If you’re anything like me and love meals that come together fast without skimping on flavor, you’re going to adore this Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little fancy but honestly takes less than 20 minutes from freezer to table. Juicy, golden dumplings get tossed with baby pak choi and a sticky, tangy sweet chili sauce – trust me, your weeknight dinners will never be the same once you try this!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick & Easy: Frozen dumplings cook from frozen and only take about 20 minutes total.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The sweet chili, soy, and vinegar combo gives you sweet, savory, and tangy in every bite.
- Healthy Veggies: Baby pak choi adds a fresh crunch and vibrant color that makes this stir fry feel light yet satisfying.
- Minimal Cleanup: All cooked in one pan, which means less time washing up and more time enjoying your meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe works together to create delicious layers of flavor and texture. I find that using quality frozen dumplings and fresh baby pak choi really makes a difference. Keep an eye out for fresh ginger and garlic to boost that aromatic punch!
- Sweet chilli sauce: Choose a good-quality sweet chilli sauce for that perfect balance of sweet heat.
- Soy sauce: Light soy sauce works best here to add savoriness without overpowering the sweet chilli.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that brightens the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Freshly grated garlic really enhances the aroma and depth.
- Fresh ginger: Adds warmth and a slight zing to keep things interesting.
- Light oil: Neutral oils like vegetable or canola work great for frying without masking flavors.
- Frozen dinner dumplings: Using frozen gyoza means no extra prep – just toss them in straight from the freezer.
- Baby pak choi: Its crispness and mild flavor bring freshness that balances the dish.
- Spring onion: A handy garnish that adds a subtle oniony bite.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Toss on top for a nutty crunch and an extra layer of texture.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can tweak the veggies or swap out dumplings for different varieties based on what you have on hand or dietary preferences.
- Protein Twist: I once tossed in shredded cooked chicken along with the dumplings for extra protein, and my family went crazy for it.
- Veggie Upgrade: Feel free to add thinly sliced bell peppers or snap peas for more color and crunch.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free dumplings and tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the sauce safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
- Heat it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or extra fresh chilli if you want to kick up the spice level.
How to Make Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Pan & Dumplings Ready
Start by heating the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat—patience here pays off because you want that oil shimmering hot but not smoking. Arrange your frozen dumplings in the pan, flat side down, so their bottoms start to crisp up. While that’s going, whisk together the sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated garlic, and ginger with two tablespoons of cold water. Set this flavorful mix aside—you’ll add it later to really glaze your dish.
Step 2: Crisp Both Sides & Add Pak Choi
Once the bottoms of the dumplings turn a lovely golden brown, flip each one carefully to crisp the other side as well. While you’re doing that, halve your baby pak choi lengthwise and tuck them around the dumplings, cut-side down. You’ll notice the pak choi starting to soften and color nicely, which adds an enticing visual and great texture to contrast with those crispy dumpling edges.
Step 3: Finish with the Sticky Sauce
When your dumplings are crisped through and thawed, and the pak choi is just tender with some color, reduce the heat to medium. Pour that enticing stir fry sauce over everything and cook while stirring gently — this helps the sauce thicken to a glossy, sticky coating that clings to the dumplings and veggies perfectly. This step brings the dish together and is the moment when those flavors really marry.
Step 4: Serve & Garnish
Serve straight from the pan into warm bowls for best results. Sprinkle sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds on top for that finishing touch—I always find these simple additions take this quick dish to feeling restaurant-worthy in no time.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe
- Warm Your Pan Well: A hot pan helps get dumplings crispy without steaming them soggy.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give dumplings room to crisp evenly—crowding will steam them instead.
- Watch Your Pak Choi: Baby pak choi cooks quickly, so add it later to keep that fresh crunch.
- Sticky Sauce Magic: Adding a little cold water to the sauce helps it loosen just enough to cook smoothly without burning.
