Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

5 from 11 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!

Crispy Dumpling Skirt - CJ Eats Recipes (2)

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 11 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 do I get my 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.

What kind of oil do you use to fry dumplings? ›

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.

How to get a crust on dumplings? ›

Instructions
  1. Pan-fry dumplings with oil for 2 minutes on medium-high heat until slightly golden. ...
  2. Mix together water, cornstarch, flour, and salt to create a slurry.
  3. Gently and evenly pour the slurry into the pan. ...
  4. Place the lid on the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
Jan 18, 2023

How to make Trader Joe's dumplings 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.

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? ›

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough

First, mix the dumpling ingredients just until the dough comes together. You'll whisk together the dry ingredients, then add melted butter and heavy cream. Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour.

How do you keep fried dumplings crispy? ›

COOKING THE DUMPLINGS

Don't be stingy with the oil. If you use less oil, the dumpling skirt won't be as crispy and some of it may stick to the pan. Once the pan is hot, arrange the dumplings on the pan. If you want to serve the dumplings all in one piece, make sure to concentrate the dumplings to the center of the pan.

How long do you pan-fry dumplings for? ›

Cook the dumplings

Add dumplings to an oiled skillet, pleated side up. Pour 1/2 cup water into pan; cover and cook until bottoms are crisp, 12 to 14 minutes.

Can you fry dumplings in a frying pan? ›

In a large, non-stick pan, heat 1-2 tbsp. of oil over medium heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and fry on both sides until golden brown (you will need to do this in batches). Once golden brown, add a few tablespoons of water and cover with a lid to steam for about 3-5 minutes until the pork is cooked through.

Why are my dumplings hard and not fluffy? ›

Overmixing will develop the gluten in the Bisquick, which will make the dumplings tough. Instead, stir the dough just until the ingredients are combined. Let the dough rest for a few minutes before dropping it into the broth. This will give the gluten time to relax, which will also help to make the dumplings fluffy.

Why do you put cornstarch in dumplings? ›

The cornstarch will absorb excess water, which will then convert to steam, allowing the bottoms to form that crisp crust.

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.

Why are my dumplings gummy? ›

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. If you overcook them in the pan, you risk a similar gummy texture on top and a bitter, burnt crust on the bottom.

Why are my homemade dumplings chewy? ›

If you are using a high-protein flour, such as bread flour, the dumplings may be tough. Using a lower-protein flour, such as all-purpose or cake flour, can help to make the dumplings softer and more tender. Overworking the dough: If you knead the dough too much or handle it too much, it can become tough.

How do you get the flour taste out of dumplings? ›

I suspect the reason you notice a decidedly flour-y taste is because you aren't adding salt, or not using enough salt. Yes, even sweet baked goods need salt! Another thing you can use to counteract the raw, flour taste is to add flavorings to the batter or dough.

Why do my dumplings come out dry? ›

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 hard? ›

Be sure to follow the cooking time recommended in your recipe, and check the dumplings regularly to make sure they are not overcooked. 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.

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