How to Fry Pot Stickers

Pot stickers are Chinese dumplings. You can fill them with whatever fillings you like. You can also choose whatever type of dipping sauce you would like to serve with them. No matter whether you make your pot stickers from scratch or if you buy ready-made ones, the technique to fry them is the same.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Serving plate
• Non-stick pan or cast iron pot
• Lid
• Cooking oil
• Water
• Pot stickers
• Spatula
• Tongs

1. Prepare the filling for your pot stickers. Place the filled pot stickers on a plate while you prepare the pan to cook them. Prepare the dipping sauce at this time as well.
2. Pour enough cooking oil into the bottom of your non-stick fry pan or well seasoned cast iron pot to cover the bottom of the pan. Sesame or peanut oil give a traditional flavor.
3. Turn the heat on under the pot. Let the oil heat until it sizzles. Do not get it too hot or the oil may smoke.
4. Place enough pot stickers in the pan to loosely cover the bottom. Don't overcrowd them. Let them brown lightly on one side and then turn them over with the spatula.
5. Add about ½ cup of hot water to the oil. Do this very carefully because the oil may splatter when it comes in contact with the water. Cover the pan with the lid. Let the pot stickers steam until the water is gone.
6. Remove the lid. Let the pot stickers finish browning on one side. Turn them over and fry them on the other side. The amount of browning is a matter of personal taste. The browner pot stickers are crispier. If you prefer a softer pot sticker, don't brown them at all.
7. Use the tongs to place the pot stickers on a serving platter. Serve the pot stickers with their dipping sauce.

Tips & Warnings

• Pot stickers truly do stick to the pot, so be sure you use enough oil. Be sure to finish the cooking process just as soon as the water steams out of the pan.