How to Serve Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for topping this dish with lots of thinly sliced spring onion and toasted sesame seeds—the onions add freshness and a subtle crunch, while the sesame seeds give that irresistible nutty finish. Sometimes I even sprinkle on a few chili flakes for an extra kick if I’m feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
Your stir fry is already a great meal on its own, but if you want to amp it up, try serving it alongside steamed jasmine rice or some fluffy cooked noodles. I’ve also enjoyed it with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a sprinkle of sugar—so refreshing against the richness of the dumplings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist when entertaining, I like to place the stir fry in a large shallow serving dish and scatter extra garnishes on top—makes it feel celebratory and perfect for sharing. You can even serve the dumplings in small, colorful lettuce cups to make it more interactive and fresh.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 days; just be mindful the dumplings soften a bit over time but the flavors remain delicious.
Freezing
If you want to prep in advance, you can freeze the cooked dumplings without the pak choi and sauce. Just cool them completely before freezing in a single layer on baking sheets, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can reheat and stir fry with fresh pak choi quickly later.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer a skillet over the microwave—toss leftovers in a dry pan over medium heat to bring back that crisp texture, then add a splash of water and the stir fry sauce to refresh the flavors and soften the pak choi slightly. It’s almost like freshly made all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh dumplings for this Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe?
Absolutely! Fresh dumplings will work just as well, though they will cook faster than frozen ones, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. You might want to steam or pan-fry them lightly first before adding them to the stir fry.
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Can I substitute pak choi with other vegetables?
Definitely! Baby bok choy is a direct substitute, but you can also use spinach, napa cabbage, or green beans depending on what you have. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to keep veggies crisp.
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Is this recipe spicy?
This dish has a gentle heat from the sweet chilli sauce but isn’t overwhelmingly spicy. You can control the spice level by choosing a milder sauce or adding extra chili flakes if you want it hotter.
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How do I avoid soggy dumplings in the stir fry?
Make sure your pan and oil are hot before adding frozen dumplings and don’t overcrowd the pan so they crisp properly. Also, adding the sauce at the end helps keep them from getting too soft.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe has become my go-to for busy nights when I still want something packed with flavor and fun textures without any fuss. I absolutely love how it turns out every time — crispy dumplings drenched in a sticky, flavorful sauce paired with fresh pak choi is simply unbeatable. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll be adding it to your dinner rotation just like I did.
Print
Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Stir Fry
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A quick and flavorful Sweet Chilli Dumpling Stir Fry featuring crispy frozen dumplings, tender baby pak choi, and a sticky sweet chilli sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that combines crispy textures and bold flavors in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
For the Stir Fry
- 1 tbsp light oil
- 1 packet (12 pieces) frozen dinner dumplings
- 4 baby pak choi, halved down the middle
- 1 large spring onion, sliced, to serve
- Toasted sesame seeds, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook dumplings: Heat 1 tablespoon of light oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Arrange the frozen dumplings flat side down in the pan to crisp their bottoms without overcrowding.
- Prepare the sauce mix: While the dumplings start to crisp, whisk together 4 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 finely grated garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, and 2 tablespoons cold water. Set aside.
- Flip dumplings and add pak choi: Once the bottoms of the dumplings are golden brown and crisp, carefully flip them to crisp the other flat side. Arrange the halved baby pak choi cut-side down around the dumplings in the pan.
- Cook until crisp and tender: Continue cooking until dumplings are fully crisped and thawed through, and the pak choi has developed a slight color. Then reduce heat to medium.
- Add the stir fry sauce: Pour the prepared sweet chilli sauce mixture into the pan. Cook everything together, stirring gently, until the pak choi is just tender and the sauce thickens to a sticky, glossy consistency coating the dumplings and pak choi.
- Serve: Transfer the stir fry to warm bowls. Garnish with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- This recipe cooks dumplings straight from frozen, making it a super speedy 20-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Feel free to swap dinner dumplings for your favorite gyoza or potstickers.
- Adjust the amount of sweet chilli sauce to taste if you prefer it spicier or milder.
- Use a non-stick pan for best crisping results without sticking.
- Baby pak choi adds a lovely crunch and mild flavor but can be substituted with bok choy or other Asian greens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg