Save There's something almost magical about discovering that frozen dumplings can taste better than restaurant versions. I learned this by accident one weeknight when my air fryer was my only cooking option, and I had a bag of dumplings waiting to be used. The sesame oil glaze was purely improvisation—a drizzle here, a brush stroke there—but the result was so unexpectedly crispy and deeply flavored that I started making them this way intentionally.
I served these to a friend who'd just moved into an apartment without a proper stove, and watching her face light up when she tasted them was worth every minute. She kept asking if they were homemade, refusing to believe frozen dumplings could be this good, which somehow made them taste even better.
Ingredients
- Frozen dumplings: Choose any variety—pork, chicken, vegetable, or shrimp—since the air fryer crisps them all beautifully regardless of filling.
- Sesame oil: This is where the magic lives; it transforms simple dumplings into something aromatic and sophisticated.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami depth and saltiness that balances the richness of the sesame oil perfectly.
- Rice vinegar: A small splash brightens everything and keeps the glaze from feeling too heavy, though it's entirely optional if you prefer richer flavors.
- Toasted sesame seeds: The final garnish that makes them look intentional and adds a subtle crunch.
- Green onions: Their freshness cuts through the richness and reminds your palate that this is still a light, elegant bite.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Optional but worth using if you want edges that shatter between your teeth.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it warm for 3 minutes while you arrange dumplings in a single layer with space between them. If you're using cooking spray, give them a light mist now.
- First Cook:
- Air fry for 8 minutes—you're looking for them to start turning golden at the edges but still holding their moisture inside. This is the foundation everything else builds on.
- Make the Glaze:
- While the dumplings are cooking, whisk sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar together in a small bowl until combined. The smell alone will make you hungry.
- Brush and Finish:
- Remove the basket carefully, brush each dumpling generously with the glaze using a pastry brush, then return them for 4 more minutes until the edges deepen in color and crisp up. The sesame oil will caramelize slightly, creating an irresistible golden exterior.
- Plate and Garnish:
- Transfer to a serving plate while still warm, then shower with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with extra soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce on the side.
Save These dumplings became my answer to those moments when someone stops by unexpectedly and I want to seem like I have my kitchen life together. The fact that I'm pulling from a frozen bag feels like a secret I keep to myself.
The Art of Seasoning from Frozen
Frozen dumplings are already fairly neutral in flavor, which means they're a blank canvas waiting for you to paint on them. The sesame oil glaze isn't just a coating; it's the primary flavor experience, so it needs to be bold enough to stand alone. I've experimented with adding a tiny pinch of white pepper to the glaze, a drizzle of chili crisp, minced garlic, or even a whisper of ginger, and each version transforms the same frozen dumpling into something entirely different.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
A pan-fried version of these dumplings would require oil, constant attention, and the ability to get them evenly crispy on both sides. The air fryer removes all that friction from the equation. You set it and step away, and when you come back, the dumplings have achieved a crust that rivals the best dumpling houses in any city. The heat circulates so completely that every surface gets equally crispy, something a traditional pan simply cannot guarantee.
Beyond the Basic Version
These dumplings are endlessly adaptable depending on what you're craving and what you have on hand. Sometimes I double the batch and freeze them after the first cook, so all I need to do is glaze and air fry for 4 minutes whenever the craving hits. Other times, I'll serve them over a simple greens salad for a light meal, or pile them into a soft bun as an unconventional sandwich. They also work beautifully alongside rice and stir-fried vegetables as part of a larger meal, or solo as the kind of snack you eat standing up while doing something else entirely.
- For extra umami depth, try adding a teaspoon of miso paste mixed into your glaze.
- If you make a double batch, you can refrigerate the unglazed air-fried dumplings and glaze them fresh the next day.
- Leftover dumplings are somehow even better cold, though they're best reheated in the air fryer for 2 minutes to restore their crispness.
Save What started as a weeknight shortcut has become my go-to move whenever I want to feel like I've accomplished something in the kitchen without actually spending much time there. These dumplings remind me that sometimes the best cooking is the kind that makes people happy without requiring perfection.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use different types of dumplings?
Yes, pork, chicken, vegetable, or any preferred frozen variety works well with this method.
- → How does sesame oil enhance the flavor?
Sesame oil adds a nutty, aromatic richness that complements the crisped dumpling exterior beautifully.
- → Is nonstick cooking spray necessary?
It’s optional but helps promote extra crispiness and prevents sticking in the air fryer basket.
- → Can I adjust the glaze ingredients?
Yes, you can add rice vinegar for tang or use chili or garlic-infused oils for deeper flavor variations.
- → What temperature is used for air frying?
The dumplings are air fried at 375°F (190°C) to achieve a golden, crispy texture in about 12 minutes total.