How to Cook Pot Stickers in an Air Fryer

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Make crispy pot stickers in the air fryer with a simple, homemade dipping sauce – ready in minutes! Frozen pot stickers cook up perfectly golden brown and maintain a juicy, tender filling inside. Keep a package in your freezer and heat these up for a quick snack or easy addition to a takeout-style dinner!

Are pot stickers, dumplings, and gyoza the same?

Pot stickers, dumplings, and gyoza are often grouped together, but there are slight differences between them.

First, a dumpling is a general term for ingredients packaged together with a dough and filling. Many cultures and cuisines have their own variations, but they are often cooked, steamed, or fried to enclose the filling in a wrapper.

Pot stickers originated from Chinese cooking and include a thin wrapper with meat or veggies (or a combination) and are often pan-fried for crispiness. Supposedly, pot stickers were discovered when the dough turned golden brown and crispy after being left in the pan too long.

Gyoza is a Japanese form of pot sticker, featuring meat and vegetable fillings, and a thin dough or wrapper. These are typically served as an appetizer and are smaller than traditional pot stickers.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

• The air fryer is a quick and easy way to get perfectly crispy pot stickers without a hot, greasy pan. It also helps prevent burning them in oil and heats them to a perfectly crispy outside.
• With just avocado oil spray, the amount of grease is minimal compared to pan-frying. This is a healthier way to enjoy your frozen, packaged favorites!
• This method works with any type or flavor of frozen pot stickers. Keep a few packages of pot stickers, gyoza, or other dumplings in your freezer and pull them out for a fun, tasty snack when you need them!
• These make a great appetizer, snack, or easy side dish – especially yummy for kids!
• Mix up your own dipping sauce and pop these in the air fryer. They’re ready in under 15 minutes with almost no cleanup!

Ingredients Needed

• Frozen potstickers – Choose any meat option or vegetarian, and look for any dietary specifics you may need on the packaging. I love Trader Joe’s frozen pot stickers as well as other frozen dumplings and gyoza that will cook the same way. If you have an Asian supermarket nearby, head there for a wide variety of options.
• Avocado oil spray – A simple avocado spray oil adds just enough oil to lightly brown and crisp up. Costco has great options!
• Green onions and sesame seeds for topping – These toppings jazz up the frozen pot stickers, making them even more delicious. Add as a garnish right before serving. 

Dipping Sauce

You can choose any favorite dipping sauce to complement the type of pot stickers, or use simply plain soy sauce or sweet chili sauce. If you want to mix up a tasty homemade sweet and sour sauce that goes with everything, try this combination!

• Soy sauce – Add traditional umami flavor with soy sauce, or opt for coconut aminos or tamari for a gluten-free alternative.
• Rice vinegar – This is another traditional addition for Asian sauces. It balances the soy and richness of the oil.
• Sesame oil – Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor and makes the sauce smooth and rich.
• Honey or sugar – Choose either option to add a slight sweetness that complements savory pot stickers.
• (Optional) Chili flakes or sriracha – Spice up the sauce as much as you like with either of these! Try adding a little, then taste-test before adding more.

How To Make Pot Stickers In The Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370 ℉ for 3-5 minutes.
2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
3. Arrange frozen pot stickers in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation.

1. Lightly mist the potstickers with avocado oil on top.
2. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and heated through. (Use less time if you use mini-potstickers.)

1. (Optional) Mix the dipping sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients and lightly whisking them together.

1. Serve immediately with dipping sauce and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Try out different flavors of frozen pot stickers, such as pork, chicken, shrimp, or veggie.
• Many dumplings and pot stickers are made with wheat-flour-based wrappers, but some specialty stores may offer gluten-free versions.
• Try using sesame oil instead of avocado oil spray for added flavor. 
• Create a spread of various pot sticker varieties and complementary sauces. Here are some easy dipping sauce ideas:
  1. Soy sauce with sesame oil
  2. Ponzu sauce 
  3. Garlic chili oil
  4. Sweet chili sauce
  5. Spicy mayo or Sriracha Mayo

How To Serve Pot Stickers

Serve hot and crispy pot stickers as an appetizer with dipping sauce, or paired with other favorite Asian dishes for a buffet-style meal.

Serve with Instant Pot Fried Rice, stir-fried veggies, or noodle bowls, or add to soups like miso or ramen for extra heartiness.

Pair these with other takeout-style meals for a hearty and delicious spread that meets all your cravings!

• Instant Pot Hot and Sour Soup
• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover potstickers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer 

Potstickers are best cooked from initially frozen (straight from the package). Avoid refreezing them again once cooked.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftover potstickers in the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes until hot.

More Air Fryer Recipes 

• Best Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
• Air Fryer Sriracha Shrimp
• Air Fryer Steak Bites and Potatoes
• Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Tilapia with Garlic & Lemon Butter

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