Air Fryer Dumplings

Dumplings are small filled parcels prized for their juicy centre, tender wrapper and savoury dipping sauce, often served as a snack, starter or shared plate. Here, minced pork is mixed with napa cabbage, spring onion, ginger, garlic and soy sauce for a fragrant, umami-rich filling, then sealed in gyoza wrappers and cooked in the air fryer rather than steamed or pan-fried. The result is crisp at the edges while staying moist inside, with sesame oil adding toastiness and a soy, rice vinegar and chilli oil dip bringing sharpness and gentle heat.
Cuisine style Chinese-inspired dumplings
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Minimal cleanup • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Crisp outside, juicy centre: The air fryer gives the wrappers golden edges while the pork and cabbage filling stays moist inside.
  • Aromatic filling: Fresh ginger, garlic, spring onion, soy sauce and white pepper build savoury depth without needing a long cooking time.
  • Fast cooking method: Once folded, the dumplings cook in minutes at 190°C (375°F), making them practical for a quick appetizer or snack.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • For crisper edges: Keep the dumplings in a single layer with space between them so hot air can circulate around the wrappers.
  • Keep filled dumplings covered: Cover the shaped dumplings as you work so the wrappers do not dry out before cooking.

Common mistakes

  • Do not overfill: Too much filling makes the dumplings harder to seal and can prevent the pork from cooking evenly.
  • Avoid crowding the basket: Overlapping dumplings steam rather than crisp, so cook in batches if needed.

Adjust the heat

  • Make the dip milder: Leave the chilli oil on the side and let each person add it to taste.
  • Balance the chilli oil: Use extra rice vinegar if the dipping sauce needs more brightness against the heat.

Serving ideas

  • Finish with spring onion: Scatter the reserved spring onion over the hot dumplings for freshness and colour.
  • Serve with a sharp soy dip: Soy sauce and rice vinegar cut through the richness of the pork filling and keep the dumplings tasting balanced.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Finely chop the napa cabbage and thinly slice the spring onion. Finely grate the ginger and finely grate the garlic.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix the minced pork with the napa cabbage, most of the spring onion, ginger, garlic, 1 tbsp soy sauce and white pepper until well combined and slightly sticky. Reserve the remaining spring onion for serving.
  3. Place a wrapper in your palm and spoon a small amount of filling into the centre. Moisten the edge with water, fold over, and pleat to seal; repeat with the rest, keeping the finished dumplings covered as you go.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes. Arrange the dumplings in a single layer and lightly brush the tops with sesame oil. Air-fry for 9 to 11 minutes, turning halfway, until golden at the edges and the filling is cooked through.
  5. Make the dipping sauce by stirring together the remaining soy sauce with the rice vinegar and chilli oil. Serve the dumplings hot with the dip and the reserved spring onion scattered over.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Do not overfill the wrappers; a smaller amount seals more reliably and helps the dumplings cook through evenly.
  • If you are serving children or anyone sensitive to spice, put the chilli oil on the table so each person can add their own.

Substitutions

  • Replace Chili oil with Sesame oil for a non-spicy dipping sauce with a toasty aroma.
  • Replace Rice vinegar with White vinegar for a brighter, sharper dip.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 4 to 6 minutes until piping hot, turning once for even crisping.

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Air Fryer Dumplings
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 30min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Sesame Soybeans Wheat
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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Equipment you'll need

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