Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

5 from 10 votes

Jun 12, 2022, Updated Nov 20, 2023

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If you’ve ever been to a Chinese restaurant that serves pan-fried dumplings, you’ve probably seen the Crispy Dumpling Skirts that look web-like, also known as “wings” surrounding the dumplings. They’re crispy and add an amazing contrasting texture with the soft, steamed dumpling.

This recipe for Crispy Dumpling Skirts will be sure to impress your friends and family – they’re easy to achieve at home with a little technique and perfect with a homemade dumpling dipping sauce!

Note: this method was using freshly wrapped dumplings. If you are using frozen dumplings, you can still achieve the crispy skirt! Please read the recipe notes for adjustments.

Watch the Crispy Dumpling Skirt Recipe Video Below!

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Ingredients for Crispy Dumpling Skirt

The ingredient list is extremely short to make an authentic crispy dumpling skirt at home! Here is what you’ll need:

  • Neutral oil (I prefer Avocado oil)
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Corn starch
  • Kosher Salt
  • Water
Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

My Top Ingredient Tips for Making Crispy Dumpling Skirts

INGREDIENTS TIPS

CORN STARCH
If you don’t have corn starch readily available, I would recommend using potato starch rice flour.

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! Avoid using olive oil due to the stronger flavor profile.

Combine the Dumpling Skirt Mixture

To make your dumpling skirt mixture, get a medium sized measuring cup and add 3/4 cup of filtered water. Next, combine the flour, corn starch, neutral oil, and salt and mix well until combined.

This solution will be what is used to steam and pan-fry the dumplings! The oil will crisp up the dumpling skirt and small web-like lattice will form that becomes extremely crisp! Once you get it down, you’ll never want to make dumplings another way again!

Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (4)
Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (5)

Cooking the Dumplings

To cook the dumplings, start by adding 1 tbsp of neutral oil to an appropriately sized pan based on how many dumplings you are making. You don’t want a pan too large or else it will require too much of the mixture to steam. Heat the oil over medium high heat and lay your dumplings in a circular pattern in the pan.

Brown the bottom for 2-3 minutes to give the dumplings some color. Give the dumpling skirt mixture a quick mix prior to pouring in the pan (the starch will sink to the bottom), then pour enough of the mixture to about 1/4 of the way up the dumplings. If you’re cooking frozen dumplings, add a little extra mixture (about 1/3 of the way up the dumplings) to account for the slightly longer cooking time. Watch the video recipe for more in depth instructions!

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My Top Recipe Tips for Crispy Dumpling Skirts

RECIPE TIPS

WHAT DO I DO WITH SO MANY DUMPLINGS?
You can freeze them! I always make extra to freeze for the future. I like to lay them flat without touching each other on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 min – 1 hour before moving them to a freezer friendly Ziploc bag. When cooking, I would add an extra 1-2 minutes if they are frozen.

HEAT MANAGEMENT
A non-stick pan is best for this recipe over medium to medium high heat. You want the oil to eventually crisp up the bottom of your dumplings, and a medium high heat should achieve this. Don’t put the heat too high, otherwise you’ll burn the bottoms of your dumplings.

If you want to practice making these crispy dumpling skirts, try them with some of my most popular dumpling recipes!

  • Pork Dumplings
  • Vegetable Dumplings
  • Pork and Shrimp Wontons

5 from 10 votes

Crispy Dumpling Skirt

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 4

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

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Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (7)

This crispy dumpling skirt recipe will give your dumplings the impressive crispy lattice skirt that is famous in so many restaurants!

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix together neutral oil, water, flour, corn starch, and salt.

  • Pan fry your dumplings as you normally would in 1 tbsp of oil for 2-3 minutes over medium high heat (check out my dumpling recipe here). Once they are golden brown, add about 1 cup of the mixture (enough to come up to 1/4 way up the dumpling) to the pan and cover. If cooking frozen dumplings, add more of the mixture to come up to 1/3 of the dumpling.

  • Steam for 5-6 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the residual oil is left and remove the lid. The skirt will form and become golden brown. Watch this carefully to ensure it does not burn and remove!

  • Serve your dumplings with your favorite dumpling sauce and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make store bought dumplings crispy? ›

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.

How do you keep fried dumplings crispy? ›

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.

Why are my dumplings not crispy? ›

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. To make sure your pan is at the correct temperature, try the water droplet test.

What is the secret to perfect dumplings? ›

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.

How do you cook store bought dumplings? ›

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.

How to make crispy frozen dumplings? ›

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.

How do you make Trader Joe's potstickers crispy? ›

As the video shows using Trader Joe's gyoza, all you need to do is put a little oil in a nonstick pan, add the dumplings, add a little water, and cover to let the tops steam for a minute. Then you add what the video calls the “secret ingredient”: a slurry of flour and water, which gives it a nice, crispy bottom.

What is the difference between potstickers and gyoza? ›

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.

What is the best oil to fry dumplings in? ›

The panfrying method starts with lightly frying dumplings in a generous splash of neutral oil, like canola or vegetable, then finishes the cooking process by creating intense steam from pouring liquid into the hot pan. Start by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of neutral oil to a nonstick pan over medium-high heat.

Why are my fried dumplings hard? ›

Using too much flour: If you use too much flour in your dumpling dough, the dumplings will be dense and tough. Be sure to measure the flour carefully and follow the recipe closely. Using the wrong type of flour: Different types of flour have different protein levels, which can affect the texture of the dumplings.

How do you make frozen potstickers crispy? ›

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.

Why do my dumplings come out dry? ›

You'll know you've overcooked the dumplings when the wrapper is disintegrated. If you overcook your dumplings in the steamer or when boiling, the dough of the wrappers will have a gummy texture that isn't very pleasant, and your filling might get dry and tough.

Why are my homemade dumplings mushy? ›

Simmering broth might not be hot enough to raise the dumpling dough. Remove or tilt the lid after they've cooked so the dumplings don't over-steam and get soggy and dense.

Why are my homemade dumplings hard? ›

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough

Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour. The dough might look a little lumpy, but that's okay! Overworking the dough is one of the easiest ways to end up with tough dumplings.

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