Air Fryer Crispy Dumplings (Print)

Crispy dumplings filled with seasoned pork and cabbage, air-fried and paired with a flavorful soy ginger sauce.

# Components:

→ Dumpling Filling

01 - 7 oz ground pork, chicken, or crumbled firm tofu
02 - 1 cup napa cabbage, finely shredded
03 - 2 green onions, finely chopped
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

→ Dumpling Assembly

10 - 20 round dumpling wrappers
11 - Water for sealing

→ Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce

12 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
15 - 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
17 - 1 teaspoon green onion, finely sliced
18 - 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, napa cabbage, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
02 - Place a dumpling wrapper in your palm. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon of filling into the center. Moisten the edge with water and fold, pressing to seal tightly while pleating as desired. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.
03 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
04 - Lightly brush or spray dumplings with oil. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other.
05 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden and crispy.
06 - While dumplings cook, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, green onion, and red chili flakes in a small bowl. Stir until well blended.
07 - Transfer hot dumplings to a serving plate. Serve immediately with soy ginger dipping sauce on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 40 minutes from start to table, which means you can actually pull off homemade dumplings on a weeknight.
  • No oil splatter or deep frying mess, just a clean air fryer basket and a kitchen that doesn't smell like a takeout place.
  • The filling is flexible enough to work with whatever protein or vegetables you have hanging around.
02 -
  • Don't skip the oil spray step, as dumplings without it will turn out pale and chewy rather than crisp and golden.
  • If your dumplings are sticking together or the seals keep failing, your water bowl is either too wet or you're using too much water on the edges.
03 -
  • A light hand with the filling is key, because overstuffed dumplings burst open during cooking and leave you with a sad pool of filling in your air fryer basket.
  • If you don't have an oil sprayer, a pastry brush dipped in oil works perfectly and gives you more control over how much you're using.
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