.

How to cook frozen pot stickers in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the air fryer basket

Brush oil or spray oil onto the air fryer basket. Arrange the pot stickers so that they don't touch each other or the sides of the basket. This allows for the best airflow.

Step 2: Air fry the pot stickers

Air fry the pot stickers at 370-380°F for 5 minutes. Give the basket a gentle shake and continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them.

Step 3: Serve

Allow the pot stickers to cool for a bit before serving. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as spicy mustard, sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce, or soy sauce.

Tips:

• Don't stack the pot stickers. Cook them in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Spray the pot stickers with oil to ensure they get crispy and don't dry out.
• You don't need to thaw the pot stickers before cooking.

How to make homemade pot stickers for the air fryer

Ingredients

• Potsticker wrappers (also known as wonton wrappers or dumpling wrappers)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. ground chicken, cabbage, chives, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil)
• Oil (a neutral oil like vegetable or olive oil, or an oil spray like EVO, or avocado, coconut, canola/vegetable, or sesame oil)
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Method

• Make your filling by combining all your ingredients (except the wrappers) in a large mixing bowl.
• Using lightly wet hands, place the potsticker wrappers on a flat surface. Add a spoonful of the filling to the centre of each wrapper and fold over. Use your fingers to pinch the top of the wrapper several times to seal.
• Lightly brush water on the exterior of the potstickers.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F/180°C and 400°F.
• Place the potstickers in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each one. Spray or brush with oil.
• Air fry for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer and the brand of wrappers and filling you are using. The potstickers are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the potstickers from the air fryer and serve immediately with your chosen dipping sauce.

Tips

• You can make your own filling or use a pre-made filling.
• You can cook the potstickers straight from frozen, or fresh.
• You can make the potstickers in advance and store them in the fridge for up to five days before air frying.
• You can freeze cooked or uncooked potstickers for up to two months.
• If you want your potstickers to be extra crispy, spray them lightly with oil before air frying.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Don't stack the potstickers in the air fryer.
• Different types of dumplings, like gyoza or wontons, can also be cooked in the air fryer.
• You can serve potstickers as an appetizer or side dish, or with fried rice or a rice paper roll.

How to get the perfect crispy texture

To get the perfect crispy texture for your potstickers, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to coat the dumplings with oil. This will ensure that they get crispy without burning or drying out. You can use a variety of oils, such as vegetable, olive, avocado, or coconut oil, or even an oil spray. Ensure that the dumplings are completely coated in oil, as this will prevent them from becoming dried out or burnt.

The next step is to place the dumplings in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring that they are not stacked or overcrowded. This allows hot air to circulate between the potstickers and cook them evenly. If you are cooking a large batch, it is best to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

Now, it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the brand of dumplings you are using, but a good starting point is to cook them for 5 minutes, and then check on them. You may need to flip the dumplings halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For frozen dumplings, the total cooking time will be around 9 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the dumplings and your air fryer model. Fresh or thawed dumplings will take less time, around 4 to 6 minutes.

Finally, once the dumplings are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down for a bit before serving.

By following these steps, you will achieve the perfect crispy texture for your potstickers, with a nice golden colour and a crunchy bite. Enjoy!

How to prevent pot stickers from sticking to the air fryer

Air-fried pot stickers are a quick, easy, and delicious snack. However, they can sometimes stick to the air fryer, which affects their texture and appearance. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

Use Oil

One of the most important steps to prevent sticking is to use oil. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil before adding the pot stickers. This creates a barrier that prevents the dumplings from sticking to the surface. Avocado oil spray or EVO oil spray are good options, but other types of oil, such as vegetable or olive oil, can also be used. The oil also helps to achieve that desirable golden brown exterior.

Additionally, spraying oil on top of the frozen dumplings ensures they cook to a crispy texture rather than drying out. The oil should completely coat the dumplings, and you may need to add a little more oil halfway through the cooking process.

Cook in a Single Layer

When placing the pot stickers in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with a small amount of space between each one. This prevents them from sticking together and allows hot air to circulate between them, cooking them evenly. If you need to cook a large batch, it is better to cook them in multiple batches than to overcrowd the air fryer.

Flip Halfway Through

To ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking, flip the pot stickers halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that all sides get equal access to the heat and helps to achieve that crispy texture on multiple sides of the dumplings.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the pot stickers helps to ensure even cooking. It also helps to achieve that crispy exterior without overcooking the inside.

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer

As mentioned, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer. If you are cooking a large batch of pot stickers, cook them in multiple batches to ensure they cook evenly and to prevent sticking.

By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your pot stickers don't stick to your air fryer, resulting in a delicious and crispy snack or meal.

How to make a dipping sauce for pot stickers

Making a dipping sauce for potstickers is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The sauce is tangy, salty, and sweet, with a touch of spice. Here is a simple recipe for a delicious potsticker dipping sauce:

Ingredients:

• Soy sauce (low-sodium or regular)
• Rice vinegar (Chinese black vinegar or regular)
• Toasted sesame oil
• Brown sugar or honey
• Green onions, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Sriracha sauce (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar/honey in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
• Add diced green onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, and sriracha sauce (if using). Whisk again to combine.
• Optionally, add red pepper flakes and sesame seeds for garnish and extra spice.
• Cover and let the sauce sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle. Whisk again before serving.
• Serve as a dipping sauce for potstickers, egg rolls, gyoza, or wontons. Enjoy!

This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It is the perfect complement to your favorite potstickers, adding a burst of flavor to each bite. You can also add other ingredients like fresh garlic and ginger to give the sauce more depth of flavor.

Frequently asked questions