Creative Ways to Fold Dumplings That Anyone Can Do at Home

If you have ever wanted to fold dumplings that look like they came from a restaurant, this video is for you. In under five minutes, you will see several clever ways to shape dough and filling into dumplings that look amazing, and most of them need nothing more than your hands, a pair of kitchen scissors and a small cup.

The Scissors Trick

One of the most surprising tricks starts with a soft ball of dough. Instead of rolling it out, the cook snips around it with kitchen scissors to make petals, then opens it up and fills the center. When the petals are folded back in, you get a round dumpling with a pretty flower pattern on top.

Using a Cup to Shape the Filling

Another smart idea is pressing the filling into a small cup or ring first. The wrapper goes over the cup, the filling sits in the middle, and the edges are gathered up around it. It keeps the filling packed and helps every dumpling come out the same size.

Classic Pleats, Made Easier

The video also shows hand pleating, where the wrapper is pinched and folded all the way around the filling. Watch the fingers closely. The cook holds the dumpling in one hand and folds with the thumb and finger of the other hand, making small even pleats as they turn it.

Do not worry if your first few are not perfect. Everyone who learns to fold dumplings makes a few lumpy ones before it clicks.

Tips Before You Start

• Rest the dough for at least 20 minutes so it is soft and easy to stretch.
• Keep wrappers covered so they do not dry out and crack.
• Use about one heaping teaspoon of filling per dumpling.
• Wet the edges lightly with water if they will not stick.

Once they are folded, you can steam, boil or pan fry them like classic jiaozi. Which fold would you try first? For more fun kitchen ideas, check out our latest recipes and kitchen hacks.