Air Fryer Dumplings

Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 12

Servings: servings

Calories: 193kcal

Author: Quynh Nguyen

Cook frozen dumplings straight from the freezer for a quick snack, appetizer, or light lunch. This easy air fryer method works with potstickers, gyoza, and Chinese dumplings, with simple adjustments for different wrapper thicknesses.

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Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

12 frozen dumplings, potstickers, gyoza, or mandu
avocado oil or another high-heat cooking oil for spraying or brushing
2 tablespoons water if needed for thick-wrapper dumplings

For Serving

Dumpling dipping sauce
Chili crisp

Instructions

Arrange the frozen dumplings directly from the freezer in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Leave a little space between each one for air to circulate.
Lightly spray or brush the dumplings with avocado oil or another high-heat cooking oil.
For larger dumplings with thick wrappers, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket or the bottom tray of an air fryer oven. Skip the water for thin-wrapper dumplings such as gyoza.
Air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping the dumplings halfway through so the bottoms don't get too dark and the other sides have a chance to crisp.
Begin checking thin or smaller dumplings before 8 minutes. Larger, thick-wrapper potstickers may need the full 10 minutes. Continue cooking as needed until the filling is heated through and the wrappers are crisp and golden.
Serve immediately with dumpling sauce, chili crisp, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Cook directly from frozen: There's no need to thaw frozen dumplings before air frying.

Adjust the cooking time: Dumpling size and wrapper thickness make a difference. Thin Japanese-style gyoza generally cook faster than large, thick-wrapper potstickers.

When to add water: For thicker wrappers, I add 1–2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer to help the filling heat through without drying out the wrapper. Thin gyoza don't usually need it.

Don't overcrowd: Cook the dumplings in a single layer with a little room between them. Cook in batches if necessary.

Previously cooked dumplings: You can also use this method for refrigerated dumplings that have already been steamed. Because they're already cooked, start checking them earlier and air fry only until heated through and crispy.

Air fryers tested: I tested this method in a Cosori Max XL basket-style air fryer and an Instant Pot Omni Plus air fryer oven. Cooking times may vary slightly with other models.

Nutrition