Get ready to elevate your dumpling game with my Air Fryer Cream Cheese Dumplings! My innovative dumplings feature a savory pork filling wrapped around a luscious cream cheese center, all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. With a crispy exterior and a creamy, flavorful interior, these dumplings are bursting with unique flavors that you won’t find anywhere else!
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m absolutely hooked on this recipe because it’s my own creative spin on classic Asian dumplings, featuring a delightful surprise of creamy cream cheese encased in a crunchy panko coating, all air-fried to perfection! Inspired by the juicy filling technique of xiao long bao from Din Tai Fung and crafted with the same base as my beloved Cream Cheese Dumplings, these Asian-style delights are a unique fusion treat straight from my kitchen, making them a one-of-a-kind culinary experience you won’t find anywhere else!
Perfect for when you’re craving the comforting flavors of traditional dumplings with a creamy twist, this dish is a main course masterpiece that delivers juicy, crunchy, and utterly delicious bites every time! You won’t be able to resist diving into these mouthwatering dumplings paired with a simple soy sauce vinegar dipping sauce—a true fusion delight that’s sure to satisfy!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Ground Pork – preferred with greater than 20% fat content.
- 2 Pieces Dried Shiitake Mushrooms – Dried Shiitake Mushrooms that is packaged and can be found at Asian grocery stores. Can substitute with fresh shiitake but will result in less umami flavors.
- 1 tbsp Panko – panko bread crumbs.
- 1 Cup Cabbage – fresh and chopped.
- 2 Cloves Garlic – freshly grated garlic.
- 1 tsp Ginger – freshly grated ginger.
- 1 Stalk Green Onion – fresh and chopped.
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil – 100% Toasted Sesame Oil that should have a dark brown color.
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
- 1 tbsp Half and Half – a blend of half heavy cream and half milk. Can be purchased at grocery stores.
- 1 Whole Egg – white or brown eggs, beaten.
- 1 tsp Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
- 1/2 tsp Salt – sea salt preferred.
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper – ground.
- 3-4 tbsp Cream Cheese – use block cream cheese and not spread. To soften quickly, place in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- 1 Whole Egg – white or brown eggs, beaten. Used for the panko crust.
- 1 Cup Panko – panko bread crumbs. Used for the panko crust.
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free. Used for the sauce.
- 1/2 tsp Distilled White Vinegar – store brought distilled white vinegar. Used for the sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can substitute ground pork with Ground Turkey or Chicken and achieve fantastic results.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Ensure your Cream Cheese is at Room Temperature before mixing to achieve a smooth and creamy foam texture.
Step 1 Combine ground pork, chopped hydrated shiitake mushrooms, panko, chopped cabbage leaves, grated garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, half and half, egg, Japanese sake, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
Step 2 Take a small amount of the dumpling mix and form a small patty. In the middle of the patty, place a block of cream cheese and form a ball. Repeat until all the dumping mix is used up then coat each dumpling with beaten egg bath followed by a coat of panko.
🥢 Dumpling Pro Tip
For the best dumpling serving, make them Bite-Size.
Step 3 Place the coated dumpling in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 360F for 16-20 minutes until the outside is golden brown.
🌡 Internal Temperature Check
Ensure your cream cheese dumplings are perfectly cooked by confirming that the internal temperature reaches 165°F while also checking for a light brown tint on the outside.
🍽️ Serving Pro Tip
Serve these dumplings with a dipping sauce made by mixing Soy Sauce with White Vinegar.
Recipe Variations
You can use the same recipe without the panko coating to create a simpler and lighter version of Cream Cheese Dumplings.
Pairing Recommendations
Pair these delightful dumplings with simple side dishes like a refreshing green salad dressed in my Wafu Salad Dressing or a flavorful Garlic Kale Stir Fry. For a complete meal, serve alongside a comforting bowl of Egg Drop Miso Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these dumplings instead of air frying them?
While air frying gives the dumplings a crispy texture without deep frying, you can bake them in the oven at around 375°F for 16-20 minutes until golden brown.
Can I freeze these dumplings for later?
Absolutely! After assembling the dumplings, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
Storage Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Cream Cheese California Roll
- Cream Cheese Garlic Dip
- Air Fryer Japanese Chicken Katsu
- Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
Watch How To Make It
Air Fryer Cream Cheese Dumplings
Ingredients
Dumplings
- 1 lb Ground Pork fat>20% preferred
- 2 Pieces Dried Shiitake Mushroom
- 1 tbsp Panko
- 1 Cup Chopped Cabbage ~ 3 Leaves
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1/2 Inch Ginger
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Half & Half or heavy cream
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 3-4 tbsp Cream Cheese
Crust
- 1 Egg
- 1 Cup Panko
Sauce
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Distilled White Vinegar
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Cut 1 tbsp of cream cheese into 1/4, so each tbsp will yield 4 cubes. You should end up with 12 cubes. Each dumpling will need 1 cube, so you may need more or less depending on your exact batch size.
- Soak dried shiitake mushroom in warm water until it softens, should be about 5-10 minutes. De-stem, dice mushrooms and add to a mixing bowl. Note - you can proceed to the next step while waiting for the shiitake mushroom to re-hydrate and come back to it.
- In the same bowl, combine panko, diced cabbage, grated garlic, chopped green onions, ground pork, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, half and half, 1 egg, Japanese sake, salt, black pepper and mix well.
- Take a small amount of dumpling mix and make a patty, place the cream cheese on top, and softly cup the edges of the patty to form a ball. Each ball should around the size of a golf ball and you should end up with around 10-14 dumplings. Place on holding plate once done.
- Prepare crust by beating an egg in 1 bowl and panko in another bowl.
- Take a dumpling, dip/coat into beaten egg, then into the panko, and finally transfer to air fryer tray. Air fry @ 360 for 16-20 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160F.
- In the meantime, prepare the sauce by combing soy sauce and distilled white vinegar. Once dumplings are cooked, serve with accompanying dipping sauce.
Nutrition
*Values Based Per Serving
Hi,
I do not gave an air fryer, how can I make this recipe in the oven?
You can try to bake with convection in the oven following the same directions. Will work, but the crust might not be as crispy.
hi this looks so yummy! I need clarification on your servings. is it 10 dumplings are serving or there are 10 servings in this recipe. It’s a bit confusing as you list the calories right underneath the servings making it appear to me that a serving is 10 dumplings. thank you so much for your time!
Hi Ana! The recipe makes 10 servings of dumplings, and the serving size would be around 3-5 dumplings. Hope that helps.