Pan-frying and steaming had been my preferred methods for dumplings before I started using the air fryer. The air fryer is definitely a game changer, as it gets out the crispy exterior and rich flavors, even from the frozen dumplings. Here is how I make these quick and easy dumplings in the air fryer, so dive right in.
Dumplings In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Air fryer basket liner or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 8-10 frozen dumplings
- cooking oil spray
- 1/3 cup avocado oil
- 1 cup green onions
- 4 tbsp chili flakes
- 2 tbsp black vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp red chili pepper
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sweetener
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Now that we are ready, let’s make our dumplings in the air fryer and serve them with red chili oilStart by preheating the air fryer for 3 minutes to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Now, transfer the dumplings to the air fryer basket and spray it with oil. You can use any cooking oil spray.
- Cook the dumplings for around 8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread them afar, so the air can circulate easily between the dumplings. Shake the basket halfway through this time and continue to cook it for 2 more minutes to get the dumplings super crispy.
- Once done, remove them from the air fryer basket to any serving plate.
Aromatic chili oil for the dumplings
- First, mince the garlic and green onions and add them to the bowl.
- Add the seasoning ingredients (black vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil) to the bowl.
- Now, take a small pan and heat up the avocado oil in it.
- Once the heat is hot, put it in an airtight container and store it overnight. Serve it with the dumplings. You can easily store this oil in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Always cook the dumplings in a single layer in the air fryer and do not stack them. It helps the hot air to circulate between the dumplings, so you get even cooking and get a super crispy texture.
- Prefer cooking in batches if needed even if you want to cook a lot of dumplings. But, the good part is that the timing will be less as you move to the next batch. This is because the air fryer will already be hot.
- Always completely coat the dumplings with oil to get the dumplings super crispy. Not adding oil to them will keep them dry and hard.
- Unlike other types of food, you do not have to defrost dumplings first. You can get them straight out of the freezer and cook them however you like.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Dumplings
A single serving of air fryer dumplings consists of 145 calories, 24g carbs, 4g protein, 4g fat, 3 mg cholesterol, 279 mg sodium, and 3g vitamin C.
What Temperature Do I Cook Dumplings in an Air Fryer?
I have a medium-sized air fryer and my ideal temperature to cook dumplings in the air fryer is around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. I have also tried 400 degrees Fahrenheit a few times and in this case, the exterior turns a little brown too quickly. And 350 degrees Fahrenheit tends to leave the dumplings undercooked.
How to Serve Dumplings?
Well, the air fryer dumplings are good to go on their own, but you can always serve them with your favorite dips or as a part of bigger meals. Here are some ways I usually serve the dumplings.
- Serve them with chopped raw veggies and serve the dumplings as an appetizer.
- Pair them with fried rice or any other type of grain bowl to add a source of protein.
- Serve them with green lettuce to make a dumpling salad.
- Wrapped dumplings in healthy lettuce are my all-time favorite snack between meals.
Dip Options
My all-time hit dip is the chili oil, and the recipe for it is already mentioned. In addition to this, here are some of my favorite dips to be served with dumplings.
- Sweet and sour honey-chili sauce.
- Soy sauce mixed with sesame seed oil and black vinegar.
- Chili garlic crunch.
- Hoisin sauce. It is available in almost all international grocery stores.
- Peanut dip mixed with low-sodium soy sauce and crushed ginger.
- Hot BBQ sauce, sriracha, or mayo dip.
Try It Already!
Dumplings made in the air fryer have become my favorite for two years. Making them does not take more than 10 minutes, and each time the results are perfectly crispy. You can use this recipe as your guide to cooking dumplings with the air fryer.
