Air-Fryer Potstickers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Making potstickers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy dumplings without the excess oil and calories of deep-frying. You can use frozen dumplings straight from the freezer or make your own from scratch. The key to getting crispy potstickers is to use oil – either by spraying or brushing – and to cook in batches so that they cook evenly.

Oil and seasoning

Oil is an important component of making potstickers in an air fryer. It ensures that the potstickers do not dry out and get that desirable crispy texture.

You can use any type of cooking oil spray, such as PAM, avocado oil, coconut oil, or an EVO Oil Sprayer. If you don't have a spray, you can brush the oil onto the potstickers. Liberally coat the potstickers with oil to prevent them from drying out. You will also want to spray or brush the oil onto the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.

When seasoning your potstickers, you can fill them with ground chicken, pork, turkey, beef, or tofu. You can also add cabbage, chives, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

Filling

The filling for your potstickers can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here are some options:

Meat fillings:

• Ground chicken: Avoid using extra-lean ground chicken breast, as it will yield a dry filling.
• Ground turkey, ground pork, or ground beef: You can swap the protein in your potstickers with any of these options.
• Pork: Use 1/2 pound of ground pork for your filling.

Vegetable fillings:

• Cabbage: You can use Napa cabbage, green cabbage, or red cabbage.
• Chives: These add colour and fresh flavour to your filling.
• Water chestnuts: Use a 4-ounce can of drained and chopped water chestnuts.
• Shiitake mushrooms: Use a 4-ounce can of drained and chopped shiitake mushrooms.
• Spinach or carrots: Balance out the cabbage in your filling with spinach or carrots.
• Shredded carrots, eggplant, or bean shoots: You can also use these vegetables in your filling.

Other ingredients:

• Sesame oil: This is a must for any good potsticker recipe!
• Soy sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce, gluten-free soy sauce, or tamari.
• Ginger: Finely grate 2 teaspoons of ginger to add to your filling.
• Garlic: Mince 1 clove of garlic to include in the filling.
• Salt and pepper: Season your filling to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spices: Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot chili to your filling for a spicy kick.

Folding

To start, prepare your filling of choice. You can use a variety of fillings, such as ground chicken, pork, beef, or vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or tofu. Combine your chosen ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well.

Next, take out your potsticker wrappers. These can usually be found at your local grocery store or Asian market in the refrigerated section. They may also be labelled as wonton wrappers or dumpling wrappers.

Now, it's time to assemble the potstickers. Lightly wet your hands and place a wrapper on a flat surface. Add a spoonful of the filling to the centre of the wrapper. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make sealing the potstickers difficult.

Here comes the folding! There are a few different ways to fold a potsticker:

• The basic fold: Simply fold the wrapper over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Use your fingers to pinch the edges together and seal the potsticker closed.
• The pleated fold: This method gives your potstickers a fancier look. Start by folding one side of the wrapper over the filling, then use your finger to pleat the edge of the wrapper, creating small folds. Press the pleated edge against the flat side of the wrapper to seal.
• The purse-string fold: For this method, you'll bring the edges of the wrapper up around the filling, similar to a drawstring purse. Pinch the wrapper together at the top, leaving a small opening in the centre. This method creates a potsticker that looks like a little pouch.

Once you've folded and sealed your potstickers, they're almost ready for the air fryer! Lightly brush the exterior with water, or spray with oil, to help them crisp up during cooking.

Finally, place the potstickers in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Air fry at the recommended temperature and time for your chosen recipe, and enjoy!

Cooking time and temperature

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

For frozen potstickers, preheat your air fryer to 350 °F to 380 °F. If you want your potstickers to be extra crispy, you can set the temperature to 370 °F. Place the frozen potstickers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray them with oil. Air fry the potstickers for 8 to 10 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown. The total cooking time is around 13 to 15 minutes.

For fresh potstickers, preheat your air fryer to 400 °F. Place the fresh potstickers in the air fryer basket and brush the exterior with water. Air fry for 6 to 7 minutes, turning halfway through, or until they are golden brown.

It is important to note that different brands of air fryers may cook differently, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly. Additionally, when cooking frozen potstickers, it is recommended to cook them in 5-minute increments and check their internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 145 °F for pork and beef, and 165 °F for chicken.

Dipping sauce

When it comes to dipping sauces for your air-fried potstickers, you can get creative and experiment with different options. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spicy Mayo Sauce

This creamy sauce adds a kick to your potstickers. You can usually find it pre-made at most grocery stores, or you can try making it at home.

Classic Soy Sauce

Sometimes, simple is best. Soy sauce is asection favourite, and you can enhance its flavour by adding a splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a must-have in Chinese cuisine. It has a sweet, savoury, and slightly garlicky taste that pairs perfectly with potstickers.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

For those who like it spicy, sweet chilli sauce is a great choice. It's made with chillies, sugar, and vinegar, giving your potstickers a sweet and spicy punch.

Other Options

Don't feel limited to just these suggestions. You can also try sriracha, sesame oil, BBQ sauce, or even your favourite hot sauce. Get creative and experiment with different sauces to find your perfect pairing!

Frequently asked questions