Air-Fried Gyoza: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings, usually steamed, but can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick, easy, and healthier alternative. You can use frozen gyoza, or make your own, but either way, you'll have a delicious, crispy snack or meal in under 15 minutes.

Cooking from frozen

You can cook gyoza straight from frozen in your air fryer. This will take less than 15 minutes and gives you a super crispy outer layer.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350 °F and 400 °F for 4-5 minutes.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
• Place the frozen gyoza in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between each dumpling. They shouldn't be stacked or touching.
• Spray the gyoza with oil.
• Air fry for 6-8 minutes.
• Flip the gyoza and cook for another 2-6 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

• You don't need to defrost the gyoza before cooking.
• You can use any cooking spray, but olive oil or a neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed or avocado work well.
• You can add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to help the gyoza steam and crisp up.
• If you're cooking a large batch, cook the gyoza in batches to ensure even cooking.
• Gyoza are cooked when their internal temperature reaches 145 °F for pork and beef, and 165 °F for chicken.
• Serve with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or hot sauce.

Oil spray

Using an air fryer to make gyoza is a great way to get crispy gyoza without the mess of oil splatter. However, it is important to use oil spray to ensure the gyoza do not dry out and to help them brown.

Choosing an Oil Spray

You can use anything from PAM to avocado oil, coconut oil or a neutral oil. Evo Oil Sprayers are recommended as they don't clog up.

How to Apply the Oil Spray

Place the frozen gyoza into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each dumpling. Spray the gyoza generously with oil, making sure to get all the sides.

Cooking the Gyoza

Air fry the gyoza for around 6-8 minutes at 375F-380F/193C. Shake the basket and continue to air fry for another 2-6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your gyoza.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Don't forget to spray the gyoza with oil, otherwise, they will be too dry and crispy. You want them to retain a bit of chewiness.
• You can also brush the oil on both sides of the gyoza if you don't have a spray.

Single layer

When cooking gyoza in an air fryer, it's important to place them in a single layer, with space between each dumpling. This is to ensure even cooking and to prevent them from sticking together. Cooking in batches may be necessary if you're preparing a large amount.

To achieve the desired crispiness, it is recommended to spray the gyoza with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This will also prevent them from drying out. You can use a variety of oils, such as avocado, coconut, or canola/vegetable oil, and apply them using a spray or brush.

The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your gyoza. As a guide, cook the gyoza at around 350-380°F (190-193°C) for 6-8 minutes, and then turn them over and cook for an additional 2-6 minutes, or until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

It is not necessary to preheat the air fryer or thaw the gyoza before cooking.

Don't overcrowd

When making gyoza in an air fryer, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This is because the gyoza need space between them for the hot air to circulate and cook them evenly. If you are cooking a large batch of gyoza, it is better to cook them in batches, as this will also help to prevent overcrowding.

To ensure even cooking, it is recommended that you place the gyoza in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving about half an inch of space between each one. This will prevent them from sticking together. If you are using frozen gyoza, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place them straight into the air fryer and cook in batches if necessary.

By not overcrowding the air fryer, you will achieve crispy, evenly cooked gyoza. This method is also a great way to avoid the oil splatter that can come with traditional frying methods.

Temperature and timing

Firstly, it is important to note that the temperature and timing may vary slightly depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so some adjustments may be necessary. As a general rule, it is recommended to air fry gyoza at around 350-380 °F (180-190 °C). Preheating the air fryer is not necessary.

For frozen gyoza, set the temperature to 360-375 °F (180-190 °C) and cook for 6-8 minutes. Check the gyoza at the 5-6 minute mark to ensure they are not burning. If the tops are browning too quickly, you can flip them over.

After the initial cooking time, you may want to cook the gyoza for an additional 2-6 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Flip the gyoza over and continue air frying until they reach your desired level of doneness.

If you are making homemade gyoza, the cooking time will be shorter. Air fry homemade gyoza for 3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked to your liking.

It is important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the gyoza in batches if needed, and ensure they are in a single layer with space between each dumpling to allow for even cooking.

Additionally, be sure to spray the gyoza with oil before cooking to ensure they turn out crispy and golden, not dry and hard.

With these temperature and timing guidelines, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy gyoza in your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions