How to Cook Frozen Dumplings, Potstickers, Gyoza, Wontons
Buy our air fryer e-cookbooks today With the popularity of frozen dumplings there’s so many choices out there in the markets. Here’s our suggestions on how to cook frozen dumplings beyond the microwave. Our guide to how to cook frozen potstickers, wontons or gyoza will help put dinner on the table faster.
Video: How to Cook Frozen Dumplings, Potstickers or Wontons
Frozen Dumplings with Pre-Cooked Filling vs Raw Fillings
Our guide and timing is for frozen potstickers, dumplings, gyoza or wontons that have filling that’s pre-cooked. That’s what makes the timing so fast. But some brands now have fillings that are still raw and not cooked yet. Those will add additional timing, most likely about an extra 3-5 minutes if you’re starting with frozen raw filling.
Different ways of cooking Potstickers or Dumplings from Frozen
If you need reference photos, our recipe box below will show you step-by-step images. These can be helpful for some of you! Here’s some of our favorite dumpling recipes.
- Steaming : You can use a steam basket with a perforated liner. Even a cabbage or lettuce leaves works great as a base liner. This is what alot of dumpling restaurants will use.
- Pan Frying or Searing : Using a skillet with a lid is a classic way of cooking frozen dumplings. That way you can have a crispy base and still steam at the same time.
- Deep frying: This is a way to get them the most crispy all around the edges. But be safe because the cold icy dumplings into the hot oil can cause the oil to pop and splatter.
- Air Frying : Here’s a quick a simple way to cook frozen dumplings without alot of oil but still have some crispy edges.
- Boiling : this is great if you like soft, tender dumplings to add some homemade chili crunch to.
- Microwave is the quickest and easiest method. The steaming from the microwave makes them soft and tender. But don’t over microwave the potstickers or else they will dry out.
- Microwave-pan fry combo : this is the fastest way to get a crispy dumpling. In about 5 minutes or less you can go from frozen to having a delicious crispy dumpling.
How to Cook Frozen Dumplings/Potstickers including Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)
Ingredients
- 6-8 frozen dumplings , with pre-cooked filling
- 1-2 Tablespoons (15-30 ml) oil , depending on your cooking method
Equipment
- Steam Basket , for steaming dumplings
- Perforated Parchment Paper (optional) , for steaming dumplings
- Perforated Silicone Mats , for steaming dumplings
- Microwave , if using microwave method
Instructions
Steaming (for frozen soup dumplings or potstickers/dumplings)
- In a pot or wok that just fits under your steamer basket/trays (these bamboo steamers are our favorite) , bring a couple inches of water to a boil.
- Line your steamer with perforated parchment paper or silicone liner.
- Place the frozen dumplings or potstickers on the lined steamer and place over the pot/wok of boiling water and cover with a lid.
Steaming Soup Dumplings Timing
- Steam over the boiling water for 5-7 minutes for smaller soup dumplings and about 10 minutes for larger ones.
Steaming Potstickers/Dumplings Timing
- Steam over the boiling water for 8 minutes for smaller potstickers/dumplings and about 10 minutes for larger ones.
Microwave (for frozen soup dumplings or potstickers/dumplings)
Microwaving Soup Dumplings
- Microwave frozen soup dumplings on High for about 5 minutes or whatever your package instructions suggest.
Air Frying Potstickers/Dumplings
- Place the frozen dumplings/potstickers in the air fryer basket/tray and spread out into a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
- Spray with oil to completely coat the dumplings. Dry wrapper areas will cook hard, not crispy.
- Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 6 minutes. Check and turn the dumplings/potstickers.
- Continue to Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for another 2-6 minutes if needed until they are crispy on the outside OR until they are cooked to your liking.
Boil (for frozen potstickers/dumplings only) (we don’t recommend boiling frozen soup dumplings – they have a thinner wrapper and it will often break when boiled).
- Bring a large pot of water (filled about 2/3rds full) to a rolling boil (covering it will help speed up the heating of the water).
- Place the frozen potstickers/dumplings in the boiling water. Don’t overcrowd the pot, make sure the potstickers/dumplings have some room to move around. Boil until the potstickers/dumplings float to the top and then continue to boil for another 2-3 minutes.
- Take them out of the water with a strainer, drain, and serve.
Pan Searing (for frozen potstickers/dumplings only) (we don’t recommend pan searing frozen soup dumplings – they have a thinner wrapper and it will often break when pan seared).
- Heat 2 Tablespoons (30ml) of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the frozen potstickers/dumplings in a single layer. Cover and cook for about 1 minute or until the bottom edge is golden.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add enough water to be about 1/2-inch high or about 1/3rd the way up the dumplings. Cover the pan with a lid and steam until the potstickers/dumplings are cooked through, usually about 5-10 minutes depending on their size.
- Remove the lid and shake the pan a bit to loosen the potstickers/dumplings. Continue to cook until all the water has evaporated and the potstickers/dumplings have crisped up again.
Nutrition Information per Serving
Best Dumpling Recipes for Quick Dinners
Once you know how to cook frozen dumpkings and have the frozen dumplings ready to go you’re halfway there. The other half is deciding all the different and delicious ways to cook them. Here’s a list of some of our favorite ways to use the dumplings.
- Make microwave cheese dumplings. These are so good! the cheesy combination of soup dumplings is fantastic.
- Our quick and easy dumpling soup is SO GOOD. Seriously, it’s a meal in itself and tastes like what you would get in a restaurant.
- Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings is a game changer!
- For the dumpling sauce don’t buy it. Make it cause it’s so easy and you can customize your own flavors.
- Homemade chili crunch or chili oil is way better than buying it. Here’s our recipe for a homemade chili oil or chili crunch.
- here’s a great read on the history of dumplings.
Best Chili Crunch or Chili Oil for Dumplings, Potstickers, Gyoza
There’s different ways to eat these yummy bites. You don’t need the sauce but it’s an extra layer of flavor to have something to dip the dumpliings into. We have an awesome dumpling sauce recipe in 5 min. Use what ever you like from soy sauce, peanut sauce to hot sauce. But the most popular way is to use chili oil or chili crunch. It’s also often called chili crisp. You can make homemade chili crunch or chili crisp with our recipe or you can buy it.
Best Brand of Chili Crisp or Chili Crunch?
Over the last years a new generation of brands have come into the chili crunch crisp market. From more traditional brands to new brands with unique spices, there’s something for everyone. We love the S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil. Great texture and savory flavor. Just a touch of heat & sweet. If you want more heat, the others are fantastic options too! Our you can always make a homemade chili crisp to get it just how you like it.
Check out more of our awesome recipes
- Chili crisp mayo is another great option for dumplings.
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- the viral tunacado sandwich is pretty dang tasty
- ready for the weekend? here’s a list of our greatest hits burger recipes
- bbq meatball sliders are kids favorites.
- if you enjoyed our how to cook frozen dumplings article, please share it with everyone!
1 Comment on “How to Cook Frozen Dumplings, Potstickers, Gyoza, Wontons”
I followed your steps which were super easy and the dumplings came out so good. Thanks for the recipe.