Dumplings hold great cultural significance during Chinese New Year, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, new beginnings and family unity.
Ingredients
Makes about 25 dumplings
For the filling:
- 250g chicken (pork, beef, or shrimp), minced
- 80g finely chopped pak choi (or napa cabbage)
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp potato starch (or cornflour)
- 25 dumpling wrappers (store-bought wrappers)
- Preferred oil, for cooking
- Small bowl of water, to seal the dumplings
Dipping Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- A few drops of sesame oil
- Sesame seeds and sliced chilli flakes, to garnish
Method
Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the minced chicken, pak choi, spring onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar.
- Mix everything well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Assemble the dumplings:
- Take a dumpling wrapper and place about 1 teaspoon of the filling in the centre.
- Wet the edges of the wrapper with water and fold the wrapper in half over the filling, pinching and pleating the edges to seal (make one pleat in the middle and two pleats at either side).
- Repeat until all the filling is used.
Air-fry the dumplings:
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
- Lightly brush the dumplings with oil.
- Arrange dumplings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd).
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, brushing with oil again halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Prepare the dipping sauce:
- Mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil together. Pour into a dipping bowl and garnish with sesame seeds.
- Add chilli flakes for extra flavour, if desired.
Serve:
- Serve the dumplings hot with the dipping sauce on the side. The air-fried option gives them a delightful crunch that's healthier than deep-frying. Perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year!
