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The Best vegan Dumpling wrapper bun with juicy filling

May 22, 2021 by woonheng 23 Comments

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This dumpling wrapper bun is filled with juicy zucchini and pan-fried until golden brown. They are SOO easy to make and delicious to eat. Check out how to get the wrapper this thin with a simple hack below.

What is your favorite squash? Mine has to be zucchini! My husband’s colleague used to grow large zucchini and we were always blessed with some every summer.

Zucchini has high water content and a mild taste. This makes it a great addition to sweet or savory food. I love them in my Tom Yum Zoodles soup as well.

Since there are more zucchinis at the store, I decided to get them and used it as a filling for these dumplings. But instead of making the dough from scratch, I used a store-bought dumpling wrapper and roll it out thinner similar to my easy and crispy rice dumpling recipe.

There are many ways to serve the dumplings such as boiled, fried, steamed, pan-fried, or pan-fried then steamed (potstickers style). The last one is my favorite way because you’ll get a crisp bottom and a soft dumpling at the same time.

How to make Dumpling Wrapper bun

Part 1: Prepare the filling ingredients

First rehydrate the wood ear mushrooms by soaking them in cold water until soft, about 30-45 minutes. When ready, sliced them thinly.

Then, using a grater with smaller shredding holes, shred zucchini over a large mixing bowl. This is a similar method to my pan-fried steamed buns (Sheng Jian Bao). Then add salt and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, covered.

Next, sauté the carrot and wood ear mushrooms in a heated non-stick pan with a splash of oil for about 1 minute. Season with a pinch of salt.

After 20-30 minutes, place softened zucchini in a nut milk bag over a mixing bowl. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Then, transfer to a bowl.

Using the same nut milk bag, add the firm tofu and squeeze out the liquid. Transfer to the same bowl with zucchini.

Add the cooked vegetables and season. Divide it into 15 portions.

dumpling-wrapper-bun

Part 2: Assemble

To assemble, place about 3-4 dumpling wrappers on a work surface. Dust the rolling pin with cornstarch and roll out the wrapper into 5-inch diameter circles.

Peel each one off and set them aside, covered. Take one dumpling wrapper and place it on your palm or in a bowl. Top with a portion of filling and pleat to seal.

  • Method One
  • Method Two

Continue until you’ve finished with the filling, which yields about 15-20 dumplings.

dumpling-wrapper-bun

Part 3: Pan-fry dumpling wrapper bun

To cook the dumpling, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. I used a 10-inch pan or use a large one that can fit all of them in one sitting. Arrange the dumplings in one layer. Since the dumpling wrapper has no yeast, it will not expand too much, so they can be placed close to each other.

dumpling-wrapper-bun

Pan-fry until the bottom is slightly golden. Then, add in warm or hot water, enough to cover about 0.5 – 1cm of the dumplings.

Cover the pan with a lid and cook the dumplings until the water has evaporated. Maintain the heat to get the sizzle during cooking. The dumplings are ready when they turn translucent.

dumpling-wrapper-bun

Turn off the heat and serve the dumplings hot with my homemade 10-minute garlic chile sauce.

Dumpling Wrapper Bun FAQ

1. It’s hard to roll out the dumpling wrapper – Be sure to thaw the wrapper to room temperature before rolling. If not, the wrapper will break easily. Dusting the work surface with cornstarch will ease the rolling as well.

2. My dumpling starts to break apart during cooking – The filling needs to be moist but not watery or too wet. If it is, it will soften the wrapper too much and they can tear apart easily. So be sure to squeeze out all the water from the zucchini and tofu prior.

3. My wok still has a pool of water after 5 minutes of cooking – If you have a tight lid cover, this may happen. In that case, uncover the lid and let the water evaporate. Or tilt the lid to allow the steam to escape in the future.

4. How to check if the dumpling is ready:

  • The wrapper turns to matte white. It can sometimes turn slightly translucent depending on how thin you roll the wrapper to. The filling should be clearly visible once cooked.
  • No soft doughy texture
  • The water has evaporated (this is true if you are using a lid with a steam pout)

Other delicious dumpling recipes

  • Pan-fried Steam buns (filled with zucchini)
  • Lacy Potstickers with homemade wrapper
  • Daikon Radish bun (Luo Bo Si Bing)
  • No yeast buns (filled with green beans and tofu)

Why You Need this Dumpling Wrapper Bun

  • Vegan
  • Super Easy
  • Best way to add more greens to your meal
  • Easily customizable
  • Perfect as a snack or side dish
  • Has a soft outer layer, crisp bottom, and juicy filling
  • TASTY!!

If you try this recipe, I would love to hear your feedback and see your beautiful re-creation. Leave me a comment, rate it, and tag @woon.heng and #woonheng to your photos on Instagram or Facebook. Happy cooking, friends!

Dumpling Wrapper Bun with juicy filling

woonheng
Turn your zucchini into a filling and wrap in a dumpling for the most delicious and scrumptious meal. This pan-fried zucchini dumpling recipe is easy and uses store-bought dumpling wrappers that were rolled out thinner to create a soft outer layer with a juicy filling inside.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 2

Ingredients
 
 

  • 15-20 dumpling wrapper used store-bought
  • 1½ lb zucchini
  • ½ lb firm tofu
  • 1 small carrot shredded
  • 2-3 medium-sized wood ear mushrooms rehydrated and sliced
  • salt
  • neutral oil
  • water used ~1cup for 15 dumplings
  • garlic chile sauce

Seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • a dash of ground white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon mushrooms seasoning
  • ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions
 

Prepare the zucchini and filling

  • Using a grater with smaller shredding holes, shred zucchini over a large mixing bowl.
  • Add 1 ¼ teaspoon of salt and massage the zucchini until well-combined. Cover with a lid and set it aside for 20-30 minutes. This step is to draw out the zucchini moisture.
  • Meanwhile, heat a small non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and add a teaspoon of oil.
  • Sauté carrot for a minute. Add the wood ear mushrooms and continue to sauté for another minute or so. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and set it aside.
  • Now, place a nut milk bag over a bowl. Transfer the softened zucchini into the bag. Squeeze out all the liquid. Place them in a clean bowl. Continue until zucchini is used.
  • Using the same bag, add the tofu and squeeze out as much moisture as you can (check the video). Transfer them to the bowl with zucchini.
  • Next, add the carrot and wood ear mushrooms along with the seasoning.
  • Mix with a spoon or a pair of chopsticks until well combined. Tofu and zucchini may clump up from the squeezing, be sure to loosen them so they can absorb the flavors better. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Assemble the dumplings

  • To make the dumplings, place 3-4 wrappers on a work surface.
  • Dust a rolling pin with some cornstarch and roll out the stack to a 5-inch diameter circular. Peel the wrapper and work with one at a time. Keep the rest in a bowl covered with a damp paper towel.
  • Brush the edge with water and place a heaping spoonful of filling in the middle, then pleat to seal (check the video). Alternatively, place the rolled wrapper in a small bowl, add the filling in the middle, and bring all the edges together and give it a good pinch in the middle to seal.

Cook the dumplings

  • To cook the dumplings, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a splash of oil.
  • Arrange as many dumplings as you can in one layer, slightly apart. Pan-fry the dumplings until the bottom turns golden brown.
  • Add enough water to cover 0.5cm of dumplings. Cover with a lid and cook until the water has evaporated and the dumpling has fully cooked through. Please check the FAQ section for other tips.
  • Serve the dumplings warm with a side of garlic chile sauce and garnish with chopped onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe makes 15-20 dumplings
  • The amount of water added to cook the dumplings depend on how large your dumpling is. I often add until it touches some part of the dumplings. A clear lid is always helpful. If you don’t have one, be sure to peek to make sure you’ll have enough water during cooking.
  • Serve these with the 10-minute garlic chile sauce or any other chile sauce. It goes well with chopped ginger and Chinese black vinegar as well. 
Keyword Chinesefood, dumplings
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Filed Under: Dumplings, Savory Tagged With: asianfood, dumpling, vegan dumplings, veganbun

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cedar

    February 5, 2023 at 8:50 pm

    Is there a way to make the wrapper with rice flour? I am allergic to gluten but i miss dumplings!

