A quick and easy way to steam frozen dumplings in an Instant Pot to get a perfectly cooked dinner in minutes. Plus, a quick dipping sauce to go with it!
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Frozen potstickers have become a staple in our house. Whether you like them the authentic way soft on the top and crispy on the bottom or soft throughout, this way of steaming potstickers is perfect.
I am going to tell you how to steam frozen dumplings in the Instant, how to crisp up the bottoms of the potstickers, and how to use a steamer basket in your Instant Pot to get the best results.
Since this recipe uses the high-pressure function on the Instant Pot, it will work on any electric pressure cooker.
These directions will work for any precooked frozen dumplings. That includes vegetable dumplings, pork potstickers, gyoza, and even the Ling Ling brand!
Like your dumplings and potstickers more crispy? Try cooking your frozen dumplings in an air fryer!
How to Make Instant Pot Frozen Potstickers
STEP ONE: Place one cup of water inside the Instant Pot. This allows the pressure cooker to come to pressure and steam the dumplings.
STEP TWO: Place your steamer basket inside the Instant Pot (read more on what you can use below) and then place the frozen potstickers in the Instant Pot all in one layer. The potstickers should not touch the water in any way.
STEP THREE: Close and seal the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, carefully quick release all the pressure, remove the lid, and enjoy!
How Do I Crisp Up the Bottoms of Frozen Dumplings in the Instant Pot?
Potstickers are often served with the bottom side crispy. To replicate this, you can cook the dumplings in one of two ways.
- Remove the cooked frozen potstickers from the Instant Pot and place it in a heated pan with oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium until the bottoms are golden brown.
- If using an Instant Pot, you will have access to the Saute feature. Before steaming the potstickers, place a tablespoon of oil on the bottom of the Instant Pot and saute the dumplings for about 1-2 minutes until the bottoms are browned.
How Do I Quick Release My Instant Pot?
This frozen dumpling recipe calls for pressure cooking and quick releasing your Instant Pot.
To quick release, simply flick the vent on the pressure cooker open so steam continuously comes out. All pressure has been released when the metal valve has dropped back down.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Potstickers
Tips for Quick Releasing Your Instant Pot
- Use a long oven mitt to open the vent. This will eliminate the chance of burning yourself from the steam.
- Point the steam away from the wall and any other object by slowly moving the entire Instant Pot before opening the steam vent.
- If the steam starts splattering in any way, quickly stop the venting process by flicking the vent back down. Wait about 10 seconds, then try again.
- Never place a towel or any other item on top of the steam valve. This obstructs the valve and can be a fire hazard among other things.
What Kind of Steamer Basket Can I Use in My Instant Pot?
Instant Pots are very versatile when it comes to choosing a steamer basket. You can use steel, silicone, or even bamboo – yes, that’s right! You can use a bamboo steamer basket in the Instant Pot!
For this recipe, I used a standard steel steamer basket, but silicone and bamboo work great if you have any issues with your steamer basket sticking.
Here are a few of my favorite steamer basket options to use:
OXO Stainless Steel Good Grips Steamer
Instant Pot Official Silicone Steamer Basket
Three Piece 8-Inch Bamboo Steamer
An Easy Dipping Sauce for Frozen Dumplings
Here is a quick 5-minute dipping sauce you can pull together while your frozen dumplings are cooking in your Instant Pot.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or molasses)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions:
- Mix the soy sauce, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a bowl until combined.
- Enjoy!
Here is another variation to a pot sticker dipping sauce that I love to pair with them!
More Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Air Fryer Potstickers
- Air Fryer Honey Soy Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Spring Rolls
- 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce
- Air Fryer Bok Choy
- Ninja Foodi Rice
- Air Fryer Tuna Steaks
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Crab Legs
- Instant Pot Fish Tacos
- Instant Pot Frozen Pork Loin
- Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup
Instant Pot Frozen Dumplings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen pot stickers about 12 pot stickers
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place one cup of water inside the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
- Put your steamer basket inside of Instant Pot and place frozen potstickers inside.
- Close the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes (manual).
- Quick release the Instant Pot and enjoy!
If you don’t have a steamer, but have an IP, can you cook these? I’m also wondering how you “steam” anything without a steamer. Do you need a steamer, or is this only a timed setting/cook style? I was hoping I could just steam any vegetable I wanted with the steam feature. Could I theoretically through in a few forked yams, add some water, and press the steam option without using a steamer?
Hi Alex, that’s a great question! You can steam any vegetable that will sit on the wire rack that came with the Instant Pot, but I find with a lot of vegetables is that they will either slide off the rack and fall in the water or in the case of the dumplings, could seep into the rack and get stuck. As for whole sweet potatoes/yams, yes you can make those with just the wire rack so they sit above the water!
Hi, do you have a video or pictures on how you use and set up the bamboo steamer on the instant pot?
Hi Shana, I unfortunately don’t have any pictures of using the bamboo steamer, but it would need to be small enough to fit inside the pot of the Instant Pot. You would place the dumplings in the bamboo steamer then put the top on and place inside the Instant Pot then place the normal lid on top. I hope this helps!
Have you tried this with frozen pierogies?
I have, BUT I prefer to parboil the pierogies before air frying them as they get a little tough when only air fried. Here is the recipe: https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-pierogies-onions/
Can you put parchment paper on the trivet and then the pot stickers?
No, I don’t recommend using parchment paper on the trivet.
Great stuff! Worked great in my instant pot
I tried this recipe but the pot stickers were still cold after I pressure cooked them. Then when I tried to saute them they all stuck and fell apart in the pot. 🙁 I was really looking forward to having them for dinner. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong as I am still very new to my pot.
Hi Josi-Lyn, make sure you let the frozen pot stickers come to complete pressure (which takes about 10 minutes) then let them cook for 3 minutes before quick releasing them. Mine are always piping hot afterward. If they are larger pot stickers and they’re still cold, close the lid and let them come to pressure again (it will take less time usually the second time).
I used to encounter the same thing. These pots can vary a bit. It appeared to be coming up to pressure, the button would pop up and everything. But at the end of the cycle very little cooking had occurred. I’ve figured out my issue, for some reason, my 6 qt. pot likes 12, not 8 ounces of water.
I recommend doing the water test that Instant Pot includes as set-up directions to ensure everything is working correctly if this is happening, but in this case, adding more water will work since the dumplings will not touch the water.