These Air Fryer Chicken Rice Paper Dumplings are a delicious, healthy twist on traditional dumplings, made easy with the convenience of an air fryer. Packed with flavorful ingredients like sriracha, garlic, and spring onions, these dumplings are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive appetizer.
Air fryer rice paper dumplings are versatile and popular year-round, but they tend to be especially popular during colder months and around special occasions like Lunar New Year, when dumplings are traditionally enjoyed. Their crispy, warm texture makes them a comforting snack or appetizer during winter gatherings and holiday parties.
In the UK, air fryer dumplings have gained popularity as a quick, healthier alternative to traditional fried dumplings, perfect for cozy evenings, festive gatherings, or as a trendy, easy high protein snack. In the US, they’re a hit during game days and casual get-togethers, offering a lighter, healthier twist on traditional fried dumplings. The ease of preparation of the rice paper dumplings in the air fryer also makes them a go-to for quick weeknight meals or appetizers for festive occasions.
If you would like to try some more traditionally wrapped dumplings than this crispy rice paper dumplings recipe, try my easy homemade soup dumplings recipe! For a fusion, Indian twist on traditional dumplings, my butter chicken dumplings are a must try. If you are looking for something to make with your left over rice paper, try these Katsu Chicken Curry Sushi Rolls. If you want to make dumplings with this filling using dumpling dough, try my homemade dumpling wrappers recipe.
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Ingredients
Chicken Mince - Chicken mince serves as the protein-rich base of the dumplings. It’s lean, absorbs flavors well, and cooks quickly in the air fryer, making it an ideal choice for a light yet satisfying filling.
Sriracha - Sriracha adds a spicy, tangy kick to the dumpling filling, enhancing the flavor profile without overpowering it. This chili sauce brings heat and a touch of sweetness, balancing the other savory ingredients.
Spring Onions - Spring onions provide a fresh, mild onion flavor that complements the chicken in the rice paper dumplings. Their slight crunch adds texture to the filling, while their vibrant color brightens the dish.
Chives - Chives add a subtle oniony note that’s more delicate than that of spring onions. They enhance the overall flavor and bring a touch of herbaceousness to the dumplings.
Garlic - Minced garlic infuses the filling with a rich, aromatic depth. It’s essential for adding a savory, slightly pungent flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and soy sauce.
Light Soy Sauce - Light soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, which seasons the chicken mince and brings all the flavors together. It’s lighter in color and less intense than dark soy sauce, making it perfect for this dish.
Salt and Pepper - Salt and pepper are crucial for seasoning, enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken and other ingredients. They ensure the dumpling filling is well-balanced and flavorful.
Egg - Egg is used as a binder for all of the ingredients and will ensure the filling will be well mixed and juicy.
Rice Paper Sheets - Rice paper sheets serve as the delicate, crispy wrapper for the dumplings. When air-fried, they become golden and crunchy, providing the perfect contrast to the tender, juicy filling.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
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- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken mince with chopped spring onions, chives, minced garlic, egg, sriracha, light soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cut each of the rice paper wrappers in half using scissors. Dip one half at a time into water for 5 seconds, just enough to soften it. Place the softened sheet of rice paper on a flat surface.
- Step 3: Add 1-2 teaspoons of the chicken filling to the center of each rice paper half. Fold the corners over the filling, then bring the edges in until they meet in the middle, pressing gently to seal. It’s okay if the folds aren’t perfect; just ensure the filling is securely wrapped.
- Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Place the dumplings in the air fryer tray and lightly brush or spray with olive oil or any cooking oil. Ensuring the dumplings are not touching to avoid sticking. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the dumplings are crispy and cooked through, working in batches if necessary.
5. Step 5: Once the dumplings are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Serve sprinkled with chives and sesame seeds, served hot with chili oil, soy sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy these crispy, flavorful dumplings as a snack, appetizer, or light meal!
Hint: Make sure the rice paper edges are sealed tightly around the filling to avoid leakage during cooking.
Substitutions
Chicken Mince - Substitute with ground turkey or tofu. Ground turkey is lean, similar to chicken, and absorbs flavors well, making it a great alternative. Tofu works as a vegetarian option, crumbling similarly to minced meat and easily taking on the dish's flavors.
Sriracha - Replace sriracha with hot sauce or chili paste. Hot sauce offers a similar heat level with varying flavor profiles, while chili paste provides a thicker texture and robust flavor, keeping the spicy kick intact.
Spring Onions - Substitute with finely chopped leeks or shallots. Leeks have a mild, sweet flavor, similar to spring onions, while shallots offer a slightly more intense onion taste, both adding a fresh bite to the rice paper dumpling filling.
