These air fryer rice paper dumplings are one of those recipes I kept seeing and finally had to try for myself. I made mine with chicken, cooked them in the air fryer instead of frying them in a pan, and I really liked how they turned out.
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The rice paper gets crisp in places and stays a little chewy in others, while the middle stays warm and juicy. Add a dipping sauce on the side, and they make such a good lunch, snack, or easy dinner.
Check out my video below to see how I make these air fryer rice paper dumplings from start to finish! If you like it, tap like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings
What I like most is that they are much easier than they look. Once the filling is cooked and the dumplings are wrapped, they go straight into the air fryer and only need a flip halfway through.
The recipe is also easy to change depending on what you have. A little more cabbage, a little less carrot, leftover cooked chicken instead of fresh chicken… none of that is going to ruin your dumplings.
And there is no deep-frying. I just brush or spray the rice paper with a little oil and let the air fryer do the cooking.
What Are They Like?
Rice paper does not turn into the same kind of shell you get from a regular spring roll wrapper. Some parts get crisp and lightly golden, while other parts stay a little chewy.
I actually like that. You get a crisp outside, then a soft, hot filling inside with chicken, vegetables, garlic, soy sauce, and a little sesame flavor.
The dipping sauce adds a bit of saltiness, sweetness, and vinegar. I like a small pinch of chili powder in mine too, but you can easily leave that out.
Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings Ingredients
For the dumplings
- 7 ounces (200 g) cabbage
- One third of a carrot
- One small onion, or half of a large onion
- A handful of chives
- 7 ounces (200 g) boneless chicken
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 and a half tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Rice paper wrappers
- A little oil or cooking spray for the outside
For the dipping sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- Half a tablespoon vinegar
- Half a tablespoon sugar
- A couple of pinches of chili powder, optional
Equipment
You do not need anything unusual for these. I use a skillet to cook the filling, then the dumplings finish in the air fryer.
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Bowl for warm water
- Air fryer
- Tongs or spatula
Let Me Show You How I Make These Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings
Step 1: Slice the onion
Thinly slice one small onion. If your onion is quite large, just use half.
Yellow, white, or red onion all work here. I normally just use whichever one I already have.
Step 2: Prepare the cabbage
Thinly slice the cabbage and add it to a large bowl. You can use regular green cabbage or Napa cabbage.
You do not have to be exact with the amount. If your piece of cabbage is a little bigger or smaller, that is completely fine.
Step 3: Cut the carrot
Cut the carrot into thin, short strips. I would keep the pieces fairly small rather than leaving them thick.
Thinner pieces soften more easily when they cook and are much nicer inside the dumplings.
Step 4: Add the chives
I had some chives that needed using up, so I added those too. Cut them into short pieces and add them to the bowl.
The filling is pretty flexible, so green onions work well too. You can also use another mild herb if you already have some that needs using up.
Step 5: Salt the vegetables
Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the vegetables and mix them well. Leave them for a few minutes, then check the bottom of the bowl.
If some water has come out of the vegetables, just pour it away. There is no need to squeeze everything dry.
Note: Too much liquid can make the rice paper softer, so it is worth getting rid of any water sitting at the bottom of the bowl.
Step 6: Make the dipping sauce
Add the soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, and chili powder to a small bowl. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
I only add a little chili powder because I still want to taste the dumplings. If you do not like heat, leave it out.
Step 7: Cook the chicken
Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped garlic. Let the garlic cook briefly until you can smell it, then add the chicken.
Cook the chicken until it is cooked through and no longer looks raw in the middle. If you have leftover cooked meat in the fridge, you can chop or shred that and use it instead.
Step 8: Season the chicken
Add the soy sauce, sugar, and some black pepper. Stir everything together and let it cook for another minute.
Taste the filling before adding any more salt. The soy sauce already adds quite a bit, so you may not need anything else.
Step 9: Add the vegetables
Add the vegetables to the skillet and stir them through the chicken. Cook for a few minutes, just until they begin to soften.
I like leaving a little bite in them rather than cooking them until completely soft. It makes the filling much nicer to eat.
Step 10: Finish the filling
Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Let the filling cool for a few minutes before you start wrapping the dumplings.
I add the sesame oil at the end because I can taste it much better that way. You do not need much.
How to Wrap Rice Paper Dumplings
Step 11: Soften the rice paper
Add warm water to a bowl and dip one rice paper wrapper in for just a few seconds. Take it out while it still feels slightly firm.
The wrapper keeps getting softer once it comes out of the water. If you wait until it is completely soft before taking it out, it can become sticky and difficult to fold.
Step 12: Add the filling
Place the softened rice paper on your work surface and spoon some filling into the center. Keep the filling in one small pile and leave some empty space around the edges.
Fold the bottom over the filling, fold both sides in, then roll it up. Do not worry if every dumpling looks a little different… mine usually do too.
Top Tip: If your rice paper is very thin or keeps tearing, wrap the dumpling in a second softened sheet. It makes the dumpling easier to move without the filling breaking through.
Step 13: Keep wrapping
Keep filling and rolling until you have used the filling. The number of dumplings you get will depend on the size of your wrappers and how much filling you put in each one.
Do not stuff them too full. Leaving a little room makes them much easier to fold and helps stop the rice paper from tearing.
How to Air Fry Rice Paper Dumplings
Step 14: Put them in the basket
Place the dumplings in the air fryer basket with a little space between them. Try not to let them touch because rice paper can stick while it cooks.
Lightly brush or spray the outside with oil. You only need a small amount.
Step 15: Air fry until crisp
Preheat the air fryer to 356°F (180°C). Air fry the dumplings for around 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Start checking a little early because every air fryer cooks a bit differently. Take them out when the outside feels crisp and has a few lightly golden spots.
Top Tip: Do not wait for the rice paper to turn dark brown. It can be crisp while still looking quite pale.
Related Recipe: If you love easy air fryer dinners, watch my air fryer chicken thighs recipe here next. I use a simple trick I learned from a chef that helps the skin get extra crispy while the chicken stays sooo juicy
Easy Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings With Chicken
Let me show you how to make these deliciously crispy rice paper dumplings in the air fryer. The filling is really simple, but once it’s wrapped in rice paper and cooked, it turns into something so good.
4
servings20
minutes25
minutes730
kcal45
minutesIngredients
About ¼ About ¼ (200 g) cabbage
about ⅓ about ⅓ (25 g) carrot
7 ounces 7 ounces (200 g) boneless chicken
½ of ½ of (75 g) onion
small handful small handful (20 g) chives
3 cloves 3 cloves (about 9 g) garlic
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking wine
1½ tablespoons 1½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) soy sauce
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (12–13 g) sugar
3 pinches 3 pinches (about 0.5 g) black pepper
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cooking oil, for cooking
- For the dipping sauce
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce for dipping sauce
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water for dipping sauce
½ tablespoon ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) vinegar for dipping sauce
½ tablespoon ½ tablespoon (6–7 g) sugar for dipping sauce
2 pinches 2 pinches (about 0.3–0.5 g) chili powder, optional for dipping sauce
Directions
- Thinly slice onion and shred cabbage. Cut carrot into thin matchsticks and chop chives.
- Mix vegetables in a bowl with salt, let sit to release water, then drain excess liquid.
- Heat oil in a skillet; fry garlic until fragrant. Add chicken, cooking until done.
- Season chicken with soy sauce, sugar, and pepper. Stir in and cook briefly.
- Add mixed vegetables to chicken, cook until slightly softened. Add sesame oil, mix well.
- Dip rice paper in warm water briefly, then place on a surface. Add filling to the center.
- Fold rice paper over filling, roll to seal. Repeat until filling is used.
- Place dumplings in the air fryer basket, lightly oiled. Cook at 356°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
- Flip halfway, ensuring dumplings cook crispy on both sides. Serve with dipping sauce.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use leftover cooked meat: Cooked chicken, turkey, pork, or beef can all work in place of raw chicken. Chop or shred it into small pieces, then warm it with the garlic and seasoning before adding the vegetables.
- Keep the filling fairly dry: If the vegetables release water, pour it off before wrapping. A wet filling can make the rice paper softer and harder to handle.
- Do not soak too long: Dip the rice paper only until it starts to soften, then take it out. It keeps softening as you fill it, and soaking too long can make it sticky and more likely to tear.
- Double wrap if needed: If your rice paper is very thin or keeps tearing, use a second wrapper. Two layers make the dumplings easier to handle, although they will be a little more chewy.
- Use other vegetables you like: You can swap in mushrooms, green onions, bell pepper, bean sprouts, or a little finely chopped zucchini. Keep the pieces small, and if the vegetables release a lot of water, cook that off before wrapping.
- No air fryer?: Cook the dumplings in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the rice paper is crisp and lightly golden. Turn them carefully so the wrappers do not tear.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 3
- Calories: 730kcal
- Fat: 31g
- Carbohydrates: 74g
- Protein: 37g
What to Serve With Them
I like these best straight from the air fryer with the dipping sauce on the side. Sweet chili sauce is really good with them too if you want something a little sweeter.
For a simple meal, I would add a fresh salad or some extra vegetables on the side. They also work really well as a snack or appetizer.
How to Store Leftovers
These are definitely best freshly cooked because the rice paper gets softer as it cools. If you can, cook them close to the time you plan to eat them.
If you do have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Try to keep them in one layer so they do not stick together.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings
The air fryer is the best way to heat them again. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for around 4 to 6 minutes, checking them halfway through.
I would skip the microwave if you want the outside crisp again. It will warm the middle, but the rice paper usually goes soft.
Can I Make Them Ahead?
The filling is the easiest part to make ahead. Cook it, let it cool, then keep it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the dumplings.
I would wait to soften and wrap the rice paper until closer to cooking time. Once it gets wet, it becomes stickier and harder to handle the longer it sits.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you like these air fryer rice paper dumplings, have a look at some of my other easy air fryer recipes below too. There are plenty more simple dinners, snacks, and other air fryer ideas to try.
- Low Carb Air Fryer Onion Rings – No Breadcrumbs – These air fryer onion rings are crispy, flavorful, and made without breadcrumbs. They’re an easy low-carb snack or side dish when you’re craving something crunchy.
- Healthy CRISPY Air Fryer Sardines – These air fryer sardines cook up crispy on the outside while staying tender inside. They’re a quick, protein-packed option that needs very little preparation.
- Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe – These air fryer mushrooms come out juicy, savory, and nicely browned around the edges. They’re an easy side dish or snack that’s ready with minimal fuss.
And if you make these air fryer rice paper dumplings, let me know how yours turned out in the comments below or in the YouTube comments. If you have a question about the recipe, leave that too… I try to reply whenever I can.