    Reply
  2. Claire S

    September 13, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    First time making any sort of dumplings ever. They turned out wonderfully! I used Nasoya brand of frozen wonton wrappers (vegan, from Whole Foods in Miami). I made exactly as recipe says except that I used 4 fresh diced shiitake mushrooms instead of rehydrated mushrooms, and added 1 diced shallot which I sautéed with the mushrooms and grated carrot. Made the first 12 as a trial, ate them with my husband. He said he preferred the dough slightly thicker so for the next 12 I skipped the rolling them out with the rolling pin step and just put in a little less filling and rolled them up. Skipping that step will make the whole thing easy enough to make as a relatively quick weeknight meal in the future. My wrapping skills leave a lot to be desired, but it was a first time. They were delicious. I love the suggestions to add a bit of ginger. Ate them with Trader Joe’s gyoza dipping sauce. Long time instagram follower finally making one of Woon Heng’s recipes for the first time and I am hooked!! Can’t wait to make more!

    Reply
  3. Dee

    September 6, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Is there a recipe for the wrappers please? Looked high and lo, but can’t seem to find that information.
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. nicoletta

    August 28, 2021 at 7:46 am

    Hello from Italy!!
    congratulations for your recipes !!
    where can i find the recipe to prepare the basic dough for these dumplings?

    Reply
  5. K

    August 22, 2021 at 6:18 am

    Hey,
    What could I add instead of tofu?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • WoonHeng Chia

      August 30, 2021 at 11:01 am

      Hello K, you can try edamame beans. Tofu is a great binder so my filling stays intact when I wrap them.

      Reply
  6. Kelli

    August 10, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    Hi! I haven’t tried the recipe yet but WOW- I can’t wait to!!! I am curious if you could tell me what brand your non stick skillet is? I’m in the market for one 😃. I also need to buy a nut milk bag.

    Reply
    • WoonHeng Chia

      August 16, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      Greatly appreciate it, Kelli. I used Ozeri that I got from amazon. Thanks a lot. Best, WoonHeng

      Reply
  7. Andra

    August 6, 2021 at 9:54 am

    5 stars
    OMG 🥰 I’M in LOVE with this recipe! I never thought I would be able to make Dumplings and that they will taste sooo soo good ! Thank you so much for sharing all this recipes ! I must say i made the wrappers dough by myself and they turned out really good. ❤️ IN LOVE ❤️

    Reply
  8. Terry

    July 15, 2021 at 4:43 am

    This looks like an interesting recipe to try. Do you think it’s alright for me to make a large batch and freeze some of them for future easy heat and eat?

    Reply
    • WoonHeng Chia

      July 16, 2021 at 9:53 am

      Hey Terry, yes, you can and I would freeze them right away after you wrap them so the juice won’t seep through and break the skin. Let me know if you need anything else.

      Reply
      • Elin

        August 6, 2021 at 9:11 am

        5 stars
        It’s delicious and easy to make. I made everything from scratch, I mean the wrappers. Wish it was rolled out thinner. Thanks for the recipe. Love it and will make again.

        Reply
  9. Kathy

    July 10, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    Do you have a recommended brand or type of wrapper? There are so many out there! Thanks.

    Reply
    • woonheng

      July 11, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Kathy, great question. I have tried with different brands and they work great except gyoza because that is already quite thin to start with. That means you won’t be able to roll it out thinner easily. Thanks, WoonHeng

      Reply
  10. Ginger

    July 6, 2021 at 8:24 am

    These look delicious! Your blog post popped up in my Google News Feed. I’d love to try these, but I’m gluten-free. Do the wrappers come in a gluten-free variety? If so, where would be the best place to find them, a local Asian grocery store or online? Thank you for your help!

    Reply
    • woonheng

      July 7, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      Hello Ginger, thanks so much! There are some gluten-free wrappers at the store that’s made from coconut flour but I’ve used them before, so I can’t comment on that. Good luck and let me know if you need anything else. Best, WoonHeng

      Reply
    • Kate

      July 7, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      Just made these for dinner along with your Ginger Garlic Chili Sauce. Amazing!!! My husband and I loved them.

      Reply
  11. Michelle

    July 3, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING!

    Reply
    • woonheng

      July 5, 2021 at 9:12 am

      Thank you so much, Michelle 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jocelyn

    June 3, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! I added some grated ginger for an extra zing. These are a bit labor intensive but super tasty!!! I need to keep practicing my wrapping skills 😉

    Reply
    • woonheng

      June 3, 2021 at 9:32 pm

      That sounds too good! Ginger, yes, yum yum. I’m sure yours look super amazing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Best, WoonHeng

      Reply

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My name is WoonHeng and I share Asian plant-based deliciousness that you can make in your kitchen. My goal is to inspire you to try a meatless dish, one meal at a time. Let's get cooking with these recipes!

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