Introduction

Remember those cozy nights curled up on the couch, dreaming of a meal that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying? For me, that often means dumplings! But sometimes, the thought of pan-frying can feel a little… well, involved. That’s why I’m so thrilled to share this recipe with you today. We’re talking about oven-baked dumplings with a dreamy peanut sauce, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. It’s ridiculously easy, surprisingly quick, and delivers all the comforting, flavorful goodness you crave without the fuss. Get ready to fall in love!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Dinner on the table in under 40 minutes!
Easy: Minimal prep, maximum flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Giftable: Whip up a batch and share the deliciousness with neighbors or friends.
Crowd-pleasing: Even picky eaters tend to adore this one.

Ingredients

Let’s gather our goodies! You might be surprised at how simple this all is.

14-20 frozen dumplings: Your favorite kind work perfectly here – pork, chicken, vegetable, you name it!
2 cups broccoli florets, trimmed into small pieces: Adds a lovely bit of green and healthy goodness. Make sure they’re bite-sized!
2 cups broth or water: This is the base for our amazing sauce. Chicken broth adds a little extra depth, but water works beautifully too.
⅔ cup creamy peanut butter: The star of the show! Use your go-to creamy peanut butter for the best texture.
3 garlic cloves, minced: Fresh garlic is key for that punchy flavor.
4 tablespoons soy sauce: For that savory, umami goodness.
2 teaspoons rice vinegar: Adds a little tang to balance everything out.
¼ cup sliced green onions: For a fresh, sharp finish.
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro: Adds a bright, herbaceous note that’s simply irresistible.
1 tablespoon sesame seeds: For a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
2-4 tablespoons chili crisp (optional): If you like a little heat, this is your secret weapon! It adds a wonderful texture and spice.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens. Put on your apron, maybe hum your favorite tune, and let’s do this together.

Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven humming at 400°F (200°C). It needs to be nice and hot for our dumplings to get perfectly golden.
Whip up that peanut sauce: Grab a small saucepan. Whisk together your broth or water, creamy peanut butter, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Place it over medium heat and stir, stir, stir until the peanut butter is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and luscious. Once it’s simmering gently, take it off the heat. Easy peasy!
Assemble your baking dish: Now, take your baking dish. Arrange the frozen dumplings in a single layer. No overcrowding allowed – we want them to get nice and crispy! Scatter those adorable broccoli florets all around the dumplings.
Sauce it up! Take about half of that glorious peanut sauce you just made and pour it evenly over the dumplings and broccoli. Make sure everything gets a good coating.
Cover and bake: This is the part where the oven does its work! Tightly cover your baking dish with foil. This helps the dumplings steam and cook through perfectly. Pop it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Uncover and get golden: After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Now, let those dumplings bake for another 5-10 minutes. You’re looking for them to be beautifully golden brown and cooked all the way through. This is where they get that irresistible crispy edge!
The grand finale: Once they’re perfectly baked, take them out of the oven. Drizzle that remaining peanut sauce all over the dumplings and broccoli. Oh, it smells amazing already!
Garnish and serve: Now for the finishing touches! Sprinkle generously with your sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and those lovely sesame seeds. If you’re a chili crisp fan like I am, now’s the time to add a drizzle for that extra kick. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your own culinary creativity! Don’t be afraid to play around.

Veggies: Feel free to swap the broccoli for snap peas, bell pepper strips, sliced carrots, or even some baby corn. Just make sure they’re cut to a size that will cook through in the oven.
Protein: If you’re not using meat-filled dumplings, you could add some cooked chicken or shrimp to the baking dish along with the dumplings and broccoli.
Sauce Spice: If chili crisp isn’t your jam, but you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while it’s simmering.
Nut-Free: For a nut-free option, you can try using tahini (sesame paste) instead of peanut butter for the sauce. It will have a slightly different flavor profile but is still delicious!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks up my sleeve to make sure your oven-baked dumplings are absolutely perfect every single time!

Don’t overcrowd the pan: This is key for achieving crispy dumplings. If your baking dish is too full, the dumplings will steam instead of bake to a beautiful golden hue. Use a larger dish or two smaller ones if needed.
Ensure your oven is fully preheated: A hot oven is crucial for getting that lovely crispiness.
Prep ahead: You can whisk together the peanut sauce ingredients (except for simmering) and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook, just heat it up gently on the stovetop.
Broccoli size matters: Cutting the broccoli into smaller, bite-sized florets ensures it cooks evenly alongside the dumplings.

How to Store It

Leftovers are a good thing, right? If, by some miracle, you have any of these delicious dumplings left:

In the Fridge: Let the dumplings cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To bring back that wonderful crispiness, I highly recommend reheating them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, until warmed through and slightly crisped up again. Microwaving can make them a bit soft, but they’ll still taste great!

FAQs

Got a question? I’ve got an answer!

Can I use fresh dumplings instead of frozen? Yes, you can! If using fresh dumplings, you might need to reduce the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overcook.
What if I don’t have rice vinegar? Apple cider vinegar or even white wine vinegar can be used in a pinch. The flavor might be slightly different, but it will still add that necessary tang.
Can I make the peanut sauce ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before using.

Easy Oven-Baked Dumplings with Creamy Peanut Sauce

A quick and easy weeknight meal featuring oven-baked dumplings with a creamy peanut sauce and broccoli, perfect for busy evenings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Saucepan for making the peanut sauce
Baking dish suitable for oven use
foil for covering the baking dish
Whisk for sauce

Ingredients

Dumplings and Vegetables

14 frozen dumplings Your favorite kind work perfectly here – pork, chicken, vegetable, you name it!
20 frozen dumplings Your favorite kind work perfectly here – pork, chicken, vegetable, you name it!
2 cups broccoli florets trimmed into small pieces, bite-sized

Creamy Peanut Sauce

2 cups broth or water Chicken broth adds a little extra depth, but water works beautifully too.
0.67 cup creamy peanut butter Use your go-to creamy peanut butter for the best texture.
3 garlic cloves minced, fresh garlic is key for that punchy flavor
4 tablespoons soy sauce For that savory, umami goodness.
2 teaspoons rice vinegar Adds a little tang to balance everything out.

Garnishes and Optional Additions

0.25 cup sliced green onions For a fresh, sharp finish.
0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro Adds a bright, herbaceous note that's simply irresistible.
1 tablespoon sesame seeds For a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
2 tablespoons chili crisp optional, If you like a little heat, this is your secret weapon! It adds a wonderful texture and spice.
4 tablespoons chili crisp optional, If you like a little heat, this is your secret weapon! It adds a wonderful texture and spice.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a small saucepan, whisk together broth/water, peanut butter, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until smooth and simmering. Remove from heat.
Arrange frozen dumplings in a single layer in a baking dish. Scatter broccoli florets around the dumplings. Do not overcrowd.
Pour half of the peanut sauce evenly over the dumplings and broccoli.
Tightly cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until dumplings are golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from oven. Drizzle the remaining peanut sauce over the dumplings and broccoli.
Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Add chili crisp if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dinner on the table in under 40 minutes! Minimal prep, maximum flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights. Can be made giftable or served to crowds. Subtitude veggies, protein, or sauce spice as desired. Nut-free option available with tahini. Ensure oven is fully preheated and do not overcrowd the pan for crispy results. Prep sauce ahead for convenience. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in an oven or toaster oven for best results.