Air-Fryer Dumplings: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking dumplings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack with minimal clean-up. Dumplings are a broad term for food made with a filling enveloped in dough, and there are many types, including potstickers, gyoza, and wontons. You can cook dumplings from frozen or fresh, and you can use store-bought or homemade dumplings. This method is a great way to get crispy dumplings without the hassle of oil splatter from pan-frying or the effort of watching a pan.

How to get dumplings crispy in an air fryer

Air-fried dumplings are a great way to get that crispy texture without the effort of pan-frying. You can use this technique with any store-bought or homemade dumpling, fresh or frozen.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Place the dumplings in the air fryer basket, leaving a small amount of space between each dumpling. This ensures that hot air can circulate and helps achieve even cooking and crispiness.
• Add Oil: Spray the dumplings generously with oil, ensuring all sides are coated. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture. You can use an oil spray or brush the oil on with a pastry brush.
• Cooking Time: Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F and 400°F. Cook the dumplings for 8-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and the size of your dumplings.
• Flip and Cook Again: For even crispiness, it's recommended to flip the dumplings halfway through the cooking time. After flipping, cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
• Optional Dipping Sauce: While the dumplings are cooking, you can prepare a dipping sauce by whisking together soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
• Rest and Serve: Once the dumplings are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the dumplings to cool slightly and helps achieve the perfect texture.

Tips for Crispy Dumplings:

• If you want to add a bit of moisture to the air fryer, you can try adding a small amount of water to the basket before cooking. This can help create a steam effect, but be cautious as too much water can make the dumplings soggy.
• For an extra crispy texture, you can increase the cooking time by a minute or two. Keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
• If using frozen dumplings, do not thaw them before cooking. Cook them straight from frozen for the best texture and crispiness.

Air fryer settings for cooking dumplings

Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking dumplings in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F. Some sources recommend cooking at 375°F, while others suggest starting at 320°F and increasing to 360°F. If you want to cook at a higher temperature, be aware that 400°F may be too high and will brown the exterior too quickly.

Timing

The cooking time will depend on the size of your dumplings and your air fryer model. As a general rule, dumplings will take between 8 and 15 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For example, one source recommends cooking dumplings at 370°F for 9 to 11 minutes, while another suggests 10 minutes at 375°F. If you want crispier dumplings, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

Oil and Water

To prevent the dumplings from drying out and to achieve a crispy texture, it is essential to add a small amount of oil to the dumplings before cooking. You can brush or spray the dumplings with oil, ensuring they are coated thoroughly. Some recipes also suggest adding a small amount of water to the air fryer to create a steaming effect and prevent the dumplings from drying out. However, others caution that this may not be effective, as the steam escapes through the well-ventilated machine.

Spacing

When placing the dumplings in the air fryer basket, ensure they are spaced apart with about a 1/4 to 1/2-inch gap between them. This allows the hot air to circulate and ensures even cooking. Do not stack the dumplings, as this can result in uneven cooking.

Flipping

To ensure even cooking and browning, it is recommended to flip the dumplings halfway through the cooking process. This helps to crisp up the bottoms and prevent them from burning.

Preheating

It is generally recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the dumplings. Preheat for about 4 minutes at the desired temperature, or according to your air fryer's instructions.

Dipping Sauce

To enhance the flavour of your dumplings, consider making a dipping sauce to serve alongside. A simple sauce can be made by combining soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds (optional).

Oil types and application methods for dumplings in an air fryer

Air fryers have revolutionized cooking by providing an alternative to traditional frying methods. They can crisp food while using significantly less oil, making them a healthier option. When cooking dumplings in an air fryer, you can use a variety of oils, such as avocado oil, neutral oil, or any other cooking oil of your choice. The oil can be applied using different methods, including brushing, spraying, or rubbing with oiled hands.

Brushing

One method is to use a pastry brush to apply a thin coat of oil to the dumplings before placing them in the air fryer. However, brushing each dumpling individually can be a tedious task.

Spraying

To make the process easier, you can use an oil sprayer to quickly and evenly coat the dumplings with oil. This method is convenient and helps achieve a crispy texture.

Rubbing with Oiled Hands

If you don't have a pastry brush or an oil sprayer, you can simply pour a small amount of oil onto your palms and rub your hands together. Then, grab each dumpling and gently rub the oil onto all sides, ensuring a thorough coating.

Regardless of the oil type and application method you choose, it's important to note that air fryers can dry out dumplings more than traditional frying methods. To prevent this, you can add a small amount of water to the air fryer, either by dipping the dumplings in water before cooking or by sprinkling water into the air fryer basket.

How to prevent dumplings from drying out in an air fryer

Air-frying dumplings can be a great way to cook them with less attention and splatter than pan-frying. However, air fryers can sometimes dry out dumplings, so here are some tips on how to prevent that:

Use an adequate amount of oil

Coating the dumplings with oil before placing them in the air fryer is essential to achieving a crispy texture. You can brush or spray the dumplings with oil, or use your hands to rub the oil on. Make sure the dumplings are thoroughly and completely coated. If you are cooking frozen dumplings, they must be sprayed with oil to prevent them from drying out.

Add water to the air fryer

Adding a small layer of water to the air fryer before cooking can help to prevent the dumplings from drying out. You can also dip the dumplings in water before placing them in the air fryer, or sprinkle them with water using your fingers.

Choose the right type of dumpling

The type of dumpling and dough used can affect the results when air frying. Look for thin, pliable wrappers that can withstand air frying without drying out. Dumplings with thicker wrappers may not cook evenly and can become dry.

Adjust cooking time and temperature

Cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on the size, thickness, and type of dumplings you are preparing. Frozen dumplings may require a few extra minutes compared to fresh ones. It is important to monitor the dumplings closely to prevent overcooking, as this can lead to dryness. Check the dumplings periodically and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Dipping sauces for dumplings cooked in an air fryer

Air-fried dumplings are a great option if you want to avoid the effort of watching a pan or the splatter of oil from deep frying. However, air-fried dumplings can sometimes be a little dry. A great way to add some moisture and flavour to your dumplings is by serving them with a dipping sauce.

A well-balanced dipping sauce can elevate your dumpling experience. A good dumpling sauce should have a mix of salty, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours. The base of the sauce is usually soy sauce, which can be mixed with hot water and sugar to achieve the right consistency and level of saltiness. You can then add other ingredients such as rice vinegar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, chilli oil, garlic, and ginger to taste.

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1 tablespoon of hot water
• Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• Add 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar
• Add 1 teaspoon of chilli oil
• Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• Add 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with other ingredients such as oyster sauce, sriracha, black rice vinegar, or green onions. You can also try making a spicy soup to dip your dumplings in or a sweet Thai chilli and soy sauce mix. The options are endless!

Frequently asked questions