Description
This Dumpling Bake is an easy and delicious oven-baked dish featuring crispy dumplings nestled in a rich, creamy peanut butter and soy sauce-based sauce, accented by a touch of chili oil for heat and fresh baby spinach for brightness. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, it combines the convenience of frozen dumplings with a luscious, homemade sauce that thickens as it bakes. Garnished with scallions and extra chili crisp, this dish delivers comfort and zest in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
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 oil from a jar of chili crisp), plus more for serving
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup packed baby spinach or arugula
- 14 to 16 frozen dumplings
- Thinly sliced scallion for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a resealable jar, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, and chili oil. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the prepared sauce into a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle the baby spinach evenly over the sauce. Arrange the frozen dumplings on top, spacing them slightly to ensure even cooking. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the dumplings to become hot throughout and crispy on top while the sauce thickens nicely.
- Adjust and serve: Remove the dish from the oven. Stir the sauce gently to coat all the dumplings evenly. If the sauce is not thick enough for your liking, bake uncovered for another 3 to 5 minutes. If it feels too thick, stir in a tablespoon or two of hot water to loosen the sauce. Garnish with more chili crisp and sliced scallions if desired, and serve immediately.
- Storage and reheating: Enjoy this dish best on the day it is made. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave until hot.
Notes
- Choose your preferred type of dumplings: vegetable, pork, chicken, or shrimp work well.
- Adjust the amount of chili oil based on your desired spice level.
- For a smoother sauce, use smooth peanut butter; for added texture, chunky peanut butter is excellent.
- Ensure dumplings have some space between them in the dish to allow for proper baking and crispiness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and are easy to reheat, making this a great make-ahead meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: dumpling bake, peanut butter sauce, baked dumplings, easy dinner, chili oil, spinach, Asian fusion recipe
