Air Fryer Dumplings: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a convenient way to make dumplings without the hassle of oil splatter or constant monitoring. You can use this method for Japanese gyoza, Korean mandu, Chinese dumplings, or potstickers—either homemade or store-bought, fresh or frozen. The result is a moist, meaty centre and a crispy, bubbly exterior. Here's a simple guide to making dumplings in an air fryer.

Oil spray for crispness

When making dumplings in an air fryer, it's important to note that the oil spray plays a crucial role in achieving the desired crispness. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure your dumplings turn out perfectly crispy:

Choosing the Right Oil

The type of oil you use can impact the flavour and crispness of your dumplings. It's recommended to use a neutral-flavoured oil, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil. These oils have a higher smoke point, which means they can withstand the high temperatures of the air fryer without burning and imparting an unpleasant taste.

Preparing the Dumplings

Before placing the dumplings in the air fryer, ensure they are frozen and have not been thawed. Thawed dumplings tend to become soggy and may not hold their shape well during cooking. Place the dumplings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. This arrangement ensures that hot air circulates evenly around each dumpling, promoting even cooking and crispness.

Applying the Oil Spray

Once the dumplings are arranged in the air fryer basket, it's time to apply the oil spray. Use an oil spray bottle or mister to coat the dumplings generously and evenly. Make sure to get all sides of the dumplings by spraying in a sweeping motion. The oil helps to create a crispy texture and prevents the dumplings from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Cooking Temperature and Time

Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 375°F and 400°F. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model and the size of your dumplings. Cook the dumplings for 8-10 minutes at this temperature.

Adding Water for Moisture

After the initial cooking time, you can add a small amount of water to the air fryer basket. This step is optional but can help add moisture to the dumplings, ensuring they don't dry out. Use your fingers to sprinkle about 1/4 cup of water onto the dumplings and into the base of the air fryer.

Flipping and Recrisping

Finally, if you want even crispness on all sides of the dumplings, consider flipping them halfway through the cooking process. You can also extend the cooking time by a few minutes if you prefer your dumplings to be crispier.

By following these steps and paying close attention to the oil spray technique, you'll achieve perfectly crispy air fryer dumplings every time!

No flipping needed

If you're making air fryer dumplings, you'll be pleased to know that there's no flipping needed to get a high crisp coverage on the dumpling. This is especially useful if you want to avoid the tedious task of brushing each dumpling with oil.

To cook dumplings in an air fryer, simply place them in the air fryer basket, spaced apart so there's about a 1/4 to 1/2-inch (1 cm) of room between them. If you're using frozen dumplings, there's no need to thaw them before cooking.

Once they're in the basket, brush or spray the dumplings on all sides with a thin coat of oil. If you don't have a pastry brush or oil spray, just oil your hands and rub the dumplings to coat them.

Then, add 1/4 cup of water to the dumplings using a flicking motion with your fingers. If there are any hard-to-reach spots, just pour the remaining water into the base of the air fryer basket.

Finally, air fry at 400°F/200°C for 10-12 minutes for fresh dumplings or 12-14 minutes for frozen dumplings. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and number of dumplings, so adjust accordingly.

And that's it! No flipping needed, and you're left with delicious, crispy dumplings.

No oil splatter

How to Make Air Fryer Dumplings with No Oil Splatter

Air-fried dumplings are a great option for a quick and easy meal or snack. The best part? No oil splatter! Here are some tips to help you achieve crispy, delicious dumplings without the mess of oil splatter:

Use Frozen Dumplings

Start with frozen dumplings for the best results. You can use any variety of frozen dumplings, such as potstickers, gyoza, wontons, or your favourite brand. There's no need to thaw them first, simply cook them straight from frozen.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking dumplings is between 350-380°F (180-193°C). A higher temperature may cause the dumplings to burn, so it's better to air fry at a lower temperature for a longer time.

Prepare the Dumplings

Place the frozen dumplings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not stacked or crowded, as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Spray the dumplings generously with oil, making sure to coat all sides evenly. You can use an oil spray or pour a small amount of neutral-tasting oil onto your palms and rub it onto the dumplings.

Air Fry the Dumplings

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the prepared dumplings in the basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes. For best results, shake the basket or flip the dumplings halfway through the cooking time. If you prefer your dumplings to be crispier, continue air frying for an additional 2-5 minutes.

Tips for Success

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Make sure to coat the dumplings thoroughly with oil to prevent them from drying out and becoming hard.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the dumplings, as well as the type of air fryer you are using. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• For an extra crispy exterior, rotate the dumplings during the cooking process.
• Serve your air fryer dumplings with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or hoisin sauce.

Faster than steaming/pan-frying

Air-frying dumplings is a faster alternative to steaming or pan-frying. It's a great option if you're looking for a quick meal or snack, as it typically takes around 10 minutes to cook dumplings in an air fryer.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a step-by-step guide to making dumplings in an air fryer:

• Prepare the dumplings: You can use any type of frozen dumplings, such as potstickers, gyoza, or wontons. There's no need to thaw the dumplings beforehand. Simply place them in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each dumpling to allow for even cooking.
• Add oil: Lightly coat the dumplings with oil by brushing or spraying them. This step is crucial, as it helps the dumplings crisp up and prevents them from drying out. You can use a neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed or avocado oil so that the flavour of the dumplings shines through.
• Add water (optional): For even better results, you can add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will create a steaming effect, ensuring that the dumplings are tender and moist on the inside while still crispy on the outside.
• Air-fry: Set the air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C) and cook the dumplings for 8-14 minutes, depending on their size and whether they are fresh or frozen. For a smaller batch of dumplings, air-fry them for a shorter time, as they will cook faster.
• Flip and rotate (optional): For even crispiness, you may want to flip or rotate the dumplings halfway through the cooking time.
• Serve: Your dumplings are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a snack or a meal, pairing them with your favourite dipping sauces and sides.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to cook dumplings has several advantages:

• Speed: Air-frying is faster than steaming or pan-frying, especially if you're cooking a small batch.
• Convenience: You don't need to supervise the dumplings constantly, and there's no need to flip them if you don't want to.
• Crispiness: Air-frying gives the dumplings a unique crispiness that is different from pan-frying. You get a delicate, blistered shell with a crunchy seam along the top.
• Less mess: There's no oil splatter to deal with, so cleanup is much easier compared to pan-frying.

Use any type of dumpling

If you're using frozen dumplings, there's no need to thaw them before cooking. Place the dumplings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each dumpling so the hot air can circulate.

Brush or spray the dumplings on all sides with a thin coat of oil. You can also just oil your hands and rub the oil all over the dumplings. If you don't have oil, you can use water instead.

Air fry the dumplings at between 320°F and 400°F for 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your dumplings and your air fryer model. If you're cooking a smaller number of dumplings, they will cook faster, so you may want to reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes. If you want crispier dumplings, you can shake the basket and continue to air fry for 2 more minutes.

You don't need to flip the dumplings during cooking, but if you want a crispy bottom, you can tip them onto their sides halfway through the cooking time.

If you're making dumplings from scratch, you'll need to cook the filling first.

Frequently asked questions