5 from 2 votes

Air Fry Frozen Dumplings (Fast) 

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Quickly create air fryer frozen dumplings with no thawing. It’s perfect for a fast meal or snack. Use this method for potstickers, gyoza, or wontons.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
£1.50
Makes: 1
mains
Korean

I love keeping frozen dumplings in my freezer, as they’re a great option for a fast meal or snack. This recipe for air fryer frozen dumplings allows you to heat them up quickly and without the dreaded oil splatter! Bonus, there’s no thawing needed for this recipe.

4 cooked dumplings on a plate topped with some chilli flakes.

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll simply be cooking the air fry dumplings with a tiny bit of oil and water, and voila, a delicious weeknight recipe ready in about 10 minutes. You can also use this method to cook frozen potstickers, gyoza, and wontons. 

No oil splatter – Since you’re cooking the frozen dumplings in an enclosed air fryer, you don’t have to worry about oil splatter like what you’d experience with pan-frying.

Crispy and tender – Using the method below, these air-fried frozen dumplings come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside every time.

Fast – The best part about this frozen dumplings in air fryer recipe is it takes less time than steaming and pan-frying.

Two ingredients – You only need two ingredients for air fryer dumplings (not including the water!), making this one of the easiest air fryer recipes ever! 

Pair these yummy dumplings with some delicious side dishes; Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Cauliflower Rice and Sauteed Broccoli

Can you cook dumplings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can absolutely cook dumplings in air fryers! There are a few methods that can be done to crisp up the air fryer frozen dumplings. However, I prefer to add water and a bit of oil to the bottom of the air fryer basket so the dumplings steam and crisp up simultaneously. 

Here are some other delicious airfryer recipes; Air fryer Halloumi, Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

Are dumplings, potstickers, gyoza, and wontons all the same?

While these foods may be similar, they are not all the same. Here’s a quick breakdown of each item.

Dumplings
This is the broad term for an item made with filling enveloped in dough. Once the dumplings are assembled, they’re either fried, steamed, or cooked using a combination of methods (like these air fryer frozen dumplings).

Potstickers
Potstickers are a type of dumpling that is steamed and fried, creating a soft interior and crispy outside.

Gyoza
There are a few differences with gyoza. For one, they’re Japanese-style dumplings. They are also typically made with thinner pieces of dough.

Wontons
Wontons are another type of dumpling. They are typically cooked via boiling or deep-frying. Unlike other types of dumplings, wontons are made with eggs instead of flour and water. 

Try these other easy air fryer recipes that are “cook from frozen“; Frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer and Frozen Sausages in an Air Fryer

How long do you cook frozen dumplings in the air fryer?

If you’re wondering how long to air fry frozen dumplings, this section is for you! It takes about 8-10 minutes to cook air fryer frozen dumplings. I recommend flipping this dumplings in air fryer recipe halfway through to get an even crisp on the outside. 

How do you get dumplings crispy in the air fryer?

Now that you know the answer to “Can you air fry frozen dumplings?” (yes, you can!), you can learn tips and tricks to get the best results. To get crispy air fryer frozen dumplings, spray them evenly with cooking spray. You also need enough space between the dumplings to create crispy air fried frozen potstickers.

If you are looking for crispy air fryer recipes, you’ll love my; Chicken Goujons, Air Fryer Green Beans and Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the dumplings laid out on a pale blue background.

Dumplings – You can use any dumplings you’d like for this air fryer frozen dumplings recipe, from gyoza to wontons. Because they vary quite a bit in size, you may need to adjust the cook time when  air frying frozen dumplings depending on the dumplings you select.

Oil spray – Any cooking spray will work for this recipe. I recommend using a more neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed or avocado so the flavours from the dumplings can shine through.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Since this recipe is so simple, there are only a few ways you can alter the dumplings in air fryer to your tastes. For one, you can use any kind of dumpling you’d like for these air fryer frozen dumplings, including chicken, vegetarian, shrimp, etc. You can also use this method to heat up homemade dumplings that were previously frozen.

How to air fry frozen dumplings

  1. Start by adding the water into the base of your airfryer. This will encourage the dumplings to partially steam, so that they don’t dry out whilst they crisp up (Image 1). 
  2. Evenly distribute the dumplings across the airfryer and spray with oil. Heat for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C)  (Image 2). 
2 step by step photos, the first with a air fryer basket with a little water pouring in and the second with 6 frozen dumplings in the basket.

3. Rotate the dumplings and cook for a further 4-5 minutes at 360°F (180°C) (Image 3). 

4. The dumplings will start to turn golden brown. Serve up and enjoy! (Image 4). 

2 step by step photos, the first with a air fryer basket 6 dumplings partially cooked and the second with 6 bowned and cooked dumplings in basket.

