Air-Fryer Magic: Frozen Potstickers, Crispy And Quick

Cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy, and healthy snack on the table. Potstickers, also known as dumplings, are a popular Asian dish that can be filled with meat or vegetables and are typically cooked by boiling, steaming, or frying. Air frying is a convenient and hands-off method that requires little to no oil and can cook frozen potstickers straight from the freezer. The result is a crispy, golden exterior with a tender and juicy filling.

Preheat the air fryer to 370-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. While some sources suggest that preheating is not necessary, it is generally recommended to ensure optimal cooking results. By preheating the air fryer to the desired temperature, you can achieve a more even cook and improve the overall quality of your potstickers.

The ideal temperature range for cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer is between 370-400°F. Preheat your air fryer to this temperature range to ensure the potstickers cook through evenly and attain the desired crispiness. Preheating the air fryer typically takes around 4 minutes, but this may vary depending on the model and brand of your appliance.

During the preheating process, the air fryer's heating element works to reach and maintain the set temperature. This step is crucial as it helps create a consistent cooking environment for your potstickers. Without preheating, you may find that your potstickers cook unevenly, with some areas being more crispy or browned than others.

While preheating, you can also prepare your potstickers by brushing or spraying them with oil. This step is essential, as it helps create the signature crispy texture associated with potstickers. Oils with high smoke points, such as avocado oil, soybean oil, or peanut oil, are recommended for air frying. However, if you prefer a neutral flavor, consider using vegetable oil or olive oil.

Oil the potstickers

Oil is an essential component when cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer. The oil helps to ensure that the potstickers turn out crispy and golden brown, rather than dry and hard. It is important to use a generous amount of oil when cooking potstickers in an air fryer. This can be done by brushing or spraying the oil onto the potstickers. If you do not have a spray oil, you can brush the oil onto the potstickers. This can be done on both sides of the potsticker, or just on the top/bottom. If you are using a spray oil, it is recommended to use an EVO Oil Mister or a similar product. If you are brushing the oil onto the potstickers, it is recommended to use a neutral-flavored oil such as avocado oil, soybean oil, or olive oil.

When cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer, it is also important to ensure that the potstickers are in a single layer and not stacked. This will help to ensure that the potstickers cook evenly. It is also recommended to flip the potstickers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

In addition to oil, it is also important to consider the cooking time and temperature when cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer. Most sources recommend cooking frozen potstickers at a temperature between 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit for a total of 9-11 minutes. However, it is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the potstickers, as well as the specific air fryer being used. As such, it is important to keep an eye on the potstickers while they are cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Finally, it is worth noting that while oil is important for achieving the desired crispiness and browning of frozen potstickers in an air fryer, it is not the only factor. The type of potsticker, the filling, and the specific air fryer used can all impact the final result. Additionally, it is recommended to serve potstickers with a dipping sauce, as this can enhance the flavor and overall enjoyment of the dish.

Cook for 5 minutes

Once you have prepared your air fryer basket by brushing or spraying it with oil, you can place your frozen potstickers inside. It is important to ensure that they are in a single layer and not stacked, as this will ensure they cook evenly. You can use any variety of potstickers you like, and they will cook the same.

Now, you can cook your frozen potstickers for 5 minutes. You do not need to preheat your air fryer, but if you wish to, you can preheat it to 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 minutes. After 5 minutes, you will need to shake the basket, and then spray the potstickers with a little more oil. It is important to use a generous amount of oil to ensure the potstickers do not dry out.

Flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes

Now, it's time to flip your potstickers. This is an important step to ensure even cooking and that coveted crispy texture. Use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip each dumpling over. Be gentle, as the potstickers will be hot and delicate at this stage.

After flipping, it's crucial to add a little more oil to the potstickers. This step ensures that the dumplings achieve that desirable golden-brown colour and crispy texture. You can use cooking spray or brush the oil onto the dumplings. If you're using cooking spray, hold the spray can about 6 to 8 inches away from the dumplings and give them a light, even coating. If brushing, use a pastry brush and gently coat the surface of each dumpling with oil. You can use avocado oil, coconut oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point.

Once the dumplings are flipped and oiled, it's time to return them to the air fryer. Set the timer for another 4 to 6 minutes. The exact time will depend on your preference for crispiness and the specific model of your air fryer. If you prefer your potstickers on the crispier side, you may want to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. Keep a close eye on them during this final cooking stage, as the difference between golden-brown and burnt can be a matter of seconds!

While the dumplings are cooking, you can prepare a simple dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients together, and you have a delicious dipping sauce ready for your potstickers. If you want to get creative, you can also add ingredients like sesame seeds, hoisin sauce, or duck sauce to your dipping sauce.

Serve with a dipping sauce

Potstickers are a fabulous appetiser or side dish and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. They are a great option for a last-minute meal and can be cooked straight from frozen.

You can serve potstickers with a simple soy sauce, or you can add other ingredients to make a more complex sauce. A soy ginger sauce can be made by mixing 1/4 cup of soy sauce with a couple of teaspoons of freshly minced ginger. You can then add a tiny amount of sesame oil to taste. You could also make a sauce with soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Sesame seeds can be added if desired.

Other sauces that can be served with potstickers include hoisin sauce, duck sauce, spicy mustard, and sweet chilli sauce.

Frequently asked questions