Dumplings and Gyoza in the Air Fryer
Frozen dumplings are usually steamed or pan-fried, but the air fryer does a very good job of the crisp, golden finish you want from gyoza. Cooked straight from frozen with a light brush of oil, they are ready in about 10 minutes, with no pan and no splashing. This page covers dumplings in air fryer baskets, from the timings and the dipping sauce to what to do if you have a bag of mixed types.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 15min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 235kcal
Why the air fryer works for dumplings
Dumplings in air fryer baskets come out closer to pan-fried gyoza than to steamed ones. The hot air dries and browns the wrapper while the filling heats through, giving a crisp, golden base and a chewy top. You do not need the pan, the lid and the splash of water that a classic gyoza method takes, and the basket stays clean.
It is a good choice for a snack or a quick supper from the freezer. The main limit is texture: wrappers can dry out if you cook them for too long or too hot, so follow the timing on the pack as a guide and check them early. Fresh, uncooked dumplings from a shop need the same oil but less time, around 8 minutes at 180 °C.
How to make dumplings in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Do not thaw Take the dumplings straight from the freezer. Thawing makes the wrappers soft and sticky, and they tear when you move them.
- Oil lightly Brush the basket and the dumplings with the vegetable oil, or spray them lightly. A thin coat is enough to crisp the wrapper and stop it sticking.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Put the dumplings in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , shaking the basket or turning them over after .
- Check The dumplings should be golden and crisp on the bottom and chewy on top. Cut one open to check that it is steaming hot all the way through. Meat fillings must reach 75 °C (the FSA says food is safe at 75 °C for 30 seconds).
- Make the dipping sauce While they cook, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, spring onion and chilli flakes in a small bowl. Serve the dumplings hot, with the sauce on the side.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Dumplings and Gyoza | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen gyoza, 20 g eachTurn halfway, 75 °C in the centre | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Large dumplings or buns | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Vegetable or vegan gyozaCheck the pack for the exact time | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| WontonsBrush with oil for a crisp finish | 190 °C | 6–8 min |
| Reheating cooked dumplingsSteaming hot, 75 °C | 170 °C | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cook from frozen. Thawed dumplings are sticky and tear easily. The wrappers stay firm when frozen, so they crisp better.
- Work in a single layer. Dumplings that touch each other steam and stick. Use two batches rather than crowding the basket.
- Add a splash of water for a softer top. For a more pot-sticker feel, sprinkle 1 tsp of water over the dumplings before cooking, and shake the basket gently halfway.
Serving
Serve the dumplings with the soy dipping sauce, or in a bowl of hot broth with noodles and greens. They sit nicely next to spring rolls and a bowl of rice for a simple takeaway-style supper, and they also work as party nibbles. Air fryer dumplings are at their best in the first 10 minutes after cooking, while the base is still crisp.
Storing and reheating
Keep any leftover cooked dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 170 °C for 3–4 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Reheat only once, and do not refreeze dumplings that you have already cooked. For more frozen foods, see frozen food in the air fryer.
Variations
- Vegetable gyoza: Cook as above, but check them after 8 minutes, as vegetable fillings heat faster. No core temperature check is needed for a purely vegetable filling.
- Chilli oil dip: Mix the soy sauce with 1 tsp of chilli oil and a little grated ginger for a hotter dipping sauce.
- Dumpling soup: Cook the dumplings for 7 minutes, then drop them into a hot chicken or vegetable broth with pak choi for a quick soup.
Troubleshooting
- The wrappers are dry and hard
- Too much heat or too long. Lower the temperature to 170 °C, brush the wrappers with oil and take them out as soon as they are golden. A teaspoon of water sprinkled over before cooking also helps.
- The dumplings stick together or to the basket
- Leave a gap between them, brush the basket with oil and do not thaw them first. Use a silicone spatula or tongs to lift them out.
- The filling is cold in the middle
- They were crowded or very large. Cook for 2–3 minutes longer, in smaller batches, until the filling is steaming hot throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook dumplings in an air fryer?
Yes. Frozen Asian-style dumplings and gyoza cook well in an air fryer, with a crisp base and a chewy top. They are not as soft as steamed dumplings.
How long do dumplings take in an air fryer?
Frozen gyoza take 10–12 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Large dumplings or wontons may need 12–14 minutes.
Can you cook gyoza from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes, straight from frozen. Do not thaw them first, or the wrappers become sticky and tear.
Is this the same as British dumplings in a stew?
No. British dumplings are balls of suet and flour dough that cook in a stew, and they are a different recipe. This page is for Asian-style filled dumplings such as gyoza, wontons and potstickers.
Do I need to use oil?
A light brush helps the wrapper turn golden and stops sticking. Dumplings cooked with no oil at all come out paler and drier.
Rate this recipe
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this recipe.
