How To Cook Frozen Dumplings - The Typical Mom

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How to Cook Frozen Dumplings

By Justine

5 from 1 vote

Updated Sep 28, 2025

Published Jan 10, 2024

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Jump to Recipe How to Steam Frozen Dumplings

This is the temp and timing of how to cook frozen dumplings in Instant Pot, microwave or steamed on the stove to tender. Tips and tricks of the best way to cook them right out of the freezer to tender.

How to steam dumplings without a steamer

This is possible. On the stove you can boil 1 c. of water in a pot and set 4 wadded up pieces of foil inside with a plate on top of that. Rub olive oil on plate and place frozen dumplings on top with a lid on your pot to steam to tender.

In a microwave you should place your pieces in a bowl filled with hot water submerging them all the way. Cover with a plate or vented plastic wrap and heat for 3-4 minutes until they are nice and tender.

You could do this in a pan by bringing 2 inches of cold water or chicken broth to a boil and set Chinese dumplings inside. Spoon boiling water over the top until water has evaporated mostly, remove and enjoy. Pan frying would be last on my list as I think pressure cooked turns out best by far.

Or you can steam in an Instant Pot using our instructions below using a vegetable steamer basket or trivet.

If you find yours are double this size I would increase by 1 minute only, it doesn’t take long. If defrosted ahead of time I would decrease timing by 1 minute, it’s that simple.

Six dumplings steam gently in a stainless steel basket inside instant pot, revealing the simple art of cooking frozen dumplings to perfection.

How Long to Steam Dumplings in Instant Pot

You can see how well these turned out for us here, bite size take just 3 minutes and are really nice especially with kids so they can pop them right in. Especially if you have picky eaters at home, finger foods are always more enticing. Larger ones like our sweet potato dumplings may need 1 extra minute though. Bite sizes like are in Instant Pot chicken and dumplings would take 0 minutes to steam

Ninja Foodi (Option)

Below are instructions for using either an IP, Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker. It doesn’t matter the brand but with the Foodi there are two lids, you will use the one that is not attached for this one.

Tips for Success

You will need some sort of steamer basket with holes in the bottom ideally. A vegetable steamer works as well. If you don’t have either you could use a plate that fits inside with a ramekin turned upside down underneath it to elevate

You just set them inside with a light spray of olive oil on it so they don’t stick and it only takes a few minutes to cook all the way thru. The liquid below is important, could be water or broth. The latter will add a bit of flavor but doesn’t make a huge difference.

It doesn’t matter what meat you have inside. If you have made them from fresh that is great too. I would change the timing from 3 to 2 if your meat inside isn’t cooked, or just 1 minute if you’ve precooked the insides and just need to steam the dough.

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Frozen Dumplings Recipe

By Justine How to cook frozen dumplings in Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or on the stove to tender. Best way of steaming chicken pork or vegetable dumplings. Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 3 minutes Servings: 4 Save RecipeSaved! Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

1 pressure cooker

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ 8 small dumplings, frozen
▢ 1 cup water, or broth
▢ 1 spray olive oil spray

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Instructions

Pour cup of water into the inner pot. Lower trivet with steaming basket on top into pot. Spray inside of basket with olive oil spray so they don't stick.
Place frozen dumplings in one layer into basket. Close lid and steam valve shut. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes (2 min if homemade or defrosted) followed by a quick release.
Use tongs to lift out of basket and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 96kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 189mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Entree, Side DishCuisine: American, Japanese Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

Can you Fry Frozen Dumplings?

If you want to deep fry dumplings in this state you could, but I don’t like submerging any food in oil personally. You would just add the dumplings for a few minutes and lift out with a slotted spoon. I prefer to boil in a soup like our Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings instead. Either way check internal temp and once dumpling is cooked thru, dot on a paper towel to absorb oil and enjoy.

Can you steam frozen dumplings in an air fryer?

Yes, essentially you would follow the same steps as we did with our air fryer potstickers. The key to this is that you need to get the insides tender first. We do this initially wrapped in wet paper towels microwaved for a few minutes. Then air fry to finish and add a bit of crisp to the edges.

You may be surprised at what they begin to like if you introduce new foods on a regular basis to your kids. “Just one bite” was required of mine for years and now they are very experimental eaters because they have learned that you just never know, and some of those weird things actually taste amazing.

See how you can steam tamales in Instant Pot too. That could be your next cultural night, Mexican food of all kinds….I mean talk about delicious too right?

Dumpling Sauce Ideas

To make dinner more fun you could offer a few others too. Soy sauce is a given but ponzu is great as well as trying something new like bang bang sauce. Our Panda like sweet and sour sauce is great too.

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About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

More About Me Frozen chicken pieces in the Instant Pot, ready to be cooked to perfection.