Air Fryer Dumplings
If you’ve never tried making dumplings in the air fryer, you’re going to love how easy this is. The wrappers get crispy on the outside while the filling stays juicy inside, and you don’t have to stand over the stove pan-frying batch after batch.
This is one of my favorite quick snacks, easy lunches, or lazy weeknight dinners when I need something fast but still homemade. I almost always keep a bag of frozen dumplings in the freezer for nights when I don’t feel like cooking.
The air fryer makes them crispy without using much oil, and cleanup is way easier compared to pan frying. If you love easy air fryer recipes like this, you should also try my air fryer orange chicken meatballs, air fryer garlic bread, or air fryer potato skins.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Dumplings
The air fryer works surprisingly well for dumplings because it crisps up the wrapper while keeping the inside tender and flavorful.
A few reasons I make these all the time:
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Crispy without deep frying
- Great for frozen dumplings
- Easy appetizer, snack, or quick dinner
- Minimal cleanup
- Kid-friendly and customizable
They’re also perfect for those nights when everyone is hungry, and you need something fast, and leftovers are really easy to pack into school lunches the next day, too.
What You’ll Need
You’ll find the full ingredient list and measurements in the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful notes.
Dumplings
You can use almost any frozen dumplings for this recipe, including potstickers, gyoza, mandu, or wontons. Pork, chicken, shrimp, and vegetable dumplings all work well.
There’s no need to thaw them first. I actually prefer cooking them straight from frozen because they hold their shape better and crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
Oil
A light spray or brush of oil helps the wrappers get golden and crispy. I usually use avocado oil spray, but any neutral oil works.
Don’t drench them in oil or they can become greasy instead of crispy.
Dipping Sauce
I usually serve these with soy sauce, chili crisp, or dumpling sauce, depending on what we have at home. These also pair really well with katsu sauce, or even fish sauce dip (nuoc cham) for a sweet and savory dipping sauce.
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
How to Air Fry Dumplings
One of the best things about this recipe is how little prep it takes.
Place the frozen dumplings in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between each one. Lightly spray or brush them with oil so the wrappers crisp up evenly.
Air fry at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the dumplings, so I usually start checking around the 8 minute mark.
The wrappers should look golden and crispy while the filling stays hot and juicy inside.
Tips for the Crispiest Dumplings
The biggest mistake is overcrowding the basket. If the dumplings are touching too much, they steam instead of crisping.
A few things that help:
- Cook in a single layer
- Spray lightly with oil
- Flip halfway through cooking
- Don’t thaw frozen dumplings first
If you like extra crispy dumplings, add another 1–2 minutes at the end.
Frozen Dumplings to Use
You can use whatever frozen dumplings you already like buying.
Some good options are:
- chicken potstickers
- pork gyoza
- shrimp dumplings
- Korean mandu
- vegetable dumplings
This is also a great shortcut dinner for busy nights alongside rice, noodles, or simple vegetables.
If you’re making an Asian-inspired dinner, these go well with Thai basil fried rice, instant pot Japanese curry, or miso salmon.
What to Serve With It
These dumplings are great on their own, but I usually serve them with steamed rice, cucumber salad, edamame, or a quick noodle dish to make it feel more like a full meal. They also work really well as an appetizer alongside recipes like Vietnamese shrimp toast or spam fried rice for a fun takeout-style dinner at home.
Helpful Tips
✔️ Frozen dumplings can vary a lot depending on the brand and size, so use the cooking time as a guide and adjust as needed.
✔️ If your air fryer tends to run hot, check them a little earlier so the wrappers don’t get too dark before the filling heats through.
✔️ Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in the air fryer too. Just air fry at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
Fast, Crispy, and So Good
These air fryer dumplings are one of those easy recipes I make over and over because they’re fast, crispy, and always hit the spot. Keeping a bag of frozen dumplings in the freezer makes dinner so much easier on busy nights, especially when you want something warm and comforting without a lot of effort.
After making dumplings in the air fryer, it’s hard to go back to pan frying or settling for soggy microwaved dumplings.
RECIPE
Air Fryer Dumplings
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen dumplings, potstickers, gyoza, or mandu
- avocado oil spray or neutral oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F if your air fryer requires preheating.
- Arrange the frozen dumplings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.
- Lightly spray or brush the dumplings with oil.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Cook until the wrappers are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is heated through.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- No need to thaw the dumplings first.
- Different brands and sizes may need slightly different cooking times.
- For extra crispy dumplings, add another 1–2 minutes at the end.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until crispy and heated through again.
