Peanut Butter Soy Sauce Dumpling Bake with Spinach and Chili Oil Recipe
Introduction
This Dumpling Bake is a delicious and easy meal that combines the comforting flavors of peanut butter, soy sauce, and chili oil with crispy baked dumplings. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without much fuss.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter, chunky or smooth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more for serving
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon chili oil or the oil from a jar of chili crisp, plus more for serving
- 1 cup packed baby spinach or arugula
- 14 to 16 frozen dumplings
- Thinly sliced scallion for serving, optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a resealable jar, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, and chili oil. Shake vigorously until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Step 2: Pour the sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle the baby spinach evenly over the sauce.
- Step 3: Arrange the frozen dumplings on top of the spinach, leaving some space between each dumpling to ensure even cooking.
- Step 4: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the dumplings are hot throughout and crispy on top, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 6: Take the dish out of the oven and stir the sauce gently to coat the dumplings. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of hot water to loosen it. If it’s too thin, bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Garnish with more chili oil or chili crisp and chopped scallions if desired. Serve immediately with extra soy sauce on the side.
Tips & Variations
- Use firm baby spinach or arugula to prevent wilting too much during baking.
- Try swapping peanut butter for almond butter for a different nutty flavor.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice before serving for extra brightness.
- For a vegetarian version, confirm the dumplings do not contain meat or substitute with vegetable dumplings.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until the dumplings are hot throughout. Avoid reheating in the oven to prevent drying out the dumplings.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh dumplings instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh dumplings will work but may require a shorter baking time. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
What type of chili oil is best for this recipe?
Use a good-quality chili oil or the oil from a jar of chili crisp for the best balance of heat and flavor. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
PrintPeanut Butter Soy Sauce Dumpling Bake with Spinach and Chili Oil Recipe
This Dumpling Bake is a quick and flavorful dish combining crispy baked dumplings with a rich peanut-soy chili sauce and fresh baby greens. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it features a creamy, spicy sauce that beautifully complements the crispy texture of the dumplings, garnished with scallions and extra chili oil for a punch of heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter, chunky or smooth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more for serving
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon chili oil or the oil from a jar of chili crisp, plus more for serving
Other
- 1 cup packed baby spinach or arugula
- 14 to 16 frozen dumplings
- Thinly sliced scallion for serving, optional
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, and chili oil in a resealable jar and shake vigorously until the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish, then scatter the packed baby spinach evenly over the sauce. Arrange the frozen dumplings on top, spacing them to allow even cooking. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the dumplings are thoroughly heated and have a crispy top, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Final touches and serve: Remove from the oven and stir the sauce to coat the dumplings evenly. If the sauce appears too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of hot water to loosen it; if it’s too thin, return the dish to the oven for 3 to 5 more minutes until desired thickness is achieved. Garnish with extra chili oil and thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately.
- Storage: This dish is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, ensure your dumplings are vegetable-based and soy sauce is vegetarian-friendly.
- Adjust chili oil quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh dumplings may require adjustments to baking time.
- Adding extra soy sauce upon serving will enhance saltiness if desired.
Keywords: dumpling bake, baked dumplings, peanut sauce, chili oil, easy dinner, vegetarian Asian recipe, peanut butter sauce
