Name: Air Fryer Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 12 frozen dumplings (any brand, any variety); Cooking spray or spray oil, for spraying; 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or coconut aminos); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1-2 teaspoons chili paste (adjust to taste)

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Introduction

Air fryer dumplings offer a quick and delicious way to enjoy crispy, golden bites with minimal effort. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these dumplings come out perfectly cooked and are paired with a flavorful dipping sauce that adds a tangy, spicy kick.

A white plate holds a stack of golden-brown pan-fried dumplings with crispy edges and soft, slightly translucent centers, sprinkled lightly with sesame seeds and small green onion pieces. The dumplings are arranged around a small white bowl filled with dark soy dipping sauce, one dumpling being lifted by black chopsticks held by a woman's hand, partially dipped in the sauce. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a neutral-colored cloth napkin folded nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 frozen dumplings (any brand, any variety)
3 tablespoons soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1–2 teaspoons chili paste (more or less to taste)
Cooking spray oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380° Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the frozen dumplings in a single flat layer inside the basket. If needed, work in batches to avoid stacking or overlapping them.
Step 3: Lightly spray the tops of the dumplings with cooking spray. Insert the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes.
Step 4: While the dumplings cook, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili paste in a small bowl. Whisk until fully blended and set aside.
Step 5: After 8 minutes, check that the dumplings are heated through and crispy. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, flip the dumplings halfway through cooking.
Adjust the amount of chili paste to control the spice level of your dipping sauce.
Try adding minced garlic or a dash of sesame oil to the dipping sauce for added flavor.
Vegetarian and meat-filled frozen dumplings both work well for this recipe.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350° Fahrenheit for 3–4 minutes to retain crispiness, or microwave briefly if preferred but they may become softer.

How to Serve

A white plate holds about ten pan-fried dumplings with golden-brown crispy edges and soft, pale folds on top, each sprinkled with small green onion slices and white sesame seeds. On the right side of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with dark soy dipping sauce, with a pair of black chopsticks resting beside it. Near the bottom left of the plate, three lemon wedges add a bright yellow contrast. The plate sits on a dark wooden table with a light beige cloth partially visible on the top right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook dumplings from fresh instead of frozen?

Yes, you can cook fresh dumplings in the air fryer at the same temperature but reduce the cooking time to about 5–6 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can pan-fry dumplings on the stove or steam them according to package instructions, then toss in a hot skillet with oil to crisp the bottoms if you want similar results.