Chives - Swap with green onions or parsley. Green onions provide a similar mild onion flavor with a bit more crunch, while parsley offers a fresh, herbaceous note, though less oniony, making the filling of the rice paper dumplings more aromatic.
Garlic - Use garlic powder or shallots as a substitute for garlic. Garlic powder delivers a concentrated garlic flavor without the texture, while shallots add a milder, slightly sweet garlic-onion flavor, ensuring the dish remains savory and flavorful.
Light Soy Sauce - Substitute with tamari sauce or coconut aminos. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative that offers the same umami depth. Coconut aminos provide a slightly sweeter, lower-sodium option, still delivering that savory, salty balance.
Salt and Pepper - Replace with soy sauce alone or a seasoning blend like all-purpose or Cajun seasoning. Soy sauce adds enough saltiness, making additional salt unnecessary, while a seasoning blend can introduce more complexity to the flavor profile.
Rice Paper Sheets - Substitute with wonton wrappers or thin egg roll wrappers. Wonton wrappers provide a similar thin, crisp texture when air-fried, while egg roll wrappers offer a slightly thicker, more substantial crunch, both effectively encasing the dumpling filling.4o
Variations
Pan fried - To pan fry the crispy dumplings, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat or medium-high heat. Place the filled rice paper dumplings seam-side down and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat if needed to avoid burning. Serve hot with dipping sauce for a crispy, golden alternative. The chicken mince chicken mince should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
Pork and Cabbage - Swap chicken mince for ground pork and add finely shredded cabbage. The pork’s richness complements the cabbage’s crunch, creating a more traditional dumpling flavor with a juicy, tender filling for the rice paper dumplings.
Vegetarian / plant-based diet - Replace chicken mix of tofu, chopped veggies and finely chopped mushrooms. The mushrooms add a meaty texture and umami flavor to the dumplings, while tofu keeps the rice paper dumpling filling hearty and protein-rich.
Spicy Shrimp Dumplings - Substitute chicken mince with chopped shrimp and increase the sriracha for extra heat. The shrimp adds a sweet, succulent flavor to the rice paper dumplings, perfectly paired with the spicy kick.
Scallion oil - To elevate your dumpling experience, make a sizzling scallion oil. Heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola) in a small pan until it’s shimmering. Remove from heat and quickly add 3-4 finely sliced scallions and a pinch of red pepper flakes, allowing them to sizzle and infuse the oil with their aromatic flavor. Drizzle sizzling scallion chili oil in to the dumpling filling before mixing for a burst of freshness and richness.
How to serve the rice paper dumplings
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Rice Paper Dumplings is all about enhancing their crispy texture with the perfect accompaniments. For a classic dipping sauce, mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of chili oil. This simple yet delicious sauce adds a tangy, umami-rich flavor that complements the savory chicken filling of the delicious dumplings perfectly.
Equipment
Chopping board
Sharp knife
Storage
Store any leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, place the uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Air fried frozen dumplings can be stored for up to 2 months. Reheat refrigerated dumplings in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes until crispy. For frozen dumplings, increase the cooking time to 12-15 minutes.
Top Tip
Dip the rice paper briefly in water to soften just enough for folding without tearing. This ensures easy handling while making sure the rice paper edges are sealed tightly around the filling to avoid leakage during cooking.
FAQ
Rice dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If frozen, they can last up to 2 months. Reheat them in an air fryer or steamer before serving.
No, rice paper and dumpling wrappers are different. Rice paper is thin and translucent, used for fresh or fried spring rolls, while dumpling wrappers are thicker, made from wheat, and used for traditional dumplings.
Unopened rice paper can last up to a year when stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, keep it tightly sealed to maintain freshness, and it should last several months.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with rice paper dumplings:
Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Rice Paper Dumplings
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken mince 1.1lbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon sriracha
- 3 spring onions chopped
- 10 g chives chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 16-20 sheets rice paper cut in half
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken mince with chopped spring onions, egg, chives, minced garlic, sriracha, light soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.500 g chicken mince, 2 tablespoon sriracha, 3 spring onions, 10 g chives, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, Salt and pepper
- Cut each rice paper sheet in half using scissors. Dip one half at a time into water for 5 seconds, just enough to soften it. Place the softened rice paper on a flat surface.16-20 sheets rice paper
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of the chicken filling to the center of each rice paper half. Fold the corners over the filling, then bring the edges in until they meet in the middle, pressing gently to seal. It’s okay if the folds aren’t perfect; just ensure the filling is securely wrapped.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Place the dumplings in the air fryer tray and lightly brush or spray with olive oil or any cooking oil. Ensuring the dumplings are not touching to avoid sticking. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the dumplings are crispy and cooked through, working in batches if necessary.
- Once the dumplings are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Serve hot with chili oil, soy sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy these crispy, flavorful dumplings as a snack, appetizer, or light meal!
