Save to Pinterest Last Tuesday, I was standing in my kitchen staring at a bag of frozen dumplings, wondering if I could pull off something better than the usual boiling routine. My air fryer had been collecting dust, and I thought—why not? Twenty minutes later, my roommate walked in to find me brushing glossy sesame oil onto golden-brown dumplings, and the smell alone made her forget she'd already eaten lunch. That's when I realized these weren't just a quick snack anymore; they were something worth making intentionally.
I made these for a casual game night a few months back, just tossing them together as people arrived. Someone asked if I'd ordered them from that place downtown, and I got way too much satisfaction from casually mentioning they were frozen. The sesame oil glaze was what sold everyone—it's such a simple detail, but it transforms what could've been a throwaway appetizer into something people actually remember.
Ingredients
- 20 frozen dumplings: Grab whatever variety you actually want to eat—pork, chicken, vegetable, shrimp, whatever's in your freezer. The air fryer doesn't care, and neither should you.
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil: This is the secret. Use the toasted kind you can find in any grocery store's Asian aisle; it's what gives you that restaurant-quality flavor with zero extra effort.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Balances the richness of the oil with a salty, savory hit that makes people keep eating more.
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar: Optional, but it adds this brightness that cuts through the richness in a way that feels intentional and polished.
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds: The final touch that catches the light and makes everything look like you actually know what you're doing.
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced: Fresh, sharp, and the textural contrast that keeps every bite interesting.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A light mist at the start gets you extra crispiness, but it's genuinely optional if you're okay with a slightly softer exterior.
Instructions
- Fire up the air fryer:
- Set it to 375°F and let it preheat for three minutes. You'll hear a little beep when it's ready, and that sound means you're committed now.
- Arrange your dumplings:
- Lay them out in a single layer in the basket, leaving a tiny bit of space between each one so the hot air can actually reach all sides. If you want extra crispiness, give them a light spray of cooking oil.
- First cook:
- Eight minutes at this temperature is where the magic starts. The dumplings will puff slightly and turn pale golden, like they're blushing.
- Mix your glaze:
- While they're cooking, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. The smell alone will have you second-guessing why you ever boiled dumplings before.
- Brush and return:
- Pull the dumplings out, brush each one generously with the glaze using a pastry brush, then send them back for four more minutes. Watch through the window if you can—they'll deepen to a rich golden-brown.
- Finish and serve:
- Transfer them to a plate while they're still warm, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately with extra soy sauce or whatever dipping sauce you love.
Save to Pinterest My partner took one bite and immediately asked me to make these for her work potluck the next week. I was shocked—they're literally frozen dumplings—but then I remembered that sometimes the best food moments aren't about complexity; they're about discovering that something simple can still feel special when you actually pay attention to the details.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
The air fryer circulates heat at high speed, which creates crispy, golden edges without any of the oil-splatter mess that comes with pan-frying. It's also faster and more hands-off than boiling, and you actually get texture instead of doughy softness. Once you try this method, boiled dumplings start to feel like a chore you forgot you had to do.
How to Make It Your Own
The beauty here is that you can swap in whatever flavors your kitchen already has. I've brushed them with chili crisp instead of sesame oil on nights when I wanted heat, and a friend uses garlic-infused oil when she's feeling fancy. You could even try a drizzle of hoisin mixed with a splash of soy sauce if you want something deeper and more umami-forward.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These work beautifully as a standalone snack, but they're also perfect as the opener to a bigger Asian-inspired meal. I've served them alongside rice bowls, noodle soups, and just as a starter before takeout-style dinners. You can even make them ahead and reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two if you need to prep ahead.
- For a gluten-free version, just swap in gluten-free dumplings and use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Brush them with a mix of sesame oil and sriracha if you want a spicy kick without changing your whole approach.
- Make a batch and freeze the pre-cooked dumplings if you want an even faster option for future weeknight cravings.
Save to Pinterest These dumplings proved to me that sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're bored with the usual way of doing things. Now they're my go-to when I need something fast that still feels like I actually tried.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use different types of dumplings?
Yes, pork, chicken, vegetable, or other frozen varieties all work well in the air fryer with this glaze.
- → How do I make the dumplings extra crispy?
Lightly spray the dumplings with nonstick cooking spray before air frying to boost crispiness.
- → Is it necessary to brush the sesame glaze twice?
Brushing the glaze halfway through and finishing the cook develops a rich flavor and crispy finish.
- → Can I add extra flavor to the glaze?
Yes, incorporating chili crisp or garlic-infused oil enhances depth and heat.
- → Are there gluten-free alternatives for this preparation?
Use gluten-free dumplings and tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.
- → What temperature should I preheat the air fryer to?
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for optimal texture and cooking time.