Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking frozen dumplings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or meal. It's a convenient method that doesn't require any thawing, and you can use any type of frozen dumplings, from gyoza to wontons. The air fryer eliminates the hassle of oil splatter associated with pan-frying, resulting in crispy dumplings without the mess.

Preheat the air fryer to 320°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen dumplings. While some recipes suggest a preheat temperature of 370°F or 375°F, one source recommends preheating your air fryer to 320°F. This lower temperature may be better suited to certain types of dumplings or air fryers, ensuring they don't burn or dry out.

To achieve this temperature, simply set your air fryer to 320°F and allow it to heat up. Most modern air fryers will have a digital display that will show the current temperature or indicate when the desired temperature has been reached. If your air fryer does not have a display, you can estimate the preheat time based on your air fryer's power and your experience with using it for other recipes.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the frozen dumplings. Take them out of the freezer and arrange them on a dish. It is important not to crowd the dumplings too closely together, as they will need space between them to cook properly in the air fryer. You can also use this time to prepare any dipping sauces or side dishes that you plan to serve with your dumplings.

Once your air fryer has preheated to 320°F, you can proceed to the next step of cooking your frozen dumplings. Place the dumplings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked and have sufficient space around them. Then, follow the rest of your chosen recipe's instructions for cooking time, temperature adjustments, and any additional steps, such as rotating or flipping the dumplings during cooking.

Oil the dumplings

Oil is an essential component when making frozen dumplings in an air fryer, as it helps to achieve the desired crispy texture. Here is a detailed guide on how to oil the dumplings for the best results:

Choosing the Right Oil

Avocado oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and vegetable oil are all suitable options for air-frying dumplings. These oils have high smoke points and neutral flavours, allowing the dumplings' flavours to shine through. It is best to avoid olive oil, as it can impart a different taste to the dish.

Oiling Techniques

There are two common methods for oiling the dumplings: using an oil spray or coating them by hand. An oil spray ensures an even coating, and you can purchase specific products like an EVO Oil Mister or use a simple oil sprayer. Alternatively, you can pour a teaspoon of oil into your palm, rub your hands together, and then rub the oil onto each dumpling, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.

Amount of Oil

It is crucial to use enough oil to prevent the dumplings from drying out or burning. The amount of oil needed will depend on the number of dumplings you are cooking. For a single layer of dumplings, a teaspoon of oil may be sufficient, but you can always add more if needed.

Timing of Oiling

The dumplings should be oiled before placing them in the air fryer. For the best results, oil them after placing them in the air fryer basket or tray but before turning on the air fryer. This ensures that the oil does not drip off the dumplings before cooking.

Other Tips

• If you are cooking a large batch of dumplings, you may need to oil them in batches to ensure each dumpling is adequately coated.
• Do not stack the dumplings in the air fryer. Instead, place them in a single layer with space between each dumpling to allow for even cooking and crisping.
• Depending on your air fryer model and the size of your dumplings, you may need to flip or rotate them during cooking to ensure even crisping on all sides.
• For added flavour, you can dip the dumplings in sauces like soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, or a garlic chilli oil.

Air fry the dumplings

Air-frying dumplings is a simple and quick process. It is a good option for a fast meal or snack, and you can use this method for potstickers, gyoza, or wontons. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 320°F and 375°F. The ideal temperature may depend on your air fryer model and the type of dumplings you are using, so you may need to experiment a little.

Next, place your frozen dumplings into the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure they are in a single layer, with some space between each dumpling, so that the hot air can circulate. Do not stack the dumplings. You can cook as many dumplings as can fit in your air fryer basket without crowding it.

Now, spray the dumplings generously with oil, ensuring that all sides are coated. You can use a spray oil or a neutral oil such as avocado, sunflower, or vegetable oil. This will help the dumplings to crisp up.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and cook the dumplings for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket and, if you want them crispier, continue to cook for another 2-5 minutes. You may also need to rotate the dumplings during cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Finally, remove the dumplings from the air fryer and serve. You can serve them as they are, or with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce, vinegar, or hoisin sauce.

And that's it! A delicious, crispy dumpling dish, cooked with minimal effort and mess.

Flip the dumplings halfway through

Flipping your dumplings is an important step in the cooking process. While some recipes suggest that you don't need to flip your dumplings at all, others recommend flipping them halfway through the cooking time. This is because flipping them ensures that they cook evenly and don't burn.

When cooking dumplings in an air fryer, you want to achieve a nice, even crispiness on the outside, while keeping the inside juicy and hot. Flipping them halfway through helps to ensure that you don't end up with dumplings that are burnt on one side and undercooked on the other.

To flip your dumplings, use a pair of tongs or a spatula to carefully turn them over. Make sure that you don't stack the dumplings on top of each other, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Space them out in a single layer, giving each dumpling enough room to cook evenly.

Additionally, you may need to add a little more oil when you flip your dumplings. This will help to ensure that they don't dry out and that you get that desirable crispy texture.

Serve with a dipping sauce

There are many dipping sauces that can be served with dumplings cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Soy-Based Sauces

A combination of soy sauce and sesame oil with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds is a simple yet tasty sauce. You can also add rice vinegar, maple syrup, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to the soy sauce for a more complex flavor profile. Alternatively, you can dip the dumplings in just soy sauce, or soy sauce with rice vinegar or hoisin sauce.

Chili-Based Sauces

Garlic chili oil is a popular choice for dumpling dipping sauce. To make it, heat avocado oil in a saucepan and pour it into a bowl with minced garlic and green onions. Then, add black vinegar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and toasted sesame oil. You can also add red chili pepper for spice. This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Other Options

Sweet chili sauce, vinegar, and ginger soy sauce are also excellent choices for dumpling dipping sauces.

Frequently asked questions