Steaming Dumplings: Using Your Rice Cooker For Quick Snacks

Steaming frozen dumplings in a rice cooker is a convenient way to prepare a tasty appetizer or side dish. It is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. First, fill the rice cooker bowl with water and place it in the cooker. Then, add a light coat of sesame oil to the steaming basket to prevent the dumplings from sticking. Next, arrange the dumplings in a single layer in the basket and place it inside the cooker bowl. Close the lid, turn on the cooker, and let the dumplings steam for 10-20 minutes. Finally, carefully open the cooker, let the dumplings rest for a few minutes, and serve them with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Prepare the rice cooker with water and a steamer basket

To prepare your rice cooker with water and a steamer basket, start by filling the inner pot of the rice cooker with water. The amount of water you add will depend on the type of rice cooker you have. Some rice cookers have a fill line, so you can fill the pot to the first line. If your rice cooker doesn't have a fill line, fill the bowl about a quarter of the way up with water.

Next, place the inner pot inside the rice cooker and attach the steamer basket insert. If you're using an adjustable metal steamer basket, make sure it has feet that can sit inside the rice cooker, and ensure that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Adjust the water level if necessary.

Now your rice cooker is prepared and ready for the dumplings!

Line the steamer basket with parchment paper

To line the steamer basket of your rice cooker with parchment paper, start by cutting a length of baking/parchment paper that is wide enough to fit inside your steaming basket. Then, fold the paper into quarters (in half and then once more). Crease the folds so that the paper lays flat.

Next, place the folded corner of the parchment paper in the centre of the basket. Push the paper into the basket and use your fingertips to crimp the paper along the curved inside edge of the basket. Remove the paper from the basket and cut along the curved crimp. Discard the excess paper so that you are left with a folded piece of paper shaped like a slice.

Now, fold two more times so that you have a thin wedge shape (like a slice of pizza). Using scissors, cut small holes along the folded edges of the paper. You can do this by cutting out little triangles about 2.5cm/1" apart. Unfold the paper and you will now have a circle of paper with holes in it. Place this inside the steaming basket to prevent your dumplings from sticking to the basket.

Arrange dumplings in a single layer in the basket

When arranging dumplings in a rice cooker, it is important to place them in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents the dumplings from sticking together. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Firstly, prepare your dumplings. If you are making them from scratch, you can follow a recipe such as the one provided by Hamilton Beach, which includes a delicious pork filling. Place one wrapper on a cutting board and add the filling. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then bring the edges together to form a pouch and secure the filling inside. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of dumplings.

Next, prepare your rice cooker by filling the cooking pot with water. The amount of water you need will depend on your rice cooker, but generally, you should fill it about a quarter of the way up. Place the pot inside the rice cooker and turn it on to bring the water to a low boil.

Now it's time to arrange the dumplings in the steamer basket. First, line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Then, place the dumplings in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your basket.

Once all the dumplings are arranged, carefully lower the steamer basket into the rice cooker, ensuring that the water does not touch the bottom of the basket. Cover the rice cooker with the lid and let the dumplings steam. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and number of dumplings, but it usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes for frozen dumplings to cook through.

Finally, when the dumplings are cooked to your liking, carefully remove the steamer basket from the rice cooker and transfer the dumplings to a serving tray. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce!

Steam dumplings for 10-30 minutes

To steam dumplings for 10-30 minutes, you'll first need to prepare your rice cooker. Fill the bowl of the rice cooker with water—around 1/4 of the way full should be enough. If your rice cooker didn't come with a steamer basket, you can use an adjustable metal steamer basket with feet, or a bowl placed in the centre of the rice cooker. If using a bowl, fill the rest of the rice cooker with an inch of water.

Next, apply a light coat of sesame oil to the surface of the steaming basket to prevent the dumplings from sticking. You can also line the steamer basket with parchment paper or lettuce to prevent sticking.

Now you can start arranging the dumplings in a single layer in the steaming basket. Place the basket in the bowl of the rice cooker, put the lid on, and turn it on. Let the dumplings steam for 10 to 30 minutes, checking on them regularly. Frozen dumplings will take longer to heat through completely.

Once they're done, carefully open the rice cooker and let the dumplings rest for 5 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Then, transfer them to a serving tray and enjoy!

Let dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving

Once you've steamed your dumplings, it's important to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows excess moisture on the surface of the dumplings to evaporate. Depending on how many dumplings you've cooked, this should take 5-10 minutes. It's also a good opportunity to check that they're cooked through—simply cut one in half and take a look. If they're not quite ready, pop them back in the rice cooker for a few more minutes.

While you're waiting, you can prepare a dipping sauce. Dumplings are often served with a mixture of sesame oil and soy sauce, but you could also try a chilli or hoisin sauce.

When serving, be cautious of the steam when you open the rice cooker, as it will be very hot.

Frequently asked questions