Air Fryer Prawn Dumplings (low oil still Crispy & Juicy)
When planning for this recipe, I had one goal: crispy, juicy prawn dumplings that are larger than normal. I wanted to bite through the crispy wanton skin and enjoy the fleshy prawn filling in the middle! But my plans got hijacked the moment I opened the packet of wanton skins I ordered on RedMart — they were the tiniest I’ve seen😂 I could barely get any filling in without it spilling out of the sides. Honestly, if you’ve ever worked with wantons before, you’ll understand how frustrating it is when the wrapper is just not doing its job. Still, I pushed through because the I know it’ll still be yummy, just baby-sized.
If you're making this at home, do yourself a favour and buy larger wrappers if you want that satisfying, generous bite. But in all honesty, the moment I shared the plate of wantons with my husband, I didn’t care that they were mini wantons anymore. In fact, fried wantons at this size is fun to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy texture but low oil – all thanks to the AIR FRYER again❤️
Juicy, bouncy filling: 100% prawn, no filler ingredients
Great as a snack or side, swap the filling for other protein & veg!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: ~10 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients
350g prawns, shelled and deveined
1 egg white
½ tsp sesame oil
Pinch of salt
Dash of white pepper
Wanton wrappers (square or round — any size, but size does matter)
Neutral oil for glazing (optional but helps with golden crisp)
Method
Prep the prawns: Pat dry and hand-mince them with a knife. I avoid blenders here because uneven bits give better bite and texture.
Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the prawns, egg white, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix until the mixture feels sticky and well-combined.
Wrap it up: Spoon your filling into each wrapper and fold into your preferred shape. If your wrappers are small, go light on the filling or it’ll spill and cause the wantons to “unfold” during cooking. (TIP: Prepare a small saucer of water to seal the wantons, use your finger like sealing an envelope!)
Air fry: Place dumplings in a single layer and cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway. Around the 4-minute mark, you can brush or spray a little oil on the surfaces to help with browning. Adjust timing based on your air fryer model — every brand runs a bit different.
Product(s) Highlight
Storage & FAQ
Q1 Can I freeze these?
Yes, you can store them in layers if you separate each layer with baking paper. Once frozen, you can toss them straight into the air fryer without thawing — just add a few extra minutes.
Q2 What can I use instead of prawn?
The possibilities are endless! Even plain air fried wanton skin is yummy haha. You can swap in minced chicken/pork, fish paste, or a prawn-pork combo. You can even do vegetarian by adding firm tofu, cabbage, chives and mungbean vermicelli (tang hoon). But I personally like keeping this one 100% prawn for the sweet, bouncy texture.
Q3 Why didn’t mine turn golden?
If you skip the oil glaze, the wantons may still crisp up but won't get that deeper colour. A light brush of oil halfway through cooking helps tremendously.
Q4 Can I use gyoza skin or shanghai pastry?
You can, but the final result will differ as these skins tend to be white and may not present as golden and appealing as air fried wanton skins. The flavour and textures are different too. I think each dumpling skin should be used for their original purpose, but if its all you can find, it is worth a try still.
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