This dumpling salad is insanely delicious! Crispy air fryer dumplings, crunchy purple cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and a creamy chili crunch dressing that ties it all together. It comes together in 20 minutes and somehow feels like both a fresh salad and a real dinner at the same time.
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I was skeptical of this one. A salad made of dumplings sounded like a recipe that photographs better than it eats. Then I made it, tweaked it, and made it again, and now it is on regular rotation in my house.
The trick I landed on is the air fryer. Pan-frying works, but the air fryer gets those edges perfectly crispy with zero babysitting, which matters when you have a two boys running around while you cook. Crispy edges are non-negotiable here. Soft dumplings turn this into a sad, soggy bowl.
I eat this as a full meal, but it works well as a side too. When the kids want something heartier I'll make my Beef and Broccoli Fried Rice alongside, or my Miso Garlic Butter Steak Bites when I want to have dinner feel a little extra special. Either way, it looks like a lot more work than it is.
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How to make (VIDEO)
Love dumpling hacks? Try these next!
- 20 Minute Dumpling Lasagna - all the dumpling, none of the folding, because life is too short to pleat
- Smashed Dumpling Tacos - juicy chicken smashed into gyoza wrappers, crispy edges and all
- One-Pan Baked Dumplings - 6 ingredients, dump it, bake it, done
- Easy Thai Red Curry Dumpling Soup - the same freezer dumplings, this time swimming in a cozy red curry sauce.
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This whole salad lives or dies on crispy dumplings, and the air fryer nails them every time. No splatter, no flipping, no standing at the stove. It crisps the edges while you prep everything else. This is the one I use almost daily.
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How to make (PICTURES)
- Step 1: Air fry the frozen dumplings until golden and crispy. Check your package, times vary by brand.
- Step 2: While they cook, prep the veggies.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the tahini, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, chili crunch, and grated ginger.
- Step 4: Toss veggies in honey soy sauce.
- Step 5: Add the dumplings and toss gently so they stay crisp.
- Step 6: Garnish with cilantro, green onion, and chopped cashews. Serve right away.
Dumpling Salad with Chili Crunch Dressing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Air fry the frozen dumplings at 400°F for 15 minutes until golden and crispy. Cook time varies by brand, so check your air fryer.20 frozen dumplings
- While the dumplings cook, thinly slice the purple cabbage on a mandolin, shred the carrots, and slice the green onions. If you don't have a mandolin, just use a knife.½ purple cabbage, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, Green onion, 1 cup carrots
- In a large bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, tahini, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, chili crunch, and grated ginger.2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chili crunch, 2 tablespoon tahini , 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- Add the cabbage and tomatoes to the dressing and toss to coat.
- Add the crispy dumplings and toss gently so they hold their crunch.
- Top with cilantro, green onion, and chopped cashews. Serve right away.2 green onions, Fresh cilantro, Chopped cashews, Sesame seeds
Notes
Storage:
This one's best fresh. The dumplings gets soggy so eat it right away.Video
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @eatwithcarmen in all social platformsWhat to serve
- Easy Shrimp Fried Rice - because a little warm fried rice next to a fresh salad is never a bad idea
- Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites - 4 ingredients, 20 minutes, dangerously crispy
- Crispy Beef Rice Bowl - crispy, saucy beef over rice to turn this into a hearty dinner
- Asian Garlic Noodles - 20 minutes to the garlicky noodles everyone fights over
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Hi, I'm Carmen!
I'm the creator of Eat With Carmen, where I share Filipino and other Asian recipes I love and grew up eating, made simple for everyday cooking.
Thank you for being here xoxo.
Frequently Asked Questions for
What is dumpling salad? It blew up on TikTok and for a reason. You crisp up frozen dumplings, pile them onto crunchy veggies, and drown the whole thing in an addictive dressing. Half salad, half dumpling dinner, all good.
What dumplings work best? Whatever's in your freezer. Pork, chicken, shrimp, veggie, they all work. Just pick ones that crisp up nicely, because those golden edges are the whole reason this salad slaps.
Can I pan-fry the dumplings instead? Totally. You'll get the same crispy edges on the stovetop. I just reach for the air fryer because it does the work while I prep everything else, no babysitting, no splatter.
Can I make this ahead? This one's best fresh. The dumplings go soft once they sit in the dressing, so if you're prepping ahead, keep the dumplings, veggies, and dressing separate and toss it all together right before you eat.
Daniela Voye says
The Best ❤️
Angela Ford says
I made this for a barbecue we went to and it was an absolute hit!!! it was so easy to put together and everybody was asking for the recipe. Must make!!!
Marian Lukes says
This is my kind of salad!!!! OMG this was delicious 😋😋🤤