Vegan Chinese Tofu Dumplings (2024)

💚Why you will love this recipe

• Incredibly tasty, comforting, and are meat-eaters approved
• Healthy and packed with veggies and plant protein
• Relatively simple and easy to make
• Freeze well - the perfect meal prep recipe!

🥟What you will need

📃Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Dumpling wrappers - I am using store-bought ones as it is much more convenient.
  • You can get them in most well-stocked groceries or your local Asian market. Alternatively, get dumpling wrappers online through Amazon.
  • You can also choose to make your dumpling wrappers at home.
• Tofu - use extra-firm or firm tofu that has been drained and pressed beforehand, either using a tofu press or by stacking something heavy on top.
• Soy sauce - can be substituted with tamari or shoyu. Use gluten-free ones if needed.
• Sugar - Any kind of sweeteners can be used, like cane sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.

🔪How to make

Here is a quick rundown on the steps involved in making tofu dumplings:

1. Stir-fry the tofu vegetable filling
2. Wrapping the dumplings
3. Cooking them using the pan-steamed method
4. Making the dipping sauce

Now, let us go into more detail!

Making the filling

Start by crumbling your tofu into small pieces, using a fork or your hands. Set aside.

Combine all seasonings needed to make the stir-fry sauce.

Heat some oil in a large non-stick pan. Once heated, add garlic and ginger. Fry for a minute until fragrant.

Next, add cabbage, carrot, mushrooms, and a sprinkle of salt. Fry until the veggies are wilted, and the mixture is dry.

Add crumbled tofu along with the stir-fry sauce. Cook until tofu is hot. Remove from heat and stir in the green onion.

Give it a taste, adding more salt if needed. Let the filling cool down slightly before moving on to wrapping the tofu dumplings.

Wrapping the dumplings

The easiest way is to fold dumplings into a half-moon shape. Simply place a tablespoon of filling in the middle and fold the wrapper over the filling to meet the other edge. Seal it by pinching the edges.

Lightly squish the dumplings to flatten the base. That’s it!

The other common way to seal dumplings is to pleat them.

To do so, start by placing a wrapper in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Place a tablespoon of filling at the center.

Dip your finger in water, and wet the bottom half rim of the wrapper, which is the side you will pleat.

Using your dominant hand, fold the bottom half of the wrapper over the filling to meet the top half. Pinch to seal at one end, and start to form a pleat. Once the pleat is formed, pinch it to seal.

Repeat pleating until you get to the other end, and pinch to seal the dumpling completely.

With the dumplings standing, lightly squish them to flatten the base.

Cooking dumplings (pan-steamed method)

Heat some oil in a non-stick pan. Place in some of the dumplings, making sure they are not touching.

Pan-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the base is golden brown.

Pour in ¼ cup of water, and quickly place the lid on to trap the steam. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until most of the water evaporates, and the dumplings are semi-translucent.

Remove the lid and let the dumplings cook for another 30 seconds to crisp up the base. Serve these Chinese tofu dumplings immediately.

Making the dipping sauce

Simply combine all ingredients needed. Give it a taste, adding more of any seasonings if needed.

🎥Watch how to make them

✔️Helpful tips

• You can chop your veggies in a food processor to make prepping easier.
• When wrapping the dumplings, cover unused wrappers with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.
• Don’t get too hung up with the shape of the dumplings; they will still be delicious! Make sure they are tightly sealed so the filling stays intact while cooking. As mentioned above, you can opt for the half-moon shape if you are unsure how to pleat them properly.
• Be careful not to overstuff dumplings. They might not seal properly and break while cooking.
• When cooking the tofu dumplings, ensure they are not touching one another to prevent them from sticking together.

🍴Other ways to cook dumplings

Other than the classic pan-steamed method, here are some other delicious ways to cook up your vegan Chinese dumplings:

Air fryer - Place dumplings into the air fryer basket, and spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 6-8 minutes at 180C/350F or until golden brown.

Baking - Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, and arrange dumplings onto it. Coat dumplings with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until dumplings are lightly browned.

Steaming - You can steam tofu dumplings in a bamboo or a regular steamer. Before cooking, line the steamer with a non-stick liner. Steam for 8-10 minutes or until the dumplings are semi-translucent.

Boiling - Bring a pot of water to a boil, and gently slip in dumplings. You might need to use a spoon to push them around to prevent them from touching one another. Cover with a lid.

When the water starts to boil again, pour in ½ cup water, then cover. Repeat this step 2-3 times or until the dumplings float to the surface. Once cooked, remove them using a slotted spoon.

❄️Storing suggestions

Here is how to freeze uncooked tofu dumplings:

1. Grease a baking sheet or other large plates with some cooking spray.
2. Arrange dumplings on the baking sheet in one layer, ensuring they are not touching one another.
3. Place them into the freezer for an hour or until the dumplings are frozen.
4. Gently remove them from the baking sheet, and transfer them to a zip-top bag or storage container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

When ready to enjoy, simply reheat them from frozen, and increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. You DO NOT need to thaw them beforehand.

❔Commonly asked questions

🍽️More vegan side dishes

If you did make this recipe, do leave a rating and comment down below, we love hearing from you! Subscribe to My Plantiful Cooking to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get the latest updates. 😉

Vegan Chinese Tofu Dumplings

Meesha

These vegan tofu dumplings are flavorful, delicious, and filled with a great tofu and vegetable filling. They are relatively easy to prepare and only call for simple ingredients. Paired with a flavorful soy dipping sauce, these vegan Chinese dumplings are a crowd-pleaser!

Nutrition

Calories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.