Pin it I discovered the magic of air fryer dumplings by accident one Thursday night when I had a bag of frozen dumplings staring at me from the freezer and zero patience for steaming or pan-frying. The air fryer seemed like a wild gamble, but brushing them halfway through with sesame oil and soy sauce transformed something I'd normally rush through into something I actually wanted to eat slowly. That first batch came out impossibly crispy on the outside, tender inside, and it's been my go-to ever since.
My friend Sarah came over unexpectedly on a random Tuesday and I threw these together while we caught up in the kitchen. She kept asking what I was making something smell that good, and when I told her it was just frozen dumplings and my air fryer, she looked genuinely skeptical until she took that first bite. Now she texts me photos of her own batches, which feels like the highest compliment.
Ingredients
- Frozen dumplings (20 pieces): Use whatever kind you love—pork, chicken, or vegetable all work beautifully, and this recipe doesn't judge your freezer choices.
- Sesame oil (2 tablespoons): This is the star that elevates everything; toasted sesame oil gives a deeper, nuttier flavor than regular.
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon): The savory backbone that brings everything into balance.
- Rice vinegar (1 teaspoon, optional): A tiny splash adds brightness and keeps the glaze from feeling too heavy.
- Toasted sesame seeds (1 teaspoon): The textural moment that catches between your teeth in the best way.
- Green onions (2, thinly sliced): These add a peppery freshness that makes the whole thing feel intentional.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Optional but worth using if you want maximum crispiness on every edge.
Instructions
- Heat your air fryer:
- Set it to 375°F and let it preheat for a full 3 minutes so the basket is genuinely hot when the dumplings hit it.
- Arrange and spray:
- Spread the frozen dumplings in a single layer with actual space between each one—they need room to get crispy, not crowded like they're competing. A light coating of cooking spray helps them brown faster.
- First cook:
- Air fry for 8 minutes without touching them, letting the outside develop a light golden color.
- Make the glaze:
- Whisk sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar together in a small bowl—the mixture should smell rich and inviting.
- Brush and return:
- Use a pastry brush to coat each dumpling generously with the glaze, getting into the creases where the flavor sticks.
- Finish cooking:
- Air fry for another 4 minutes until the edges are deeply golden and the glaze has set into a glossy coat.
- Plate and garnish:
- Transfer to a serving plate and top with sesame seeds and green onions while still warm so everything clings to the glaze.
- Serve immediately:
- Eat them hot with extra soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce on the side.
Pin it These dumplings became my secret weapon for making my apartment smell like a restaurant. Every time I make them, the smell gets my roommate out of bed, and suddenly we're both sitting at the kitchen counter debating which dipping sauce matters more. That's when I realized this recipe isn't just about the food—it's about creating moments where people actually show up.
Flavor Variations to Try
Once you nail the basic technique, the glaze becomes your playground. Swap the sesame oil for chili crisp to add heat and texture, or drizzle in a tiny bit of garlic-infused oil for something deeper. I've also played with adding a drop of lime juice or a pinch of white pepper, and each version feels like a different mood. The dumplings themselves don't really care what filling they have—they're equally happy being elevated by any of these combinations.
Dietary Tweaks and Substitutions
Gluten-free is easy here: just grab gluten-free dumplings and swap regular soy sauce for tamari, which gives you the same deep umami without the wheat. For dairy-free, you're already there since sesame oil and soy sauce are naturally plant-based. If you need nut-free, check your dumpling labels since some fillings sneak in tree nuts, but the recipe itself never brings any in.
Serving Ideas and Timing
These work equally well as a sneaky appetizer before a bigger meal, a standalone snack when you need something substantial fast, or part of a wider Asian-inspired spread with rice and stir-fried vegetables. The time window for serving them hot is maybe 10 minutes before they start losing their crispiness, so have everything else ready and people at the table before you pull them from the air fryer.
- Pair with cucumber salad or steamed bok choy for a more complete meal.
- Make a dipping sauce bar with sriracha, sweet chili, and extra soy sauce.
- Double or triple the batch because leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer for 3 minutes.
Pin it Air fryer dumplings have become the thing I make when I want to impress someone without actually cooking, and that's exactly the kind of recipe I keep coming back to. They remind me that the best food doesn't need to be complicated, just thoughtfully prepared and served with actual care.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use different types of frozen dumplings?
Yes, pork, chicken, vegetable, or any preferred frozen dumpling variety works well with this method.
- → What temperature should the air fryer be set to?
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for optimal crispiness.
- → Is it necessary to use cooking spray?
Cooking spray is optional but helps achieve extra crispiness on the dumplings’ surface.
- → Can the sesame oil glaze be customized?
Absolutely, add chili crisp or garlic-infused oil for a different flavor profile if desired.
- → How do I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free dumplings and tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free variation.
- → What is the best way to serve these dumplings?
Serve hot, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, alongside dipping sauces.