Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings (Printable Version)

Frozen dumplings become crispy bites with a sesame oil glaze using quick air fryer cooking.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dumplings

01 - 20 frozen dumplings (pork, chicken, or vegetable; any preferred variety)

→ Glaze & Garnish

02 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional)
05 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Cooking Spray

07 - Nonstick cooking spray (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Place the frozen dumplings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spacing them apart. Lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray if desired for enhanced crispiness.
03 - Air fry the dumplings for 8 minutes.
04 - Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar (if using) in a small bowl, mixing thoroughly.
05 - Brush the dumplings generously with the sesame oil mixture immediately after the first air frying.
06 - Return the glazed dumplings to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 minutes until edges are golden and crispy.
07 - Transfer dumplings to a serving plate, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with soy sauce or preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under twenty minutes, which means you can look like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you were just being clever.
  • The sesame oil glaze makes frozen dumplings taste genuinely restaurant-quality, no pretense needed.
  • It's one of those recipes that impresses people without requiring any real skill or stress on your part.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheat—a cold air fryer basket is how you end up with unevenly cooked, sometimes rubbery dumplings that disappoint you.
  • The glaze needs to go on midway through cooking, not at the end, so it can caramelize slightly and actually stick to the dumplings instead of just sitting on top.
  • Spacing matters; crowding the basket means steam instead of crispiness, which defeats the entire purpose of using an air fryer.
03 -
  • If your dumplings are extra thick or you're using a larger variety, add two minutes to the final cook time and watch through the air fryer window until you see them golden at the seams.
  • The sesame oil can burn if your air fryer runs hot, so if you notice browning too fast on your first batch, drop the temperature by ten degrees for your next attempt.
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