Air Fried Pork Dumplings (Printable version)

Golden pork dumplings air fried and served with spicy chili oil for a flavorful bite.

# Ingredient List:

→ Filling

01 - 9 oz ground pork
02 - 2 spring onions, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
05 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
07 - 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
08 - 1 teaspoon sugar
09 - 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
10 - 1/2 cup napa cabbage, finely shredded
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

→ Dumplings

12 - 24 round dumpling wrappers, gyoza or wonton style
13 - Water for sealing
14 - Cooking spray or vegetable oil

→ Chili Oil

15 - 4 tablespoons chili oil
16 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
17 - 1 teaspoon black vinegar or rice vinegar
18 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - 1 teaspoon finely chopped spring onion, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, spring onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, sugar, white pepper, napa cabbage, and cornstarch. Mix until well combined and slightly sticky.
02 - Place a dumpling wrapper in your palm and spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of filling into the center. Dip your finger in water and moisten the edge of the wrapper.
03 - Fold wrapper in half and pinch edges firmly to seal, creating pleats if desired. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Cover completed dumplings with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Lightly spray or brush dumplings with oil. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
06 - Air fry at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning dumplings halfway through cooking, until golden and crispy.
07 - While dumplings cook, mix chili oil, soy sauce, black vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, and optional spring onion in a small bowl.
08 - Transfer hot dumplings to a serving plate and present with chili oil sauce on the side for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy Texture: Achieve a perfect golden crunch without the mess of deep frying.
  • Juicy Filling: The combination of pork, napa cabbage, and aromatics stays moist and flavorful.
  • Bold Dipping Sauce: The spicy, tangy chili oil elevates the dish to restaurant-quality status.
02 -
  • Freeze for Later: Dumplings can be frozen before cooking and air fried directly from frozen; just add 2–3 minutes to the total cooking time.
  • Moisture Control: Keep the wrappers covered with a damp towel while assembling to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
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