Air Fryer Potstickers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Potstickers, also known as dumplings, are a delicious appetizer or side dish. They can be made with various fillings, such as chicken, vegetables, or pork, and are typically served with a dipping sauce. While they can be steamed, boiled, or fried, cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that sought-after crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. But how long do you need to put potstickers in an air fryer for?

Oil coating

Coating your potstickers in oil is an essential step in the air-frying process. It ensures that your potstickers emerge with a desirable crispy exterior, and it also helps to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.

You can use a variety of oils for this purpose, such as vegetable oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or sesame oil. It is recommended to use an oil spray or mister to ensure an even coating, but if you don't have one, you can simply brush the oil onto the potstickers or use your hands to coat them.

When coating the potstickers, it is important to ensure that the oil coverage is complete. Any areas left uncoated may result in the potstickers drying out or burning. You should also oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.

Once the potstickers are coated, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they do not touch each other or the sides of the basket. This arrangement allows for optimal airflow and even cooking.

During the cooking process, you may need to add more oil halfway through. Simply flip or shake the potstickers, and if they appear dry, spray or brush on additional oil.

The amount of oil you use can be adjusted to your preference. For a crispier result, use a liberal amount of oil and consider cooking for an additional minute or two.

Remember, the oil coating plays a crucial role in achieving the signature crispy texture of air-fried potstickers, so don't skimp on this step!

Temperature settings

The temperature settings for cooking potstickers in an air fryer vary depending on the source and the desired texture. Some sources recommend cooking at 350°F (180°C) for 12 minutes, while others suggest 370°F for a total of 9 to 11 minutes. For extra crispy potstickers, you can cook them at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes.

It's important to note that different air fryer brands may cook differently, with some cooking hotter and faster and others slower. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your potstickers while they're cooking and adjust the time and temperature as needed. Checking your potstickers at the 5-minute mark and flipping them halfway through cooking is a good practice to ensure even cooking.

Additionally, the temperature settings may also depend on whether you are cooking frozen or fresh potstickers. Frozen potstickers can be cooked directly from frozen at temperatures ranging from 350°F to 400°F for 9 to 15 minutes. On the other hand, fresh or thawed potstickers can be cooked at 400°F for about 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

To achieve the perfect crispy texture, it is crucial to coat the potstickers with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps to ensure that they don't dry out or stick to the air fryer basket.

Cooking time

The cooking time for potstickers in an air fryer depends on the brand of the air fryer, the number of potstickers being cooked, and the desired level of crispiness. However, on average, it takes around 10-15 minutes to cook potstickers in an air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

First, brush or spray oil onto the air fryer basket to prevent the potstickers from sticking. Then, arrange the potstickers in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other or the sides of the basket. This allows for optimal airflow and even cooking.

Step 2: Air Fry the Potstickers

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Flip and Continue Cooking

After 5 minutes, gently shake the basket to prevent the potstickers from sticking. You can also flip them over to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the potstickers are golden brown and have reached your desired level of crispiness.

Step 4: Remove from the Air Fryer and Serve

Once the potstickers are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your potstickers while they are cooking to prevent overcooking or burning. Additionally, if you are cooking a large number of potstickers, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

Frozen vs fresh potstickers

The Benefits of Frozen Potstickers

Potstickers are a type of Chinese dumpling that can be frozen and cooked at a later date. Freezing potstickers is a convenient way to ensure you always have a tasty snack on hand. Frozen potstickers are nearly indistinguishable from fresh-made ones, as long as they are kept free of freezer burn.

When it comes to cooking, frozen potstickers are very versatile. They can be boiled, steamed, microwaved, or fried. Boiling is the easiest method, but steaming is faster and results in firmer, stretchier skins. For crispy potstickers, the classic steam-fry method is best: fry the potstickers, add water to the pan, cover and steam, then fry again once the water evaporates.

The Benefits of Fresh Potstickers

Making potstickers from scratch can be tedious, but it ensures the freshest possible product. Fresh potstickers can be frozen for later use, and homemade frozen potstickers are likely to be superior to store-bought ones.

To freeze fresh potstickers, place them on a lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer uncovered for about half an hour. Then, transfer the frozen potstickers to a zipper-lock freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. This will prevent freezer burn, which occurs when ice crystals transform directly from ice into water vapour.

Cooking Potstickers in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are a popular way to cook potstickers, as they result in a deliciously hot and crispy dumpling. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but on average, potstickers take around 10-15 minutes to cook at 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to note that air fryers do not require the use of oil, but potstickers should be spritzed or brushed with oil to prevent the wrappers from drying out.

Both frozen and fresh potstickers have their advantages. Frozen potstickers are convenient and nearly indistinguishable from fresh ones, while fresh potstickers offer the benefit of being homemade. Ultimately, the decision to use frozen or fresh potstickers may depend on individual preferences, time constraints, and cooking methods.

Dipping sauces

There are a variety of dipping sauces that go well with potstickers. Here are some ideas:

• Spicy mustard
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Tempura sauce

You can also make your own dipping sauce by whisking together soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes, with the option to add sesame seeds.

Some frozen potstickers will come with a sauce packet in the bag, which you can also use.

Frequently asked questions