Air Fryer Magic: Perfect Pot Stickers From Frozen

Making frozen potstickers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, tasty treat. It's a simple process that can be done in a few steps and is a great way to get an Asian-inspired favourite on the table. Potstickers are a type of dumpling, which can be boiled, fried, simmered or steamed. They are made with a thin dough wrapper and filled with meat or vegetables.

Preheat the air fryer to 370-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen potstickers. By preheating your air fryer to the recommended temperature of 370-400°F, you create the ideal cooking environment for achieving the desired crispiness of your potstickers. This temperature range ensures that the potstickers cook evenly and efficiently, resulting in a delicious, crispy texture without drying them out.

When preheating your air fryer, it is advisable to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines. Each air fryer model may have specific recommendations for preheating, including the suggested preheat temperature and the time required to reach it. Following these instructions will help you achieve the best results and avoid any issues.

While preheating, ensure that your air fryer is set up correctly and ready for cooking. This includes confirming that the basket or tray is properly inserted and that the temperature settings are accurately selected. It is also essential to ensure that your air fryer is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface during preheating and cooking.

The preheating process serves to bring the air fryer up to the desired temperature before adding the frozen potstickers. This step is crucial because it ensures that the cooking process begins immediately at the intended temperature, promoting even cooking and the development of the desired crispy texture. Without preheating, the cooking time may be longer, and the results may vary.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature of 370-400°F, you can proceed to the next step of arranging the frozen potstickers in the air fryer basket or tray. Remember to place them in a single layer, ensuring that they do not overlap, as this arrangement promotes even cooking and the formation of a crispy exterior.

Oil the air fryer basket

Oiling the air fryer basket is an important step in ensuring your potstickers turn out crispy and delicious. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Before placing the frozen potstickers in the air fryer, it's crucial to prepare the air fryer basket. Use a brush to coat the basket with oil or, more conveniently, use an oil spray or oil mister to evenly coat the surface. This step ensures that your potstickers won't stick to the basket and helps with the cooking process.

When applying the oil, be generous. Lightly coat the entire basket, ensuring all areas that will come into contact with the potstickers are covered. This step will help achieve that sought-after crispy texture on the potstickers' exterior.

If you don't have an oil spray or mister, you can use a variety of oils, such as avocado oil or coconut oil, or even cooking sprays like PAM. If you're using a liquid oil, a brush can help evenly distribute it.

Once the basket is prepared, you can move on to the next step of arranging the potstickers in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other or the sides of the basket. This arrangement allows for optimal airflow and even cooking.

After placing the potstickers in the basket, you can give them a light coating of oil as well. This step is crucial, as it helps prevent the potstickers from drying out and ensures a crispy exterior. You can use an oil spray or mister for this, or brush the oil on if you prefer.

Remember, when it comes to oiling the air fryer basket and the potstickers themselves, a light and even coating is key. This technique will help you achieve the perfect crispy texture without risking oil overload.

Arrange the potstickers in a single layer

When arranging the potstickers in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This is to allow for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding, which can result in soggy potstickers. Leave some space between each potsticker so that the hot air can circulate and create that desired crispy texture.

When placing the potstickers in the air fryer basket, be mindful not to let them touch each other or the sides of the basket. This arrangement ensures optimal airflow and promotes even cooking. While it may be tempting to stack them or squeeze them in, doing so will compromise the cooking process and the final texture of your potstickers.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potstickers in batches to ensure they are in a single layer. This extra step is worth it to achieve that perfect crispiness!

Additionally, make sure to coat the potstickers generously with oil spray before cooking. This step helps prevent the potstickers from drying out and ensures a delicious, crispy exterior.

Air fry for 5 minutes

Air frying is a great way to cook frozen potstickers, giving them a super crispy outer layer without drying out the filling. Now, onto the important part: air frying for 5 minutes.

Once you've preheated your air fryer to 370 degrees F, it's time to place your frozen potstickers inside. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap, with a bit of space between each one. This is crucial for even cooking and to prevent sogginess. Spritz or spray the potstickers liberally with oil. This step is essential, as it ensures the wrappers don't dry out and helps achieve that coveted crispy texture.

Now, it's time to air fry! Set the timer for 5 minutes and let the magic happen. Depending on your air fryer model, you may want to give the basket a gentle shake halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want them to overcook or burn.

After 5 minutes, your potstickers should be well on their way to golden brown perfection. If you're using an air fryer without a window, you might need to rely on your senses of smell and sound to gauge their progress. If they're looking good, it's time to flip them over and give them a little more time to cook.

Remember, cooking times may vary, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your potstickers to avoid overcooking or burning. Now, onto the next step: serving and enjoying your delicious, crispy potstickers!

Flip the potstickers and add more oil if needed

Flipping the potstickers halfway through the cooking process is essential to ensure even cooking. This is because the air fryer can cook at different temperatures depending on where the food is located in the chamber. By turning the potstickers over, each dumpling cooks evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and colour.

When flipping the potstickers, it is also a good opportunity to spray more oil on the dumplings if needed. This extra oil helps to ensure they don't dry out and get that nice crispy outside coating. It is important to completely coat the frozen potstickers with oil, as not doing so can result in them becoming dried out or burnt. An EVO oil sprayer or mister is recommended for this, but if you don't have one, you can brush the oil on the potstickers.

Frequently asked questions