• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Riverten Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • FILIPINO
  • ASIAN
  • PASTA
  • BREAD
  • SUBSCRIBE
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
  • FILIPINO
  • ASIAN
  • PASTA
  • BREAD
  • SUBSCRIBE
×

Home > Recipes > Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings

Published: May 29, 2022 • Updated: May 30, 2022 by: Mella • 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe •

Air frying is one of the best ways to cook store-bought frozen dumplings. It's fast, easy, and convenient. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or even as a main dish for busy weeknight dinners.

frozen dumplings cooked in an air-fryer
dumplings cooked in air-fryer
Jump to:
  • Types of Frozen Dumplings
  • How to Perfectly Air-fry Frozen Dumplings
  • Cooking Temperature
  • Cooking Time
  • Do I need to pre-heat the air fryer?
  • What cooking oil to use
  • Dipping Sauce
  • What to Serve with Dumplings
  • Complete Recipe
  • Comments

Types of Frozen Dumplings

These are the common ready-made dumplings you can find in the grocery that are perfect for air-frying:

  • Gyoza - Also known as Japanese dumplings. It is commonly made with shitake mushrooms, cabbage, ginger, and ground meat (either chicken or pork). Gyoza has a thinner wrapper compared to mandu and is slightly bigger than potstickers.
  • Potstickers - Also known as Chinese dumplings. It is slightly smaller than other dumplings. The filling ingredients are similar to gyoza, sometimes added with bamboo shoots, and chives and then seasoned with Shaoxing wine.
  • Mandu - are Korean-style dumplings. These dumplings are filled with cabbage, meat (chicken, pork, or beef), and sometimes tofu seasoned with sesame oil for that distinct Korean taste. It is bigger in size compared to gyoza and potstickers.
frozen dumplings, gyoza and potstickers

In case you have noticed, all of these dumplings generally have similar ingredients. What makes them unique from each other are the type of seasonings used, size and or shape, and folding techniques.

How to Perfectly Air-fry Frozen Dumplings

And here's are my tips on how to perfectly air-fry frozen dumplings:

  • Slightly thaw the dumplings - Thaw the dumplings for 10 minutes to remove the freezer-burned edges of the wrapper. This will make the edges soft and crispy. Air-frying frozen dumplings straight from the freezer will make the wrapper hard and dry.
  • Brush the dumplings with oil - Brush or spray all sides and folds of the dumplings with oil. This is the secret to making perfectly fried dumplings in an air-fryer.
  • Place the dumplings in the air-fryer basket in a single layer with a space in between. Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
frozen dumplings

Cooking Temperature

My recommended temperature for cooking dumplings in the air fryer is 190C or 375F. It's not too hot and will cook the dumplings inside out without burning the wrapper.

Cooking Time

The total cooking time of dumplings in the air-fryer is 12 minutes. Air-fry the first side for 8 minutes then turn to the other side and continue cooking for another 4 minutes. The dumplings are cooked when it becomes plump and have turned golden brown.

Do I need to pre-heat the air fryer?

There's no need to pre-heat the air-fryer when cooking frozen dumplings, gyoza, or potstickers. I have personally tested this and the result of pre-heating and not pre-heating air-fryer have made no difference to the texture and doneness of the dumplings.

What cooking oil to use

Canola, avocado oil, and peanut oil are the best oils for air frying due to their high smoke point.

dumplings with dipping sauce

Dipping Sauce

Here are my quick and easy recipes for dumpling sauces. Note that these are small servings. Feel free to double the recipe as needed.

Chinese Dumplings Dipping Sauce

This is a tangy kind of sauce with a touch of heat from the chili oil. Serve with steamed dumplings or fried dumplings.

Here's how to make it:

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 to 2 teaspoons Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang), chili oil (to taste), finely sliced ginger, or grated ginger (to taste), and a pinch of sugar (optional). Tip: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water to cut down the tanginess.

Japanese Gyoza Dipping Sauce

This is another tangy dumpling sauce similar to the Chinese dumplings dipping sauce.

Here's how to make it:

In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 to 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, finely chopped garlic, and optional chili flakes if you like it spicy, Tip: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water to cut down the tanginess.

Korean Dumpling dipping sauce

I have a complete recipe here. Enjoy!

dumplings with korean dipping saue

What to Serve with Dumplings

Serve as an appetizer before main dishes like stir-fried noodles, complete meal soups like kimchi soup, soy-bean soup, soft tofu soup, egg drop soup, misua soup, chicken glass noodle soup (sotanghon), egg fried rice, and many more!

