Making Frozen Potstickers in the Air Fryer is an incredibly simple and quick way to cook up these delicious dumplings. Enjoy potstickers as an easy dinner, appetizer option for parties and game days, or a snack.
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Air frying frozen potstickers (sometimes called dumplings) is the best way to make them crispy on the outside and hot and tender on the inside. Much like air fried baby potatoes and sweet potatoes or air fried frozen corn dogs, taquitos and chicken nuggets, potstickers turn out with a crisp golden brown exterior and super soft and fresh interior. Whether you use vegetable potstickers, chicken potstickers, or pork potstickers the method and results are the same- a delicious and super easy dinner or appetizer in minutes!
Are Potstickers, Dumplings and Gyoza The Same Thing?
Dumpling is a broad term that encompasses a range of filled dough dishes. Dumplings can be sweet or savory, and the fillings may include meat, vegetables, seafood, or other ingredients.
Potstickers are a type of Chinese dumpling typically filled with a mixture of meat and/or vegetables. Usually the dumplings are first pan-fried to create a crispy bottom and then steamed to cook the filling. The dumplings can stick to the pan during the initial frying, hence the name.
Gyoza is a type of dumpling that originated in Japan and is similar to a Chinese potsticker. It consists of a thin dough wrapper filled with a mixture of ground meat, finely chopped vegetables and seasonings. Gyoza are cooked using a similar method to potstickers.
So while all potstickers and gyoza are dumplings, not all dumplings are potstickers or gyoza. But you can use them interchangeably in the air fryer using the same method, timing and temperature as I give you here.
Ingredients
To air fry potstickers you need:
- Choice of frozen potstickers or dumplings (vegetable or meat)
- Olive oil or oil cooking spray
- Soy sauce or other dipping sauce, for serving
- Green onions, if desired for serving
How To Make Frozen Potstickers In An Air Fryer
STEP 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (188 degrees Celsius). Brush the air fryer basket or tray lightly with oil. If your air fryer does not require preheating, you do not need to do so.
STEP 2: Working in batches if necessary, place the potstickers on the basket or tray with space between so they do not touch. Spray generously with oil cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing or spraying with additional oil. Cook until potstickers begin to brown and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
STEP 3: Remove the cooked potstickers using tongs. Serve garnished with sliced green onions, soy sauce or other potsticker dipping sauce.
Tips from the Chef
- Air fry frozen dumplings in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly.
- Completely coat the potstickers with oil to prevent them from drying out or becoming burnt.
- Flip the potstickers part way through cooking and recoat with oil to further ensure they do not become dry.
- Use frozen dumplings, wontons or gyoza instead of pot stickers.
What To Serve With Potstickers
A simple soy sauce or dumpling dipping sauce is the perfect way to serve your air fried potstickers.
As a dinner, they make a great main dish along with this delicious Instant Pot fried rice and savory chicken lo mein. As an appetizer, they pair perfectly with slow cooker beef and broccoli and this Asian-inspired crockpot pepper steak. You can even add them to this Instant Pot wonton soup.
How To Store
Store air fried potstickers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be refrozen and stored in the freezer in freezer safe storage bags for up to 3 months for optimal quality.
Recipe FAQs
Frozen potstickers in air fryer take between 8 to 10 minutes to cook. This is dependent upon your brand air fryer and potsticker brand, as air fryers vary in their power. Use the 8 to 10 minute time as a guideline and adjust as needed for your air fryer.
Yes! If using fresh dumplings, thawed potstickers or homemade potstickers, air fry them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes, about half the time as frozen dumplings. The internal temperature should still be 165 degrees Fahrenheit when done.
Yes, you should flip dumplings in the air fryer half way through (or when your air fryer indicates). This is so you can brush or spray the underside with additional oil which keeps the potstickers from drying out.
If your dumplings turn out too dry once done air frying it's likely because you did not use enough oil. This is an easy fix for next time, but in the moment you can brush them with soy sauce or potsticker dipping sauce to add some tenderness to the dumpling wrapper.
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 46 oz bag of frozen potstickers vegetable, chicken or pork
- olive oil cooking spray optional
- soy sauce or dip for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (188 degrees Celsius). Brush the air fryer basket or tray lightly with oil. If your air fryer does not require preheating, you do not need to do so.
- Working in batches if necessary, place the potstickers on the basket or tray with space between so they do not touch. Spray generously with oil cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing or spraying with additional oil. Cook until potstickers begin to brown and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Remove the cooked potstickers using tongs. Serve garnished with sliced green onions, soy sauce or other potsticker dipping sauce.
Kristin
Quick and easy way to cook potstickers. These directions worked perfectly! Potstickers are a favorite appetizer in my family, so I love how using the air fryer helps me get them on the table faster!
samantha r kennedy
I usually steam and then pan fry my potstickers. Gave this method a try and they came out great. Nice and easy!
Lisa Grant
This really is the best way to cook potstickers! Thanks for all the tips!
Savita
These frozen potstickers in the air fryer are a game-changer! I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for a quick and easy way to satisfy my potsticker cravings, and I'm so glad I did.
Sharon
Crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside – it's like having restaurant-quality potstickers at home. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!