How to Cook Trader Joe's Potstickers in the Air Fryer
Trader Joe's frozen potstickers have been a longtime favorite of mine, especially their Chicken Gyoza Potstickers. They're seriously SO delicious! If you haven’t tried them yet, trust me, you’re missing out. You need to run over to Trader Joe's and grab a bag tonight! These potstickers are tasty, easy, quick, and super convenient. I mean, who doesn’t love a good Trader Joe's meal that you can throw together in a pinch?
And if you know me, you know I have to air fry just about everything. The package gives instructions for pan frying, steaming, microwaving, and even tossing them into a soup—but oddly enough, no air fryer directions! That’s where I come in. I’ve tested the air fryer method so you don’t have to, and I’m ready to share my favorite tips and tricks to get those potstickers perfectly crispy and delicious!
Why Air Fry Your Potstickers?
Crispness: There’s nothing more satisfying than that crunch when you bite into a potsticker! Using the air fryer is an amazing way to achieve the delicious texture we all love!
Minimal Cleanup: One of the best things about using the air fryer is how easy it is to clean up afterward! You don’t have to deal with a ton of oil, compared to traditional pan-frying that often leaves you with a greasy mess.
Less Oil Required: I love that the air fryer uses little to no oil when cooking potstickers! It’s such a healthier option compared to pan-frying, which usually calls for a ton of oil to get that perfect crunch.
Quick Reheating: The air fryer heats up super fast, so I can reheat my potstickers in just a few minutes—way quicker than using the oven!
More Trader Joe's Air Fryer Recipes
Ingredients You'll Need:
Trader Joe's Frozen Chicken Gyoza Potstickers
Avocado oil spray
Sesame seeds (optional, for serving)
Scallions, finely chopped (optional, for serving)
Your favorite dipping sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. This step helps ensure even cooking.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray to prevent the potstickers from sticking.
Place the frozen chicken gyoza potstickers in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t touch. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking.
Lightly spray the tops of the potstickers with avocado oil spray. This helps them get that crispy golden brown finish.
Air fry the potstickers at 400°F (200°C) for a total of 7 minutes.
After about 3-4 minutes, flip the potstickers to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
Once the potstickers are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer.
If you like, garnish with sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions for an extra pop of flavor and texture.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce on the side.
6. Air Fry: Air fry the potstickers at 400°F (200°C) for a total of 7 minutes. Resist the urge to peek!
7. Flip: At the halfway point (after about 3-4 minutes), carefully flip the potstickers using tongs or a spatula for even cooking. This ensures both sides get crispy and golden brown.
8. Remove From Air Fryer: Once the potstickers are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. You can check for doneness by looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
9. Garnish: Garnish with sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions if desired. This adds a pop of color and texture to your delicious creation.
10. Choose Your Sauce: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Soy sauce with a touch of rice vinegar is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment! Hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, or even a spicy mayo sauce are all great options.
Storage
Store any leftover potstickers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the potstickers for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
Keep in mind that they might not get quite as crispy as when you first cooked them. To help enhance the crispiness, you can lightly mist them with a small amount of oil before placing them in the air fryer.
Alternatively, you can microwave them on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Just keep in mind that the potstickers will be softer and not as crispy as they would be when reheated in the air fryer.
Jazz's Tips and Tricks:
Preheat the air fryer: This helps ensure the potstickers start cooking immediately and gives them that crispiness on the outside without overcooking the inside.
Light oil spray: Don’t skip the oil spray! It ensures the potstickers get that beautiful golden brown exterior without sticking to the basket.
Flip halfway through: For crispy results, be sure to flip the potstickers after about 3-4 minutes of cooking.
Serve them hot: Potstickers are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when they’re hot and crispy!
Jazz's Recommended Products:
The Our Place Wonder Oven can air fry, roast, bake, broil—you name it! It saves me so much space and time since it handles multiple cooking tasks all in one.
Read all about it here: Our Place Wonder Oven Review.
Dipping Sauce Recommendations!
Spicy Mayo Sauce: This creamy, flavorful sauce is a delicious upgrade on classic mayo! You can usually find it pre-made at most grocery stores, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can easily whip up your own at home using my recipe here!
Classic Soy Sauce: Sometimes, simple is best! A good soy sauce is always a tasty option. If you want a little extra flavor, just add a splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a nice tang.
Hoisin Sauce: If you haven’t tried hoisin yet, you’re missing out! This thick, flavorful sauce is a must-have in Chinese cuisine. It has a sweet, savory, and slightly garlicky taste that goes perfectly with potstickers.
Sweet Chili Sauce: For those who like a little kick, sweet chili sauce is the way to go! Made with chilies, sugar, and vinegar, it delivers a sweet and spicy punch that will definitely wake up your taste buds.
Other Options: Don’t feel limited to just these! Get creative and try out other dipping sauces you love, like sriracha, sesame oil, or even your favorite BBQ sauce. The sky’s the limit!
FAQs
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Absolutely! A light spray of vegetable oil or olive oil will work just as well. Both options will help achieve that crispy texture we all love!
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Air-fried potstickers are a delicious snack and healthy side dish for a variety of meals. They pair wonderfully with stir-fry, noodles, or even grilled chicken or fish.
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Yes, any frozen dumplings will work with this recipe, including egg rolls, vegetable potstickers, and wontons. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary based on the brand, so check them regularly. They are done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees f, as checked with a meat thermometer.
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For safety, the internal temperature of cooked dumplings should reach at least 165°F (74°C). Use a food thermometer to check.
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To prevent sticking, lightly mist the air fryer basket with oil before adding your potstickers.
With air frying, you can enjoy crispy dumplings at home in just minutes—what’s not to love? Air frying is undoubtedly the best way to achieve that perfect crispy texture we all crave. Air fryer dumplings like these Trader Joe’s potstickers make for an easy recipe or a quick easy appetizer. I hope you love these Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza as much as I do! Let me know your favorite dipping sauces in the comments—I’d love to hear your go-to combinations!
Enjoy!