Reheating other types of Asian dumplings is usually a walk in the park. However, reheating potstickers is another case.
Now you will be wondering why is that so?
Actually, potstickers are different from other Asian dumplings because they are softer and juicer from the inside and crispier from the bottom.
Therefore, while reheating potstickers, the aim is to maintain their unique texture besides the taste.
If you desire to learn how to reheat potstickers, you have come to the right place. We are about to tell you the best technique to reheat potstickers.
But wait! Some of you might be new to potstickers and want to know about this unique type of dumplings. That’s why we have decided to start with the basics.
Contents
What are Potstickers?
Potstickers are the Chinese version of dumplings. They are first lightly fried in oil, then steamed in water or broth, and then fried again until they crisp up from the bottom.
These dumplings are covered with sticky wrappers that can stick to the pan if not handled appropriately, hence the name.
Potstickers are a ubiquitous appetizer in many Asian countries. Many people outside of Asia are also familiar with them, thanks to their frequent appearance on Chinese restaurant menus and at fast-food restaurants with Asian-inspired menus.
What are Potstickers Made of?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to Potstickers’ filling, wrapping, steaming, and frying. You can either stick to the traditional recipe or substitute ingredients according to your taste. What matters is the method of making the potstickers ( more on this later).
Filling/Stuffing
While the traditional filling includes ground pork, you can substitute it with whatever ground meat you prefer. The most common veggies used are cabbage, mushrooms, onions, ginger, and garlic.
As for taste, people add soy sauce, rice wine, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil to the filling. You can add or minus ingredients.
Wrapping
The recipe asks for round Asian dumpling wrappers, also known as dumpling skins, potsticker wrappers, or gyoza wrappers. They’re thin dough sheets formed from wheat flour and water.
You can find these wrappers in the refrigerated department of your grocery store. If your grocery shop doesn’t have them, you may use wonton wrappers instead.
Steaming and Frying
Generally, people steam potstickers in water and fry them in vegetable oil. You can use broth or any other oil. Steaming potstickers in chicken broth instead of water will enhance the taste further. In addition, frying them in extra virgin olive oil will give you a health benefit.
How to Make Crispy Potstickers?
The Traditional Way
- Create stuffing by combining ground pork with finely chopped cabbage, and green onion.
- Add soy sauce, chili sauce, and rice vinegar to taste.
- Place the wrappers one by one, add the stuffing in the center, and close them with the help of a fork or pleating.
- Now heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place dumplings flat side down in the skillet. Keep distance between the dumplings. Fry until the undersides are faintly brown (about 2 minutes).
- On low heat, pour ⅓ cup of water around the dumplings and swiftly place the lid on.
- Without increasing the heat, let them simmer until all liquid has evaporated. It will take about 5-7 minutes for the potstickers to cook from the inside.
- Remove the lid, turn the heat from low to medium, and cook for another 2-3 minutes to crisp up the bottoms.
Keep checking the potstickers by slightly turning from the corner because you don’t want burnt bottoms.
Once crisp, turn off the heat. Place the potstickers on a plate or baking pan lined with paper towels and serve with a dipping sauce.
How to Reheat Potstickers?
Remember, potstickers are not frozen food items. You cannot simply toss them into the microwave oven and expect them to turn out perfect. You will lose the texture.
On the other hand, pan-frying frozen potstickers will result in burnt or tasteless potstickers. So, what to do?
Worry not! We have the fool-proof method that could help you enjoy potstickers that are crisp from the bottom and juicy and soft from the inside.
Reheating Potstickers: Fool-Proof Method
We recommend you reheat the potstickers in two steps to attain the perfect result. As we said earlier, only microwaving them won’t work. However, pre-heating them in the microwave before pan-frying them is the most promising technique.
Here’s how you can microwave and pan-fry potstickers efficiently:
1st Step: Reheat in the Microwave
- Arrange the potstickers on a microwave-safe plate in a non-overlapping pattern.
- Set the timer for 30 seconds. Rearrange and turn the potstickers for even heating.
- Again, set the timer for 30 seconds or until they reach the temperature of 160°F internally.
2nd Step: Sauté Them in a Pan
- Heat nearly 2 tablespoons of oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
- Place 10-12 potstickers on the skillet without over stuffing the pan.
- Heat the potstickers for 30-60 seconds in the hot oil.
This will keep the crispiness of the wrapper and make your potstickers taste virtually as good as they did the first time.
Can You Make Potstickers Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make and freeze potstickers until you’re ready to enjoy them. While you can freeze them either cooked or raw, we recommend freezing them without frying them.
This way, you can take out your potstickers from the freezer, thaw them for a few minutes, and reheat them following the method mentioned above.
Keep in mind that reheating them after frying will be more complicated.
How to Freeze Potstickers?
If you are worried about freezing market-bought potstickers, take a chill pill. Shake the packet to detach the potstickers and freeze them until later. Just make sure that they do not defrost meanwhile. Otherwise, they will stick together.
If you have made a bunch of potstickers at home, pre-freeze them individually to avoid them sticking together. After lining the baking sheet with parchment paper, place potstickers on it and freeze until firm. After that, pack them all in a zip-lock plastic bag and place them in the freezer. Simple!
You can freeze your favorite potstickers for up to 2 months.
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