This Trick Gives Store-Bought Dumplings and Potstickers Crispy, Lacy Bottoms (2024)

FAQs

This Trick Gives Store-Bought Dumplings and Potstickers Crispy, Lacy Bottoms? ›

To create this lacey layer, you make a slurry (or batter) of water, flour, and a tiny pinch of salt. Then, pour the slurry around the dumplings that are pan frying and cover the dumplings with a lid to finish the cooking process.

Pour a little oil into the pan then add the potstickers. When the bottom part of the potstickers turns light brown, pour in cold water or slurry (explained later) then immediately cover with a lid. Uncover when the water evaporates. Cook another 30 seconds or so to crisp up.

For Crispy Dumplings Use the Classic Steam-Fry

Essentially, you fry the frozen dumplings, then add water to the pan and cover them to steam through, then fry them again once the water evaporates. This double-frying creates an extra-crisp bottom crust.

For crunchy, yet tender pot stickers, first pan-fry them in oil until the bottoms are golden brown. Add water to the skillet and cover — steam the pot stickers for three minutes. Uncover and allow to pan-fry again until the water has evaporated and the bottom of the pot stickers are crunchy.

Tip for dumplings sticking to your pan:

This is a very common problem when pan frying dumplings, and most likely it is because your pan isn't hot enough. The easiest trick would be to buy a nonstick pan, but for those who don't want to spend the money, try out this test.

Keep using medium heat to pan fry the potstickers for about 6 minutes, until most of the water evaporates. Once most of the water has evaporated, open the lid. Keep using medium heat to pan fry the potstickers for about 2 more minutes, until the crust turns crispy and golden brown. Turn off the heat.

If you want to get similar results at home, there are only two tricks you really need. First is to add a bit of extra starch to your dumplings. Dust them with cornstarch, shaking off the excess before the initial fry. Second is to use a non-stick skillet, or an extremely well-seasoned cast iron pan.

How to pan-fry frozen dumplings. In a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, add ½ cup of water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place the frozen potstickers flat side-down and cover the pan with a lid for 8 to 12 minutes, until all the water has evaporated and the flat side of each potsticker is golden.

Overworking the mixture, thus having heavy dumplings is a common mistake people make. Dumplings need very gentle handling, so mix only until the ingredients are just combined, and if your recipe involves rolling them out with extra flour, avoid using too much.

What is the key to making good dumplings? ›

A pinch of salt seasons the dumplings and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Cold butter or margarine is cut into the flour mixture to bind the dry ingredients together. It also keeps the dumplings light and tender. Whole milk helps create a smooth, moist dough.

Don't scoop or pack the ingredients down. Be sure the broth is bubbling before dropping in the dumplings so the bottoms cook well at the start. Lower the heat to finish slowly cooking the dumplings completely, so they aren't soggy and doughy in the centers.

Heat a pan on medium-high with a couple tablespoons of oil in it. Once hot, add your frozen dumplings. Cook in oil for about three to four minutes, turning once to sear multiple sides. Then add just enough water to cover dumplings about halfway, turn the heat down to medium-low, and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Cover up. As you fold your dumplings, keep them covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel. This prevents the dumplings from drying out (dry skins can split when cooked). Making fresh dumpling wrappers isn't hard when you have Hetty McKinnon to guide you.

If the bottoms aren't browning to your liking, then drizzle in a little more vegetable oil and shake th pan back and forth to evenly distribute the oil.