Gluten-Free Rice Paper Dumplings: Sweet Potato & Shiitake

Name: Gluten Free Rice Paper Dumplings
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 3 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms; 1 large sweet potato (or 1.5 cups peeled and grated sweet potato); 1/2 cup snow peas (chopped or veggie of choice); 3 green onions (chopped); 1 knob ginger (fresh grated); 3 cloves garlic (fresh peeled and chopped finely); 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce (or sriracha or to your desired heat level); 2 tablespoons soy sauce (Coconut aminos, tamari or gluten free soy sauce to keep gluten free - to taste); 2 teaspoons sesame oil; salt and pepper (we used white pepper - to taste); 2 tablespoons oil (1 tablespoon to sauté the vegetable mixture and 1 tablespoon to pan fry or air fry the dumplings.); 24 sheets rice paper wrappers (Vietnamese - Bánh tráng (gluten-free) - ours were the 6.5 inch diameter size ); water (room temperature in a bowl to dip the rice paper wrappers); 1 clove garlic (peeled and minced); 1 green onion (chopped); 3 tablespoons soy sauce (Coconut aminos, tamari or gluten free soy sauce to keep gluten free - to taste); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon honey (or sweetener of choice like maple syrup or brown sugar to keep Vegan - adjust to your taste preference.); sesame seeds (white toasted); fresh chilis (chopped - optional )

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Bet you can’t stop at just one! These irresistible crispy rice paper dumplings are generously stuffed with a flavor packed mixture of sweet potato and shiitake mushrooms. Shaped into purse packets with softened Vietnamese rice paper wrappers and then pan-fried or air fried until crisp and golden.

Serve them up with our zippy homemade dipping sauce for the perfect gluten free and vegan appetizer. Unlike traditional Chinese dim sum, these tasty dumplings with rice paper are ready in a flash.

Gluten-free rice paper dumplings on a white plate with dipping sauce.

Good News! Did you know that dried gluten-free rice paper wrappers can last at least a year in the pantry? We love keeping a stash on hand to solve problems like what to serve as a halftime snack to last-minute appetizers, or an urgent midnight craving all with this one special ingredient. If you get the last minute munchies, you are just moments away from fresh veggie summer rolls, dumplings, or a Vietnamese crab pizza.

Here at Healthy World Cuisine, we are gearing up for the new year. Quick and easy Chinese New Year recipes, like these rice paper dumplings that can be assembled in advance, are a delightful addition to the festivities. Let’s get started!

Ingredients Rice Paper Dumplings

Ingredients to make gluten free and vegan rice paper dumplings laid out on a white table.

Vietnamese Spring Roll Rice Paper Wrapper Sheets - sometimes also called dried spring roll skin, rice paper wrapper or Bánh tráng (or bánh đa nem in Vietnamese). Please do not confuse these rice paper sheets with the wheat-based wrappers used to make savory air fryer spring rolls or sweet banana spring rolls. They are two distinct ingredients.

Most rice paper sheets are naturally gluten free, and plant based made with a combination of rice flour and tapioca flour. These sheets are firm and slightly translucent. If you are celiac, you also want to ensure that the wrappers were made in a gluten certified factory.

Our round non-GMO dried rice sheets were 6.5 inches in diameter and 20 calories per sheet by Star Anise Foods. However, rice papers can range from 6 inches to 14 inches with an average size of 8.5 inches. You can purchase rice paper sheets in the regular grocery stores (usually in the Asian isle), specialty shops, Asian markets and online on platforms like Amazon.

Sweet potatoes – Peeled and grated so they cook quickly. We used sweet potatoes with orange skin and flesh sweet potatoes, but any of the other over 100 varieties of sweet potatoes will work. Originally, we included sweet potato greens in this recipe which are delicious stir fried and in our Thai Pumpkin Curry.

Mushrooms – We chose dried shiitake mushrooms for their rich umami flavor and to keep this rice paper dumping recipe vegetarian. Soaked the dried mushrooms in hot water to soften, then drained, removed the stems and chop. Dried mushrooms offer a more robust flavor and aroma compared to fresh mushrooms. They are extra delicious in Chinese radish cakes and dumplings. Feel free to use either fresh or dried mushrooms. We are all about using whatever you have on hand.