More air-fryer recipes

  • Filipino Pork BBQ Skewers (Grill, Oven, or Air-Fry)
  • Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Spring Rolls
  • Soy Garlic Crispy Chicken Wings (Bonchon Chicken)
  • Easy Asian Meatballs (Air Fryer, Oven or Pan Fry)

Complete Recipe

crispy dumplings with soy vinegar dipping sauce

Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings

Air frying is one of the best ways to cook your store-bought frozen dumplings. Fast, easy, and convenient.
prep 5 mins
cook 12 mins
5 from 1 vote
author: Mella
Servings 14 pcs
tap to scale
PRINT RECIPE
Rate this Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Air-fryer

Ingredients
 

  • 12-14 frozen dumplings (see note 1)
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (for brushing)

Dipping Sauce options:

    Chinese Style

    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce (I use Kikkoman regular soy sauce)
    • 1-2 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang vinegar)
    • chili oil (to taste)
    • grated or finely sliced ginger (to taste)
    • pinch of sugar

    Japanese style

    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (I use Kikkoman regular soy sauce)
    • 1-2 teaspoon rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • finely chopped garlic (to taste)
    • chili flakes (optional)

    Korean style (get the recipe)

      Instructions

      • Thaw dumplings for 10 minutes. No need to completely thaw.
      • Grease the air-fryer basket with oil.
      • Brush or spray each piece of dumpling generously with oil. Make sure to include the folds and edges.
      • Place the dumplings in the basket in a SINGLE LAYER. Do not overcrowd. Cook in batches if necessary.
      • Air-fry for 8 minutes at 190C/375F. Turn to the other side and air-fry for another 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
      • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

      Dipping Sauce

      • Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Taste. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water to cut down tanginess, if preferred.

      Recipe Notes and Tips:

      • Dumplings - use store-bought frozen gyoza, mandu, or potstickers.
      • Cooking oil - canola, avocado oil, and peanut oil are the best oils for air frying due to their high smoke point.
      • Nutrition: Calculation is per 1 piece of dumpling. Dipping sauce is not included.
      Course : Appetizer
      Cuisine : Asian
      Keyword : gyoza air-fryer, how to cook dumplings in an air-fryer, potstickers air-fryer
      Nutrition Facts
      Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings
      Amount per Serving
      Calories
      59
      % Daily Value*
      Fat
       
      3
      g
      5
      %
      Saturated Fat
       
      1
      g
      6
      %
      Trans Fat
       
      1
      g
      Polyunsaturated Fat
       
      1
      g
      Monounsaturated Fat
       
      1
      g
      Cholesterol
       
      1
      mg
      0
      %
      Sodium
       
      80
      mg
      3
      %
      Carbohydrates
       
      7
      g
      2
      %
      Fiber
       
      1
      g
      4
      %
      Sugar
       
      1
      g
      1
      %
      Protein
       
      1
      g
      2
      %
      Vitamin C
       
      2
      mg
      2
      %
      Calcium
       
      6
      mg
      1
      %
      Iron
       
      1
      mg
      6
      %
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
      DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag @rivertenkitchen or leave a comment below!

      Riverten Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

      You might like these too

      • Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs (Crispy!)
      • Crispy Lechon Kawali (Air-fryer or Oven)
      278 shares

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Theresa says

        October 27, 2022 at 12:31 am

        5 stars
        Finally, a recipe that works. Thawing for just a few minutes was the key. The dumplings turned out so good, no tough edges.
        Thank you!

        Reply

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Rate this recipe




      Primary Sidebar

      HELLO!

      My name is Mella and welcome to my blog. Here I share Filipino, Asian, and many easy-to-follow recipes. Enjoy and happy cooking!

      Reader's Favorites

      • Lechon Pork Belly with Crispy Crackling
      • Soft Pandesal Recipe (stays soft even the next day!)
      • Beef Caldereta (Kaldereta)
      • Chunky Mushroom and Celery Soup
      • Cream of Mushroom Soup Pasta Sauce
      • Super Soft Ensaymada Recipe

      Latest Recipes

      • Coconut Mochi Donut (Carioca/Cascaron)
      • Creamy Garlic Pasta with Bacon and Mushroom (One Pot!)
      • Twice Cooked Pork Adobo (with Potatoes and Eggs)
      • Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
      • Chicken Adobo Recipe
      • Pasta with Canned Tuna in Oil (20 mins)

      Footer

      Search for a recipe

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • Content Permissions

      Visit our sister site

      Simple Chicken Recipes

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Follow Me!

      • Instagram
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest

      Buy me a coffee

      As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

      COPYRIGHT © 2022 RIVERTEN KITCHEN