Unless you have been living under a rock all this time, I’m more than sure that you have heard about these cloud-like treats.
Dumplings are a Chinese delicacy that is usually made with some sort of vegetable or meat filling and served with some sort of dipping sauce. You can pan-fry them, steam them, and even bake them; the decision is up to you.
To answer your question right away, yes, you can freeze your leftover dumplings both cooked or uncooked, and we have the perfect way to do so.
To freeze uncooked dumplings, first, let them cool off completely, line a baking tray with wax paper or parchment paper, and transfer your dumplings to the baking tray.
Place the baking tray in the freezer for an hour so they solidify. After an hour, take the baking tray out of the freezer and transfer your frozen dumplings to an airtight container lined with parchment paper or a baking sheet, and you can go ahead and pop them back in the freezer.
To freeze cooked dumplings, place them directly inside an airtight container or a freezer bag and freeze them immediately. Make sure you use an airtight container to make sure your dumplings don’t get a freezer burn.
If you want to find out more interesting topics and facts about dumplings then please keep up with the rest of the article.
Can You Freeze Dumplings?
You absolutely can freeze dumplings both cooked and uncooked. But, before you do any of that, you need to know some other things about what type of dumplings should be frozen right away and what type can hold at room temperature or in the fridge for a little longer.
I recommend freezing your fresh dumplings right away if they have a meat filling because they can easily spoil if they’re left on room temperature.
There is a difference between freezing cooked dumplings and freezing uncooked dumplings but don’t worry, we got your back and will explain how to do it both ways.
How To Freeze Cooked Dumplings
- After cooking your dumplings in any way you want, let them cool off completely on room temperature.
- After cooling off, place your dumplings in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Make sure you seal the freezer bag tightly so the dumplings don’t get a freezer burn.
- Be careful with placing your dumplings in the bag/container as they are fragile and can easily break and get damaged.
- Keep your dumplings in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen chicken/meat dumplings will last in the freezer for 3 or 4 months.
- You can defrost your dumplings using a microwave oven or a regular microwave. Set the microwave on medium-low heat and microwave them for 1-2 minutes.
Note: If you are using a zipper-lock freezer bag, make sure to get as much air as possible from the bag, almost like a vacuum, and seal it real tight.
This is why I always recommend freezing food in an air-tight container as it’s so much easier to get all the air out of it.
How To Freeze Uncooked Dumplings
- Take a wide baking tray and line it with a single layer of parchment paper or wax paper and sprinkle a little bit of flour or cornstarch on top of the paper.
- Take your uncooked dumplings and transfer them to the baking tray, leaving some space between each of them to prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Place the baking tray of dumplings in the freezer for 2-3 hours so they are completely frozen.
- As soon as your dumplings are completely frozen, you can go ahead and place them in an air-tight container or a freezer bag.
- If you have to freeze a larger amount of dumplings, separate them into multiple freezer bags or containers.
- Make sure to always label your frozen food with the exact date you freeze it, I find it really helpful and reassuring.
- You can cook your frozen batches of dumplings as you would regular dumplings; in an air fryer, a pan, or steam them. You can even use the deep frying technique.
How To Make The Easiest Homemade Dumplings
Making homemade dumplings for a special occasion is always a great idea. I know it looks a little intimidating to make but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Just follow this recipe carefully and I will try my best to teach you how to master making the perfect homemade dumplings just in time for dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of plain flour plus some more for some light dusting.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- 2 tablespoons of oil.
- 1 cup warm water.
- 1 cup leftover chicken/cooked meat.
- 3 cloves minced garlic.
- 1 cup red cabbage.
- A couple of tablespoons of sesame oil.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Dipping Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce(I prefer sweet soy sauce for this sauce).
- 1/4 rice vinegar or 1/8 cup white vinegar.
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil or vegetable oil.
Making the dumplings:
- In a medium bowl, combine your flour, salt, oil, and water. Mix it all up until you get a smooth, doughy consistency. If you feel that your mixture has a little bit of moisture loss, add a little bit more water.
- Transfer your dough to a floured surface and knead it for 5 minutes or until your dough is soft.
- Divide the dough into four pieces and roll them into thin, pancake-like circles.
- Fill your individual pieces with a filling of minced garlic, chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce, ground ginger, and red cabbage.
- Lightly take your dough and press the top with your fingers, folding it shut.
- Fry dumplings in a wide pan coated with vegetable oil until they’re golden brown. The cooking time really depends on the dumpling size.
- Another way to cook this delicious appetizer is in the air-fryer. Just pop a couple of dumplings in the air fryer basket, set the air fryer temperature to medium, and air-fry them for 10-15 minutes.
- You can keep them for a couple of days in the fridge or freeze them immediately. Do not freeze your hot dumpling right away, first let them cool off completely.
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Freezing Homemade Dumplings
You can freeze your homemade dumplings either cooked or uncooked. The freezing process is pretty much the same as the store-bought dumplings.
You can transfer your cooked dumplings into heavy-duty freezer bags and seal them tightly to prevent the Irish of freezer burn or you can use freezer containers.
Uncooked dumplings need to be transferred on a baking dish lined with a cookie sheet or baking paper and be put in the freezer for two hours before you transfer them into airtight freezer bags or a container.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Freeze Homemade Dumplings
If you want to freeze uncooked dumplings, first transfer them to a baking tray with parchment paper and put them in the freezer for 2 hours.
After that, place them in airtight freezer bags or an air-tight container and freeze them again. Cooked dumplings can be frozen in airtight bags immediately after they’ve cooled off completely.
Can You Freeze Homemade Stew And Dumplings
Yes, you can. Although your dumplings may be a little bit stiff after they’ve been frozen and reheated, you can freeze the stew and dumplings, storing them in an airtight container or a gallon-sized freezer bag, preventing the chance of freezer burn.
Should I Freeze Dumplings Raw Or Cooked
I recommend you always freeze your dumplings while they’re still not cooked. You can defrost them and then cook them just in time for dinner. Cooked dumplings will be a little bit complicated to defrost and reheat.
