Air Fryer Suet Dumplings For Stew
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Suet Dumplings For Stew. How to make the most delicious suet dumplings for stew or mince in your air fryer. These suet dumpling balls come out perfectly and are ideal for your winter one pot meals.

Suet Dumplings For Stew
Today is a great day, because I am talking about how to make yummy suet dumplings for stew in the air fryer.
I am a dumplings addict, and, in my world, dumplings are the best part of a comforting bowl of stew.
Growing up in northern England and more specifically Yorkshire, means that homemade suet dumplings was always on the menu.
Normally with a bowl of hearty beef stew and sometimes lamb stew. Or even better when you had mince with suet dumplings.
But what I really wanted to do, was to take an old school classic like suet dumplings and make them in the air fryer.
The plan was for the dumplings to have a wonderful crunch, be cooked perfectly in the middle and load into a bowl of stew.

What Are British Dumplings?
I imagine many American readers, sat their scrolling on their phones intrigued by what exactly British dumplings are, that us Brits eat with our beef stew.
Well the same can be said for Brits when they land on an American recipe for biscuits and gravy.
Suet dumplings are very similar to the American biscuits. We use a packet mix which is called shredded beef suet and add in a few quick ingredients.
The dumplings are then rolled into balls and either loaded into a stew or cooked separately and added to the stew later.
Shredded suet is made from beef drippings and gives a wonderful beef flavour to our dumplings and make the most delicious old school dumplings that I have ever tried.
It is also the same shredded suet that is used in many old school British dessert puddings.
Though I find that suet is not as popular as it once was. Which is such a shame because it is great for a cheap Sunday stew.
Can You Make Dumplings With Plain Flour?
Yes you can make dumplings with plain flour. But do note, that self raising flour, that is recommended, helps them rise. So, if you go with plain flour you will be making much smaller dumplings.
How To Cook Dumplings Without Stew?
To cook dumplings without stew you air fry them! Make your suet dumplings, load into the air fryer basket and when it beeps, you have perfectly cooked dumplings.
Then serve them over your stew, casserole, soup, or whatever you have in mind for dinner.
How Do You Know When Dumplings Are Done?
Firstly, they will have a wonderful golden glow thanks to the air fryer and will look amazing.
Secondly, tap your dumplings on the bottom and if you hear a hollow sound then they are DONE!

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How To Make Dumplings Without Suet?
Even though the best dumplings are made with suet, you might not have any in your kitchen cupboard.
I go through phases of wanting stew and dumplings, only to notice I am out of suet.
My local British supermarket that sells suet is a 45 minute return trip and that’s when I make what I call my air fryer biscuits.
They are similar to American biscuits and are the scone mix loaded with seasonings and perfect for air frying.
How To Make Dumplings For Stew?

The quick version of baking a suet dumplings in the air fryer goes as follows:
- Load shredded suet into a mixing bowl.
- Add in extra ingredients.
- Mix with your hands and make into balls.
- Air fry + add to stew.
There is a little more to it than that, but those are the simple basics!
How Long Do Dumplings Take To Cook?
Suet dumplings take just 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. We recommend an air fryer temperature of 160c/320f.
Can You Freeze Dumplings?
Absolutely1 I have done this many times over the years. I often find that there will be a short amount of dumplings left over and will freeze them for another meal time.
Though dumplings do taste much better if they are reheated from thawed rather than from frozen.
Listen To Suet Dumplings in Air Fryer

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Suet Dumpling Recipes
After you make a batch of suet dumplings, I am sure you are looking for stew recipes to try it out with.
Well here are my stew and dumpling favourites:

Air Fryer Suet Dumplings For Stew
Ingredients
Kitchen Gadgets:
Suet Dumplings Ingredients:
- 50 g Shredded Suet
- 100 g Self Raising Flour
- 40 g Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Parsley
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Load. Add your shredded suet mix into a bowl and load in your other ingredients.
- Mix. Using your hands, thoroughly mix your ingredients and then add a little water at a time until you have a mixture like dough consistency.
- Balls. Flour a clean worktop. Make into medium dumpling balls and place into your air fryer basket or air fryer grill pan.
- Cook. Air fry for 10 minutes at 160c/320f.
- Finish. Load over stew or mince and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Can’t make it now? Then pin it for later!

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I have been looking for away to do dumplings i think we call them biscuits, these were lovely and another great use for my air fryer, many thanks.
I used to put my dumplings in with my stews usually in my Crockpot but these i tried for the first time and tasted great and the crispiness of these dumplings was a welcome change from the doughy feeling of the old way but my hubby said he preferred the old way so you cannot please everyone thanks.
I meant suet mix!!!! Silly auto correct!
Hello Nancy,
Thank you for the clarification. Suet mix you can buy at any supermarket but probably only in the UK. i have found it on Amazon US for you if that is where you are located but finding it locally i am not quite sure:
https://amzn.to/2LnneSk (Affiliate link)
Check the link above and it has all the info you will need.
Many thanks 🙂
I use a light oil to make my english dumplings , instead of suet.
Especially good for vegetarians.
You can also buy vegetarian suet.
Hi, thank you for this brilliant recipe. I made mince and dumplings last night and everyone enjoyed it. I usually have to take the dumplings out of the pan and put them under the grill to brown off the tops, this way was so much easier. Can I just say I laughed when I saw pictures no3 where you are showing the dumpling balls, it looks like spider man is looking over the top of the counter. Thanks again x
Have you tried the sweet versions.
Use normal suet dumpling mix without the salt.
Add about 1-2oz demerara sugar.
2 oz Sultana’s / raisins or a mix of both.
Mixed spice to taste.
Then air fry as normal
Serve with custard.
Hi Glyn,
No we have not but i will be trying these when i next do some baking thank you 🙂