Air-Fryer Pot Stickers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Making potstickers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy, juicy dumplings without the excess oil and calories of deep-frying. This method is also a great way to cook large batches and avoid the hassle of pan-frying. You can use frozen dumplings straight from the freezer or make your own from scratch.

Pre-cooking the filling

When making potstickers, the filling is key. You can use a variety of ingredients to make the filling, but a simple combination of ground meat, vegetables, and seasoning works well. Here is a detailed guide on pre-cooking the filling for your potstickers:

Choose your ingredients

Start by gathering your ingredients. For the filling, you will need ground meat such as chicken, turkey, pork, or beef. You can also make a vegetarian filling by using crumbled tofu or adding more vegetables like spinach or carrots. Cabbage is a popular choice, with options such as Napa cabbage, green cabbage, or red cabbage. You can also add ingredients like chives for colour and fresh flavour. For seasoning, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper are essential. Other ingredients like ginger, garlic, and green onions can also be added for more depth of flavour.

Prepare the filling mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine all your filling ingredients except for the wrappers. Make sure the ground meat is uncooked when you add it to the bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together until they are well incorporated. You can also use your hands to mix, but make sure they are clean and slightly wet to prevent the mixture from sticking.

Cook the filling

Before stuffing your potstickers, it's a good idea to cook the filling first. This ensures that the meat is cooked through and that the flavours have a chance to meld together. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add your filling mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir and break up the meat as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and is crumbly or cooked through, which should take around 6 minutes. If using ingredients like garlic and ginger, be careful not to burn them as this will affect the taste of your filling. Once cooked, remove the filling from the heat and let it cool down before handling.

Adjust seasoning (optional)

Once your filling has cooled slightly, take a small amount and taste it to check the seasoning. This step is optional but recommended, as it allows you to adjust the seasoning before assembling your potstickers. If needed, add more salt, pepper, soy sauce, or sesame oil to taste. Keep in mind that the flavours will develop further as the filling cools, so you may want to err on the side of under-seasoning slightly.

Preparing the wrappers

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the wrappers, you will need potsticker wrappers, also known as wonton wrappers or dumpling wrappers. You should be able to find these at your local grocery store or Asian market in the refrigerated section. Ensure you have enough wrappers for the number of potstickers you want to make.

Once you have your wrappers, it's time to start assembling. Lightly wet your hands and place a wrapper on a flat surface. Take a spoonful of your filling of choice and place it in the centre of the wrapper. You can be generous with the filling, but be careful not to overfill, as this may cause your potstickers to break open during cooking.

Next, it's time to seal your potstickers. Using your wet hands, carefully fold the wrapper over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Use your fingers to pinch the edges of the wrapper together, ensuring a tight seal. You can also decorate the edges by pinching the dough with your fingers to create a pattern.

Once your potstickers are filled and sealed, it's a good idea to lightly brush the exterior with water. This will help them cook evenly and give them a nice texture.

Now your potstickers are almost ready for the air fryer! If you plan to cook them immediately, preheat your air fryer to 200C/400F. Arrange the potstickers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Finally, it's time to cook your potstickers! Place them in the air fryer and cook for 6-7 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. Your potstickers are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for potstickers in an air fryer depend on whether they are frozen or fresh.

For frozen potstickers, preheat your air fryer to 350 °F to 380 °F. Place the frozen potstickers in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and spray with oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip the potstickers and air fry for another 2 to 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Check the internal temperature of the dumplings with an instant-read thermometer—you are aiming for 145 °F for pork and beef, and 165 °F for chicken. If you want them extra crispy, you can add another 2 minutes to the cooking time.

For fresh potstickers, preheat your air fryer to 400 °F. Lightly brush the exterior of the potstickers with water and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 6-7 minutes, turning halfway through, or until golden brown and crispy.

Dipping sauces

There are many different sauces that you can use to complement the flavours of your dumplings. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to serve with your potstickers:

Traditional sauces

Soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce are traditional options for dipping potstickers. You could also try a combination of the two, or experiment with adding minced garlic, ginger, or a splash of rice vinegar.

Spicy options

If you like your food hot, you could try a spicy mustard dip, or add red pepper flakes to your sauce.

Sweet and sour

A sweet and sour sauce will add a tangy kick to your potstickers. You can make this by whisking together soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Add sesame seeds for extra flavour and texture.

Storing and reheating

Storing

Firstly, it's important to note that you should not store uncooked potstickers in the fridge. Their fillings will seep into the pastry, and they will become soggy and messy. You should freeze them instead.

To freeze, spread your potstickers out on a lined baking tray, ensuring they are not touching. Freeze for an hour or two until they harden, then transfer to a zip-lock freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. Use within 2-3 months.

Reheating

When it comes to reheating, there are several methods you can use.

• Pan-frying is considered the best method. Lightly coat a non-stick pan with oil and set over medium-high heat. Fry the potstickers for 1-2 minutes until the bottoms turn crispy. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, cover the potstickers, and steam for 30-60 seconds. You can fry for a further 30 seconds if they need to be crispier.
• The oven method is good for large quantities. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the potstickers on a lined baking sheet (crispy side down). Heat for 3-5 minutes.
• Air frying can be done at 300°F (150°C) for 2-4 minutes. However, this method can dry out the pastry, so careful monitoring is required.
• Microwaving is a quick and convenient option. Place the potstickers on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 15-second intervals until hot, which should take 15-30 seconds.

Tips

• When reheating, avoid overcrowding your potstickers in the pan, as this can trap steam and cause sogginess.
• If your potstickers have dried out, sprinkle a few drops of water on them before reheating.
• For frozen potstickers, there is no need to thaw before reheating. This will help prevent sogginess.

Frequently asked questions