Air Fry Dumplings Recipe

Dumplings are a type of food found in various cultures around the world. They typically consist of small pieces of dough filled with various ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, or cheese. The dough is then sealed and cooked through boiling, steaming, or frying/ air frying methods.

Dumplings are often enjoyed as a main course, appetizer, or snack and can be found in different shapes, sizes, and flavors. They are known for their comforting and versatile nature, making them popular in many culinary traditions.

Different Methods To Cook Dumplings

• Boiling: Dumplings are cooked by gently boiling them in water or broth until they become tender and cooked through.
• Steaming: Dumplings are placed in a steamer basket or apparatus and cooked with steam, resulting in a soft and moist texture.
• Frying: Dumplings can be fried in a pan or deep-fried, creating a crispy and golden exterior while maintaining a flavorful filling.
• Baking: Dumplings can be baked in the oven, giving them a slightly crisp and browned surface with a soft interior.
• Air frying: Dumplings cooked in an air fryer provide a healthier alternative to frying, producing a crispy texture with less oil and a shorter cooking time.

Benefits Of Cooking Dumplings In Air Fryer

• Healthier Option: Cooking dumplings in an air fryer reduces the oil needed, making them a healthier alternative to deep-frying without compromising taste or texture.
• Crispy Exterior: The hot circulating air in the air fryer creates a perfectly crispy and golden exterior on dumplings, providing that satisfying crunch without excessive oil absorption.
• Time-Saving: Air fryers cook dumplings faster than traditional methods, thanks to their efficient heating system, which means you can enjoy your favorite dumplings in less time.
• Even Cooking: The consistent heat distribution in an air fryer ensures that dumplings are cooked evenly, resulting in uniform texture and doneness across the entire batch.
• Versatility: Air fryers allow for various dumpling types, from frozen store-bought options to homemade creations, allowing you to experiment with flavors and fillings.
• Easy Cleanup: With their non-stick surfaces and removable trays, air fryers make cleaning up after cooking dumplings a breeze, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.

Tips For Best Air Fryer Dumplings

• Preheating your air fryer before cooking the dumplings helps ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Lightly spraying or brushing the dumplings with oil helps promote browning and crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and achieve even cooking of the dumplings.
• To ensure all sides are evenly cooked, gently shake or flip the dumplings halfway through the cooking process.
• Use a fork or toothpick to pierce a dumpling and ensure the filling is hot and the dough is cooked.
• Depending on the size and thickness of the dumplings, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature to achieve the desired texture.

What To Pair With Air Fry Dumplings?

Dipping Sauces

Serve air fryer dumplings with various dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a tangy ginger dipping sauce for added flavor.

Asian-Inspired Slaw

Pair your dumplings with a refreshing Asian-inspired slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a light sesame dressing to balance the richness of the dumplings.

Steamed Vegetables

Serve a side of steamed vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, or snap peas to add freshness and a nutritious element to your dumpling meal.

Fried Rice

Enjoy your air fryer dumplings alongside a flavorful serving of fried rice, incorporating vegetables, proteins, and a touch of soy sauce for a complete and satisfying meal.

Miso Soup

Complement your dumplings with a warm bowl of miso soup, providing a comforting and savory broth that pairs well with the dumpling flavors.

Different Names For Dumplings

• Momo: A dumpling popular in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, filled with various meats or vegetables.
• Jiaozi: A Chinese dumpling often filled with ground meat, vegetables, and seasonings, typically boiled or pan-fried.
• Gyoza: A Japanese dumpling similar to jiaozi, typically filled with ground pork, cabbage, garlic, and ginger and often pan-fried.
• Pierogi: A Polish dumpling made of unleavened dough filled with potatoes, cheese, meat, or fruit.
• Empanada: A Spanish and Latin American pastry dumpling filled with savory ingredients like meat, cheese, and vegetables.
• Potstickers: A type of Chinese dumpling that is first pan-fried and then steamed, resulting in a crispy bottom and tender filling.

Different Shapes Of Dumplings

• Half-Moon: Shaped like a half-circle, the filling is enclosed in a semicircular dough wrapper.
• Crescent: Resembles a crescent moon, with the filling enclosed in a curved dough wrapper.
• Round: Formed into a ball or sphere shape, with the filling contained within a circular dough wrapper.
• Pleated: Features pleats along the edges, created by folding and pinching the dough wrapper to encase the filling.
• Boat-shaped: Folded and shaped like a small boat, often with the edges sealed together to hold the filling.
• Closed Pouch: Completely sealed, creating a pouch-like shape that traps the filling inside the dumpling.

Which Dumplings Are Best For Air Frying: Fresh Or Frozen?

Both fresh and frozen dumplings can be successfully air-fried, but frozen dumplings tend to work particularly well in an air fryer.

The frozen dumplings have a firmer texture, which helps them hold their shape and retain moisture during air frying. Additionally, frozen dumplings often come pre-coated with a thin layer of oil, resulting in a crispy exterior when air fried.

Moreover, you do not need to thaw frozen dumplings before air frying. Frozen dumplings can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer, which makes them convenient for quick and easy cooking.

However, if you have fresh dumplings, you can still air fry them by adjusting the cooking time and ensuring they are well-coated with oil before cooking.

How Long Do You Air Fry Dumplings?

The cooking time for air frying dumplings can vary depending on factors such as the size and thickness of the dumplings and the specific air fryer model. Generally, air frying dumplings typically take around 10 to 15 minutes at a temperature of 375°F (190°C). It’s important to monitor them closely and adjust the cooking time to achieve the desired level of crispiness and doneness.

How To Store Leftover Air Fryer Dumplings?

• Cool completely: Allow the leftover air fryer dumplings to cool to room temperature before storing.
• Refrigerate promptly: Place the cooled dumplings in an airtight container or resealable bag and store them in the refrigerator.
• Separate layers: If stacking dumplings, place a layer of parchment or wax paper between them to prevent sticking.
• Consume within 2-3 days: Leftover air fryer dumplings are best consumed within a couple of days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Reheat properly: To enjoy the leftovers, reheat the dumplings in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness, or steam them to retain moisture.
• Consider freezing: If you have any leftover dumplings, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag for future use, ensuring they are properly labeled with the date.