If you’re like me, you love dim sims. They’re one of my favorite snacks. But I don’t always want to deep-fry, which is how they’re traditionally cooked. That’s where the air fryer comes in.
Now, how to cook dim sims in an air fryer? It is easy and quick. You must pat dry, coat with cooking oil, arrange in the basket, and air fry for 15 minutes.
Today, I will show you how to cook them in the air fryer so you can enjoy this delicious snack without all the unhealthy oil. Let’s get started!
How to Cook Dim Sims in Air Fryer
The benefits of using an air fryer instead of deep frying
The benefits of using an Air Fryer instead of a conventional deep fryer include the following:
- Less oil – Oil or fats are not needed to cook using an air fryer.
- Less mess – Unlike deep frying, there is minimal splatter from the fat in an Air Fryer, so you won’t have that big of a clean-up job when cooking!
- Crispier bites with less oil – The lack of hot oils means that food cooked in an air fryer is less oily, which makes for a crispier taste.
- No more smell – Air fryers produce little to no cooking odors.
Easy Dim Sim Recipe with Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 750 g (1.7 lb) frozen dim sims
- 1 tsp oil
Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
- Add the dim sims into the air fryer basket.
- Pat them dry with a paper towel, then coat them sparingly with oil.
- Cook in the air fryer for 15 minutes. Rotate halfway through cooking.
- Serve with soy sauce.
What Is a Dim Sim?
Dim sims are dumpling-like snacks originating from China. The first batch was offered in Australia’s goldmines to miners to supplement their diet with protein.
The large version of the dish is known as a “South Melbourne dim sum” because it originated in South Melbourne Market. The dishes have become very popular in Australia as a snack and “sometimes are referred to as ‘Dimmie’s.”
A type of traditional Chinese fried-wrapped food originating from Australia, Dim Sim was made famous by William Chen Wing Young, the father of well-known Australian chef Liz Chong.
It is a culinary name with origins in Toisanese, the dialect that was most commonly spoken in central Melbourne.
It dates back to 1928, and the modern recipe was most likely first developed in Melbourne’s Chinatown by entrepreneur William Wing Young for his food processing company, Wing Lee.
Dim Sim Vs. Dim Sum
What is the difference between a dim sim and a dim sum?
- Dim Sim is a Chinese-influenced snack often shaped like Siu Mai and consists of meat and vegetable filling wrapped in pastry. They are usually fried.
- Dim Sum refers to a range of small, bite-sized portions often served at Yum Cha restaurants. Dim Sum items are usually steamed and can be served on a plate or in a bamboo steamer.
- Although they look similar, they have different ingredients and tastes. Dim sims are usually fried with fillings such as pork and cabbage, while Dim Sums are steamed with fillings such as vegetables, Chinese sausage, shrimp, etc.
Ingredients
What are dim sims made of?
It consists of minced meat, cabbage, and seasoning with a wrapper dissimilar to traditional shumai.
The shapes are typically rectangular or sometimes a larger circular shape. They can be served deep-fried or steamed and often dressed in soy sauce.
One alternative way to cook is to barbecue them by cutting the meal in half and placing them on a hot barbecue.
It can be served as a vegetarian-style dish with cabbage, carrot, vermicelli, and mushrooms as the filling.
What is South Melbourne Dim Sims made of?
Cheng’s recipe, famous for its size, has barely changed since 1949. They are made of cabbage, beef, pork, lamb, and spices encased in a thick wrapper to create these now-famous dumplings.
Dim Sim Original Recipe by Elizabeth Chong
Ingredients:
- One packet of wonton wrappers (yellow or white)
- 500g minced pork
- ½ cup shredded cabbage (lightly blanched and squeezed out)
- ½ cup celery (finely chopped)
- Three spring onion stalks (finely chopped)
- ½ cup water chestnuts (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Method:
- Begin by mixing all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper and shape it into a pot-like shape.
- Add more filling to your ‘petal’ until the top is filled.
- Steam over water for 20 minutes, and serve with soy sauce.
FAQs
What temperature do you fry Dim Sims?
To cook in an air fryer, thaw and fry for 5 minutes at 170°C or 8 minutes if frozen before steaming at 170°C. To make them in a deep fryer, follow the instructions for deep frying.
How long do you cook Dim Sims?
To steam, place them in a steamer containing boiling water and heat for 15 minutes or, if frozen, for 20 minutes.
Microwave in a microwave-safe container with one teaspoon of water per piece.
Can you bake dim sims?
They can be baked in an oven by preheating the oven to 200°C and placing them on an ungreased baking tray while still frozen with a minimum baking time of 10 minutes and up to 20 minutes.
Are dim sims healthy?
Dim sum dishes are often high in fat and sodium, contributing to the high risk of heart disease.
Can you steam dim sims in the microwave?
Place the frozen dim sum on the rack. Pour ½ cup boiling water over the top of dim sums—place lid with red vent open to seal tightly in the microwave for 10 minutes at full power.
See also: Vanilla Slice Recipe Donna Hay – The Perfect Dessert