Aromatics – green onions, ginger, and garlic

Gluten free soy sauce – You can use coconut aminos or tamari or regular soy sauce if gluten is not an issue.

Sesame oil – adds a nutty and delicious flavor to balance the overall taste.

Chili Garlic Sauce – for a pop of heat and spice. Alternatively, you can use Sriracha or even red pepper flakes or omit if you are not a spice lover.

Gluten free Dim sum sauce in a white and blue bowl.

Ingredients Dim Sum Sauce

The dipping sauce is optional, but it is so delicious. You are going to want to slather it on everything from homemade Chinese dumplings to beef bao and everything in between. Don't be daunted by the ingredient list; you'll notice many are repetitions from the filling recipe, making it a breeze to prepare. Here's what you'll need:

Gluten Free Soy Sauce or coconut aminos or tamari sauce
Garlic – but of course, right?
Sesame oil
Chili garlic oil
Honey or alternate sweetener of choice to keep vegan.
Rice vinegar or black vinegar if gluten is not an issue.
Sesame seeds
Green onions

Step By Steps

Make the Vegan Filling

Soaking shiitake mushrooms in hot water and frying up the sweet potato and mushroom dumpling filling.

Rehydrate the dried mushrooms in hot water until softened.
Grate sweet potatoes and prepare the aromatics.
Stir fry the sweet potatoes, mushrooms, aromatics with the sauces and spices.

Fold the Dumplings

Dipping the rice paper wrapper into water and laying it on a wooden cutting board.

Dip the rice paper wrappers in water to soften them.

Placing a spoonful of cooked sweet potato and shiitake mushroom filling on the dampened rice paper sheet.

Place a dollop of prepared filling onto the center of the softened rice paper.
Fold the edges of the rice paper over the filling towards the center.

Folding the rice paper dumpling in on the edges.

Roll over rice paper package until you end up with a square dumpling.

Mushroom and sweet potato Dumpling with rice paper shaped into a square purse.

Repeat the folding process with a second rice paper wrapper over the first for sturdiness.

Second Vietnamese rice paper sheet folded over dumpling.

Place prepared rice paper dumplings on a parchment lined tray.

Pan Fry or Air Fry

Pan Fry: Place a little oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook for approximately 4 minutes on each side until golden brown over medium heat, ensuring the edges are cooked.

Prepared vegan dumplings placed in a frying pan and turned over to show the golden crispy edges.

Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Brush the prepared gluten free rice paper dumplings with oil on both sides. Air fry dumplings for approximately 14 to 15 minutes turning halfway in between.

Chinese Dipping Sauce

The crispy dumplings are flavorful on their own but become extra delicious with a little zippy dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce (or gluten free alternative), sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, garlic chili sauce, honey, green onions, and toasted sesame seed and stir until combined.

Recipe Tips and Helpful Hints

Sweet Potato and Mushroom Filling:

Dynamic Filling Duo: The combination of naturally sweet potatoes and umami-flavored mushrooms guarantees a delightful filling. However, feel free to experiment with your choice of vegetables or protein. Avoid watery vegetables like tomatoes to maintain the dumplings' crispiness. You'll need approximately 3 to 4 cups of vegetables, mushrooms, or other proteins, depending on the wrapper's size.
Kitchen Cleanup Hack: Utilize leftover vegetables and bits from the refrigerator for a versatile filling. Note that harder vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes require more cooking time, so cook them halfway before adding softer ingredients.
Uniform Chopping: Ensure everything is chopped to the same size for even cooking and to prevent puncturing the delicate rice paper wrapper.

Rice Paper Sheets:

Water Temperature: Dip the rice paper sheets in room temperature water, avoiding soaking to prevent them from falling apart.
Prevent Sticking: Wet the surface before laying the rice paper sheet down to prevent sticking.
Pliability: The rice paper sheets become pliable within 20 to 30 seconds after a quick dip in water.
Folding Technique: Use two scoops of filling to create a square shape for less folding, resulting in crispier dumplings – instead of chewy.
Sturdiness Trick: Wrap the dumplings in two individual sheets of rice paper for added stability during cooking.
Line Tray: Place the wrapped dumplings on a parchment or waxed paper-lined dish or tray to avoid sticking.

