The 5-Ingredient Dumpling Bake I Can't Stop Making

Frozen dumplings are probably one of my favorite store-bought shortcuts, so I always keep them in the freezer to make quick soups, salads or stir-fries. When I was introduced to this viral TikTok dumpling bake, I knew I had to try it and see if it had what it takes to join my go-to list of easy frozen dumpling dinners.

Making the Easy Dumpling Bake Even Easier

As with many viral recipes, it’s hard to know who posted the original version of the dumpling bake, but most recipes I’ve seen use canned coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, grated ginger and garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and fish sauce or rice vinegar as the base for the sauce.

Some add vegetables like bok choy or spinach before topping with the frozen dumplings and baking either covered for tender dumplings or uncovered for a bit of crunch.

The result is a big batch of dumplings in a rich, spoonable sauce that tastes great with steamed rice, takes no time to put together, and requires just about zero chopping or prep; it’s not hard to see why the recipe went so viral.

To put my own spin on it, I made this recipe even simpler and more accessible with just five ingredients (plus an optional garnish). Instead of curry paste, the sauce is based on something almost everyone has in their pantry: peanut butter. When mixed with water, soy sauce, and chili oil, it makes a spicy, savory, and nutty sauce for the dumplings, with less than half the ingredients of the original.

A Note on the Dumplings

For this recipe to work, use dumplings that are already cooked. I made the mistake of trying this with raw frozen dumplings my first time—the wrappers didn’t cook properly and had an unpleasant gummy texture—and I want to save you the trouble.

While most frozen dumplings you’ll find in the grocery store are already cooked, double-check the packaging before you buy any for this recipe. Use your favorite frozen dumplings with chicken, pork, vegetables, or shrimp.

Variations and Additions

This recipe is already a variation of the original, but there are plenty more ways you can play around with it to make it suit your tastes and your pantry. Here are some of my favorite ideas to vary the recipe or add to it:

• Peanut butter swaps: Swap the peanut butter with tahini or Chinese sesame paste for a different flavor but the same nutty finish.
• Sweet and spicy: Follow the original recipe but use half gochujang and half peanut butter instead of Thai red curry paste for a sweet and spicy coconut sauce.
• More flavor: Add a few teaspoons of grated garlic and ginger to the sauce base.
• Other spicy additions: Use Sriracha instead of chili crisp.
• Veggie options: Use chopped bok choy for a crunchier green.
• Herb garnish: Finish with a handful of chopped cilantro or Thai basil.

Viral Recipes That Will Stand The Test of Time

• Turkish Pasta
• TikTok Chicken Cobbler
• Sheet Pan Lasagna
• Green Goddess Pasta Salad
• 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse