Rat Dumplings Recipe
A Whimsical Twist on a Classic Appetizers.
Adorable and savory dumplings shaped like little rats, filled with a delicious mix of ground chicken and aromatic spices. Perfect for a themed party or a fun family meal.
I remember the first time I made these. My little one was going through a phase of being obsessed with a certain animated movie about a chef rat, and well, inspiration struck. I thought, why not? Let's make something silly and memorable for dinner. The kitchen was a mess of flour and laughter. Folding these little shapes, adding tiny sesame seed eyes... it was less about making a perfect meal and more about creating a feeling. When I lifted the lid of the steamer and saw all their little faces looking up, wow, it was just pure magic. It’s one of those core memories now, a reminder that the best meals are the ones cooked with a little bit of whimsy.
Why These Little Guys Will Steal Your Heart
- •They're just so dang cute. It's impossible not to smile when you see them.
- •The savory, juicy filling is surprisingly sophisticated and deeply satisfying.
- •It’s a recipe that makes memories. Perfect for a themed party or just a fun night in with the family.
- •They're a fantastic way to get creative in the kitchen without needing professional skills.
"My family absolutely lost it when I brought these out for our Halloween party. They were almost too cute to eat... almost! The savory filling is just so perfectly juicy and flavorful. A total hit!"
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Ground Chicken: Provides a light yet flavorful base for the filling. Ground turkey would also work beautifully here.
- Dumpling Wrappers: Look for the round, thin kind in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. They make assembly a breeze.
- Black Sesame Seeds: These are essential for giving your little rats their eyes! They add that final, crucial touch of personality.
Complete Cooking Process
- Gather all your filling ingredients: ground chicken, green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and egg white.
- In a bowl, gently combine the ground chicken with the aromatics (onions, ginger, garlic).
- Add the liquid seasonings and the egg white, mixing until just incorporated. Don't overmix!
- Let the filling rest for a few minutes for the flavors to deepen.
- Set up your assembly station with wrappers, filling, a bowl of water, and decorations (sesame seeds, carrot/chive tails).
- Place filling in the center of a wrapper and moisten the edges.
- Fold into a half-moon, then bring the corners together to create the body shape.
- Pinch a snout, form two little ears, and attach a tail.
- Carefully place two black sesame seeds for eyes. It feels a bit like being a sculptor, doesn't it?
- Line your steamer basket to prevent any sticking. Cabbage leaves are a lovely, natural option.
- Arrange the dumplings in a single layer, giving them a little breathing room.
- Steam over boiling water for 10-12 minutes.
- The wrappers will become tender and slightly see-through when they're ready.
- Serve immediately while they are warm and wonderful.
Your Questions, Answered
→Can I use a different filling?
Absolutely! A mix of finely minced vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage would be a wonderful vegetarian option. Just be sure to pre-cook the vegetables to release excess moisture.
→Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the dumplings and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. You can steam them directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
→My dumpling wrappers are tearing. What am I doing wrong?
Oh, that can be frustrating. Make sure your wrappers are fresh and not dried out. Keep the ones you're not using under a damp cloth. Also, be careful not to overfill them—a small teaspoon of filling is usually perfect.
Rat Dumplings Recipe
Try this unique rat dumplings recipe! A savory and delicious dumpling dish perfect as an appetizer or snack. Get the recipe here.
Timing
Prep Time
45 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Savory Filling
- 011 lb ground chicken
- 023 green onions, finely chopped
- 031 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 042 cloves garlic, minced
- 052 tablespoons soy sauce
- 061 teaspoon sesame oil
- 071/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 081 large egg white, lightly beaten
For Assembly
- 0124-30 round dumpling wrappers
- 02A small bowl of water
- 03Black sesame seeds, for the eyes
- 04Thinly sliced carrots or chives, for the tails
Instructions
First, let's make that lovely filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, chopped green onions, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Just gently mix everything together with your hands or a spoon. Don't overwork it.
Now, drizzle in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and sprinkle with white pepper. Add the egg white. Mix again until everything is just combined. The texture should feel light and cohesive. Set it aside for a moment to let the flavors meld.
Time for the fun part. Lay out a few dumpling wrappers on a clean surface. Place about a teaspoon of the filling in the center of a wrapper. Dip your finger in the small bowl of water and moisten the entire edge of the wrapper.
To form the rat shape, fold the wrapper in half over the filling, pressing to seal, creating a half-moon. Gently pull the two corners of the straight edge together, dabbing one with water and overlapping them to seal. This will create a teardrop-like body.
Pinch the pointed end to form a little snout. For the ears, use your thumb and index finger to pinch two small sections of the dough on top of the head. For the tail, gently press a thin sliver of carrot or a chive into the back. And for the eyes, use tweezers or the tip of a toothpick to place two black sesame seeds. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling. It's okay if they're all a little different; that's their charm!
Prepare your steamer by lining it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Arrange the dumplings in the steamer, leaving a little space between each one so they don't crowd each other.
Steam the dumplings over boiling water for about 10-12 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the wrappers are tender and translucent. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes & Tips
- 1Look, don't stress about making each one look like a perfect replica. The charm is in their handmade quality. Some might be chubby, some might be skinny—it’s all part of the story.
Tools You'll Need
- •Keep your dumpling wrappers covered with a damp towel while you work to prevent them from drying out.
- •Don't overfill the dumplings, or they'll be difficult to seal and might burst during steaming.
- •A pair of tweezers can be your best friend when placing the tiny black sesame seed eyes.
- •Embrace imperfection! Each little rat will have its own personality, and that's the beauty of it.