A vegan dumpling cut in half to show the sweet potatoes and mushroom filling.

Cooking the Dumplings:

Choice of Oil: Choose a light-flavored oil to complement the delightful Asian flavors.
Avoid Overcrowding: Prevent dumplings made with rice paper from sticking together by avoiding overcrowding in the pan or air fryer.
Pan Frying Technique: Pan fry on medium heat with the folded side down first, as this side requires longer cooking.
Translucent to Opaque: During cooking, observe the rice paper wrapper transition from translucent to opaque, aiming for a light golden-brown color on all sides for the ultimate crispy dim sum treat.
Edges for Crispiness: Pan fry the side edges for the ultimate crispy rice paper dumpling. Check out our video below for a demonstration. Top of Form

Pan fried rice paper dumplings on a white plate with dipping sauce and chopsticks.

Make Ahead

Enjoy the convenience of preparing these gluten free rice paper dumplings in advance to impress your family and guests. Follow these simple steps for successful make-ahead preparation. This process will allow you to assemble the rice paper dumplings up to 24 hours ahead and fry them up when your guests arrive:

Prepare and Spritz: Spritz all sides of the assembled rice paper packets with a light coat of oil. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray, ensuring they are not touching to prevent sticking.

Wrap and Cover: Spritz the side of plastic wrap that will cover the dumplings with oil. Place a sheet of aluminum foil over the entire tray to help the plastic wrap adhere.

Refrigerate the prepared dumplings until you are ready to cook.

How to Store Cooked Dumplings and Reheat?

Pan fried or air fried rice paper dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator covered for up to 3 days. This also includes the dipping sauce. To reheat the sweet potato dumplings…

Pan fry – 1 to 2 minutes over medium low heat on both sides or until heated through.
Air Fry – at 350°F (170 °C) for approximately 2 minutes on each side or until heated through.
Microwave – for approximately 20 to 30 seconds or until heated through. This is our least favorite method as it does not retain its crispiness.

Air fried rice paper dumplings on a wooden plate ready to eat.

What to serve with Dumplings?

You can go wrong with serving gluten free rice paper dumplings with a dim sum sauce to start with and maybe even a rambutan cocktail. You may consider offering a few different Chinese dim sum dishes at your next gathering like steamed scallops with garlic vermicelli, eggplant with garlic sauce or even Chinese New Year Cake.

1 dumpling is just getting your taste buds awake. (smiling)
2 dumplings are an average starter but allow more for big eaters. (Say goodbye to the whole plater if you have hungry teenage boys!)
3 to 4 is a nice main dish with a side of vegetables like stir fried lotus root, garlic pea shoots or stir fried romaine lettuce.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How to Choose the Best Rice Paper Wrappers?

Ingredient Composition: Choose gluten free rice paper sheets with a combination of rice flour and tapioca flour in the ingredient list for enhanced durability.
Visual Inspection: Avoid wrappers that are broken, cracked, or do not lie flat, as these signs may indicate exposure to moisture.
Check Expiration Date: While checking the expiration date is wise, keep in mind that properly stored wrappers last a long time. For example, our wrappers have a shelf life of 2 years from the manufacturing date.

Why Are My Rice Paper Dumplings Chewy?

Rice paper dumplings can become chewy due to insufficient cooking or if the rice paper wrapping is too thick. Address this issue by:
Shaping as a Square: Form your dumplings as a square, not a roll, allowing the rice paper to fold over just once. Adjust the filling amount if needed for proper folding.
Pan Fry Seam Side Down: Begin pan frying with the seam side down, as this side requires more cooking time.
Cooking Side Edges: Ensure you cook the side edges of the rice paper dumpling for optimal crispiness.

How Do You Know When the Rice Paper Dumplings Are Done Cooking?

A perfectly cooked rice paper dumpling has these visual ques.
Color: Lightly golden and toasted on all sides, achieving a crispy texture.
Transparency: The translucent skin of the rice paper wrappers transitions from translucent to a bubbled-up white opaque color and finally to a golden-brown hue.

More Chinese Dim Sum Recipes

Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.

Comments

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

Rice Paper Dumplings

Ingredients Rice Paper Dumplings

Ingredients Dim Sum Sauce