Recipe: Potsticker Stir-Fry (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Chinese dumpling and a Potsticker? ›

Unlike dumplings, potstickers are made with a thin wrapper, sometimes referred to as a dumpling skin. This is because they are steam fried to get a crispy golden bottom layer and to ensure that the filling is juicy and delicious.

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.

Gyoza wrappers are a thin and round flour pastry that wraps around the filling of gyoza or Japanese potstickers. The dough is made of wheat flour, water, and a pinch of salt. They get crispy when pan-fried or deep-fried and become a soft and tender, pasta-like texture when boiled.

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 starters, potstickers are Chinese while gyoza are Japanese. And beyond that distinction, gyoza tend to be smaller than potstickers, with thinner and slightly more delicate wrappers. They also may be fully steamed, boiled, or fried, rather than cooked using a combination of pan-frying and steaming.

Gyoza is the Japanese variation on the traditional Chinese recipe of potstickers. They are usually made with thinner, more delicate wrappers, and the filling is more finely textured. The thinner skins mean that gyoza get crispier than chewy potstickers.

Do you need to defrost frozen dumplings? No, you do not need to defrost frozen dumplings before cooking, you can take them straight from the freezer to the pan. If you wanted a faster cooking time, let the dumplings partially thaw for 10 minutes before cooking.

The steam-fry or potsticker technique is the classic method for Japanese gyoza or Chinese guo tie. 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.

The ingredients in a potsticker or dumpling are usually very affordable, but making them is a difficult and painstaking process, which is why they can be expensive in restaurants and stores. Making them yourself is probably cheaper, but it can take a long time to produce a large batch of potstickers.

Though considered part of Chinese cuisine, jiaozi are also popular in other parts of East Asia, where a Japanese variety is referred to as gyoza, and in the Western world, where a fried variety is referred to as potstickers.

Why are my potstickers not crispy? ›

If you're using frozen dumplings, let them defrost completely before you start pan-frying, and if you made your own dumplings with storebought wrappers, make sure they're sealed tight—the intense heat from the pan has a way of rupturing sealed edges, Helen warns.

In a 10-inch, non-stick skillet, set over medium heat, add a few teaspoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the pot stickers so they're standing up right. Cook, uncovered until the bottoms are light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water and then quickly cover with a lid.

Jiaozi (Chinese: 餃子; [tɕjàʊ. tsɹ̩]) are a type of Chinese dumpling. Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together.

While some dumplings wrappers can be similar to the thin gyoza wrappers, many Chinese dumplings and potstickers are wrapped in much thicker dough wrappers. In Japan, gyoza is almost exclusively pan-fried and steamed, served on its own or with a salty and tangy dipping sauce.