Gyoza Dipping Sauce
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 24, 2025 
Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe – This tangy, sweet, and savory sauce is perfect to pair with your choice of meat or vegetable potstickers. Plus, learn the easy steps to air fry frozen dumplings!
Why We Love This Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe
Gyoza – AKA potstickers or dumplings – is a beloved Chinese dish that is classic to enjoy before or alongside a hearty meal. While we absolutely love the gyoza themselves, dipping those tender pieces of wrapped minced meat and/or veggies in a sweet and tangy dumpling sauce is what really makes the entire dish irresistible!
Although it tastes bold and complex, this gyoza dipping sauce recipe is a simple no-cook condiment used for dunking Asian dumplings of all varieties. Today we are sharing a classic dumpling sauce recipe with additional add-ins to customize it with spicy heat or extra flavor.
However you make it, this easy sauce recipe goes well with any dumplings you like… We have a lovely traditional Chinese dumpling, a.k.a. potsticker recipe, here on the site. You can make your choice of chopped meat (typically ground pork and/or ground chicken) or vegetable dumplings from scratch. Or you can buy premade dumplings from the freezer section of your local grocery store.
If you are buying premade freezer dumplings, we’ve also provided instructions for preparing them in the air fryer in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients For Traditional Gyoza Sauce Recipe
- Low sodium soy sauce – or sub tamari or coconut aminos
- Rice wine vinegar – for the smooth tangy taste
- Sesame oil – or other light nutty-tasting oil
- Honey – or agave
- Garlic paste – for the most delicious concentrated flavor, but can be subbed with minced garlic
Optional Add-ins –
- Chili garlic paste – for a spicy kick (or crushed red pepper flakes or chili oil)
- Ginger paste – adds a delightful punch of spice, but without heat
- Sesame seeds – for a nice texture and light nutty flavor
- Green onion – thinly sliced for a pop of freshness
Cook’s Notes: If you can’t find rice vinegar, use a smaller amount of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. For heat, chili garlic sauce offers the best flavor, but sriracha and chili flakes or oil are also good options.
How to Make Easy Gyoza Dipping Sauce
- Set out a small mixing bowl. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Add honey and garlic paste.
- If using additional add-ins, add them at this time.
- Whisk well. Cover the dipping sauce and allow it to rest at room temperature while you prepare the dumplings.
How to Air Fry Dumplings
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Once hot, open the air fryer basket and spray the inside with cooking spray. Lay the frozen dumplings in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Then spray the tops with oil spray.
- Air fry the dumplings for 7 minutes. Then shake the basket to flip the dumplings and continue to air fry for another 4-6 minutes until crispy and golden on the outside.
- Serve the pan or air-fried dumplings warm, with the homemade gyoza sauce on the side for dipping.
Get the Complete (Printable) Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe and VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Citrusy – Swap rice vinegar for fresh lemon or yuzu juice for a bright, citrusy twist. Add a teaspoon of mirin and a dash of dashi for extra umami.
- Spicy Miso – Stir in white or red miso paste for a deep, savory flavor. Add chili oil or Sriracha for a bit of heat.
- Sweet & Tangy Thai – Replace honey with palm sugar for a more caramelized sweetness. Add lime juice and fish sauce for a Thai-inspired dipping sauce.
- Korean-Style – Mix in gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a rich, spicy kick. Add sesame seeds and grated pear for a hint of natural sweetness.
- Garlic Butter – Melt butter and whisk it into the sauce for a richer, silkier texture. Increase the garlic for a bold, garlicky punch, and add Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions
I mean, what doesn’t pair well with plump and savory fried dumplings and a sweet dipping sauce??
But really, it feels like there is no limit to what you can pair with dumplings… Serve them as an appetizer or side dish alongside other classic Chinese-inspired dishes like chicken with garlic sauce, dan dan noodles, Kung Pao chicken or Kung Pao beef, orange chicken, sesame chicken, or your other favorite mains.
For other sides, you might consider also enjoying air fryer potstickers with veggie-forward dishes like lo mein with vegetables, egg drop soup, easy hibachi fried rice, and/or our copycat recipe for Panda Express super greens.
Or simply enjoy a plate of gyoza with homemade sauce for a hearty snack!
Frequently Asked Questions
Swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos for a delicious soy-free dumpling dipping sauce recipe.
No, this potsticker sauce is not spicy! You can certainly make it spicy by adding some chili garlic paste or even a squeeze of sriracha!
Frozen dumplings take about 11-13 minutes to air fry. Freshly made gyoza only needs about 7-9 minutes.
Store gyoza dipping sauce in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Looking for More Easy Air Fryer Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Easy Air Fryer Carrots
- Best Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Air Fryer Biscuits (from Scratch and Canned)
- Air Fryer Mushrooms (Breaded)
- Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (or Frozen)
Get the Complete (Printable) Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe and VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe (+ How to Cook Dumplings)
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 cloves minced garlic
Optional Add-Ins –
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
For the Gyoza –
- 1 package your favorite fresh or frozen dumplings
Instructions
- Set out a small mixing bowl. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and garlic paste. If using additional add-ins, add them at this time. Whisk well.
- Cover the dipping sauce and allow it to rest at room temperature while you prepare the dumplings.
Pan Fry Dumplings –
- For traditional pan-fried or steamed cooking methods click here.
Air Fry Gyoza –
- For Air Fryer Dumplings, preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Once hot, open the air fryer basket and spray the inside with cooking spray.
- Lay the frozen dumplings in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer. Then spray the tops with oil spray.
- Air fry the dumplings for 7 minutes. Then shake the basket to flip the dumplings and continue to air fry for another 4-6 minutes until crispy and golden on the outside.
I love this sauce, and appreciate the recipe, wouldn’t have know how to make it otherwise, and same with the dumplings, thank you!
This is so informative. Loved how the sauce came out. A new family favorite!
This is so savory, tangy, and definitely my new go-to gyoza dipping sauce! I also used this on a fried siumai and it was also a perfect combo!
This has become a life saver and I cannot thank you enough for sharing this amazing sauce recipe! (Plus the tips on how to fry dumplings!)
This sauce has all the ingredients I love! It is so tasty & is the perfect pair to the dumplings!! Love that these are made in the air fryer!! Crispy & delicious!!