Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings — Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. No more soggy dumplings! After making these many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy frozen dumplings every time. The golden, crispy exterior and the steaming hot, juicy filling will make your family beg for more. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips, including why frozen dumplings stick to the air fryer and how to prevent it. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes and Baja Fish Taco Bowls.
Why This Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with a juicy filling
- Easy and quick — ready in 10 minutes
- Better than takeout — save money and time
- Customize with your favorite dipping sauce
What You'll Need for Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Frozen dumplings (any flavor)
- Cooking spray or oil
- Soy sauce (for dipping)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Optional: Hot sauce (optional)
- Optional: Chili garlic sauce (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Frozen dumplings: Any flavor works — pork, chicken, vegetable, or shrimp.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Air fryer — Evenly cooks food with little to no oil, making it healthier and crispier than traditional methods. → See on Amazon
- Cooking spray or oil — Prevents frozen dumplings from sticking to the air fryer basket, ensuring even cooking and easy cleanup. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Prepare dumplings: Lightly spray or brush both sides of the frozen dumplings with cooking oil. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.
- Air fry: Air fry the dumplings at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy frozen dumplings to a serving plate, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
- Common mistake and fix: Why do frozen dumplings stick to the air fryer? Not using enough oil or cooking spray. To prevent this, make sure to lightly coat both sides of the dumplings before air frying.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, brush the dumplings with a bit of oil after they've finished cooking and return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Pro tip: To keep your dumplings warm while you're cooking the rest, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven until ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Frozen dumplings can be made ahead of time and cooked in the air fryer when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
Frozen dumplings can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat leftover dumplings in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat leftover dumplings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. They may lose some crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier option, try brushing the dumplings with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of water before air frying.
- Best substitution: If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the frozen dumplings in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Make-ahead: Frozen dumplings can be made ahead of time and cooked in the air fryer when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are still frozen in the middle, cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the center is heated through.
Want to level up this recipe?
Air fryer — The air fryer is an essential kitchen tool for cooking frozen dumplings perfectly every time. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Frozen dumplings (any flavor)
- Cooking spray or oil
Seasonings
- Soy sauce (for dipping)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Green onions (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Chili garlic sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Prepare dumplings: Lightly spray or brush both sides of the frozen dumplings with cooking oil. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.
- Air fry: Air fry the dumplings at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy frozen dumplings to a serving plate, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier option, try brushing the dumplings with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of water before air frying.
- Best substitution: If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the frozen dumplings in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Make-ahead: Frozen dumplings can be made ahead of time and cooked in the air fryer when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are still frozen in the middle, cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the center is heated through.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Frozen dumplings can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat leftover dumplings in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat leftover dumplings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. They may lose some crispiness.
- Make ahead: Frozen dumplings can be made ahead of time and cooked in the air fryer when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer FAQs
Yes, you can make frozen dumplings ahead of time and cook them in the air fryer when ready to serve. Store them in the freezer until needed.
Frozen dumplings can turn out soggy if they're overcrowded in the air fryer basket or if they're not cooked long enough. Make sure to cook them in a single layer and for the recommended time.
Yes, you can freeze leftover dumplings for up to 6 months. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
While you can cook frozen dumplings in the air fryer without oil, they may not be as crispy. Using a small amount of oil or cooking spray will help achieve a crispier exterior.
The best way to reheat frozen dumplings is in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy. The oven or microwave can also be used, but they may lose some crispiness.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Frozen Dumplings in the Air Fryer and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