For some other Korean dish ideas, try my ; Creamy Gochujang Pasta and Gochujang Noodles (Spicy Korean Noodles)

Tips for the best result

Spread the dumplings out in a single layer in the air fryer
To create a crispy exterior, the hot air circulating in the air fryer needs to be able to hit all sides of the dumplings. So, for the best results, it’s necessary to properly space the dumplings out in the air fryer basket.

The air fryer time may vary depending on the size of the dumpling
Use my noted recipe times as a guide for air fryer frozen dumplings. Keep in mind, it may take slightly longer or shorter for your dumplings to cook, as they can range in size. To test the doneness of your dumplings, pierce one with a fork. If it’s easy to pierce and steam comes out of the holes, the dumplings are ready to eat!

Do not thaw first
For this recipe, there’s no need to thaw the dumplings! Simply toss them in frozen with water and oil, then air fry.

Need inspiration for some main meal recipes? Try my; Fish Burrito Bowl, Tabbouleh Inspired Chicken Salad and Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

6 cooked dumplings on a plate topped with some chilli flakes next to a small bowl of soy sauce.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer frozen dumplings are tasty as-is. You can also serve a dipping sauce with them for extra flavour. Soy ginger sauce, sweet chilli sauce, vinegar, and soy sauce all make excellent dipping sauces for the dumplings. You can also use a little chili garlic sauce to boost their flavour.

As far as what else to serve them with, they’re great alongside Asian-inspired dishes like noodles, rice, or soup. 

Pair this yummy dumplings with one of these mains for an even tastier meal; Wagamama’s Chicken Ramen, Spicy Chili Oil Ramen Noodles or Chilli Oil Udon Stir Fry

Leftover storage and reheat instructions

These air fryer frozen dumplings are best when you eat them right out of the air fryer. However, if you make too many, you can keep the leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Be sure to allow the leftover dumplings to fully cool before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge.

When you’re ready to reheat the dumplings, toss them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 360°F (180°C) with some cooking spray. You can also microwave leftovers, though they won’t have the same crispy outside. 

FAQs

Should you thaw the dumplings first before air frying?

You can thaw the dumplings before air frying them, as it will reduce the cook time by a few minutes. However, I’ve crafted this air fryer frozen dumplings recipe so you can skip the thawing process.

Why aren’t my potstickers crispy?

If you’ve overloaded your air fryer basket, your potstickers will likely be soft and non-crispy. Be sure to leave enough room between each and cook in multiple batches if necessary.

Where do you buy frozen potstickers?

You can buy frozen potstickers at nearly any store. If your local market has a frozen appetizer or Asian food section, they’ll likely be tucked away there.

What temperature do you cook dumplings in the air fryer?

I recommend cooking dumplings at 360°F (180°C)  in the air fryer. I find this temperature helps crisp them up well.

Why are my air fryer potstickers dry?

There’s typically one reason why air fryer potstickers are dry – not enough oil was sprayed onto them before they were cooked. Be sure to use enough oil beforehand. If they still come out dry, you can serve them with a dipping sauce to help add some moisture as you’re eating

6 cooked dumplings on a ornate green plate topped with some chilli flakes on a white background.

If you tried this Air Fryer Dumplings recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

 

Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings

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5 from 2 votes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
£1.50
mains
Korean
Servings: 1
Quickly create air fryer frozen dumplings with no thawing. It’s perfect for a fast meal or snack. Use this method for potstickers, gyoza, or wontons.

Ingredients

  • 6 frozen dumplings (£5.00)
  • Oil spray
  • 100 ml of water

Method

  • Start by adding the water into the base of your airfryer. This will encourage the dumplings to partially steam, so that they don’t dry out whilst they crisp up.
  • Evenly distribute the dumplings across the airfryer and spray with oil. Heat for 5 minutes at 356°F (180°C)
  • Rotate the dumplings and cook for a further 4-5 minutes at 356°F (180°C)
  • Serve up and enjoy!

Notes

  • Spread dumplings in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure the hot air circulates and crisps all sides.
  • Cooking time varies by dumpling size; use recipe times as a guide and check doneness by piercing a dumpling to see if steam escapes.
  • No need to thaw; air fry the dumplings directly from frozen with water and oil.

Nutrition

Servings: 1 servings
Fat: 14g
Calories: 328kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 10g
5 from 2 votes

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Comments

  1. So quick and easy !5 stars

  2. Loving making these dumplings in the air fryer – quick and easy, and so good!5 stars

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