Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings with Tofu and Nori

These crispy rice paper dumplings with tofu and nori are similar to sushi… But with a shortcut. With minimal skill and equipment required, anyone can make these!

I don’t know about you, but I love dumplings in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. However, making dumplings is an art, particularly if you want them to look good. A few years ago, my husband and I attended a dumpling cooking class, and while we ended up with a delicious dinner, it wasn’t as easy as it looks!

On the other hand, these crispy rice paper dumplings leave nothing to chance. They are practically impossible to mess up. Not to mention, they are hearty enough for dinner, and also budget-friendly.

Have you got a copy of my Scrappy Cookbook yet? Full of accessible and tasty recipes just like this one, this book is a visual masterpiece and a great tool for reducing food waste. Plus, learning to make your produce go further will help you save some money in the long run!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• If you love sushi, this recipe uses many of the same elements. You end up with signature ingredients like sushi rice, nori, fresh veggies and tofu wrapped together and served in the form of a dumpling.
• Similar to sushi (and dumplings, let’s face it), you can customize the filling to your liking. I am all about swaps and add-ins if it makes you eat more plants!
• From a nutrition perspective, these crispy rice paper dumplings with tofu and nori cover you on all fronts. You get carbs, protein, fat and fiber in appropriate amounts.
• This is a sheet pan recipe! Which means fewer dishes to wash, and you can multitask while making this dish.

Dumplings Around the World

A dumpling is a very broad term that refers to a variety of dishes that can be filled or unfilled, and cooked in numerous ways. The specific qualifications of a dumpling can vary widely across different cuisines, but generally, the characteristics that define a dumpling are the dough, shape, filling, and cooking method.

Different cultures have their own unique interpretations and recipes for dumplings, leading to a wide variety of types, such as:

• Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi, Baozi, Wontons). They can be boiled, steamed, or fried with various fillings. Some types of Chinese dumplings are served with broth.
• Japanese dumplings (Gyoza). Typically pan-fried and often filled with a combination of meat and vegetables.
• Italian dumplings (Ravioli, Gnocchi). Traditionally, pasta dumplings come with sauce.
• Eastern European dumplings (Pierogi, Vareniki). The dough for these dumplings is typically thicker and more hearty. Additionally, Eastern European dumplings can be both sweet or savoury.
• Indian dumplings (Samosas, Modak). Fried or steamed, dumplings filled with spiced filling are popular in India and surrounding regions.
• West African dumplings (Fufu). A typical addition to stews, this starchy dumpling is one of the most famous West African meals.

In summary, while the specific ingredients, shapes, and cooking methods can vary, dumplings are a favorite for many people around the world.

How to Make This Recipe

If you want to make the cooking process more efficient, you can set several things in motion to let you multitask.

Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet pan with some parchment or reusable silicone liner.

Then, start with the tofu. Slice a block of tofu into 12 rectangles and place them evenly on the baking sheet. In a shallow bowl, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Brush this marinade on both sides of the tofu and bake for 25 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through. 

Meanwhile, cook the sushi rice according to packaging instructions. You want it to be fully cooked and slightly sticky.

Take advantage of this time to slice up carrots, cucumber and avocado. Prepare a space to assemble the dumplings: you will need a shallow bowl with warm water and a plate or a cutting board.

Once all of the elements are ready to go, it’s time to make the dumplings! One at a time, dip a piece of rice paper in warm water, then transfer to a plate. Add a couple of spoons of sushi rice in the middle and shape it to the size of the tofu.

Then, add nori, tofu, avocado, cucumber, and carrot. Fold each corner of the rice paper over the filling. If needed, wrap it in a second piece of rice paper. You can also dip both sides in sesame seeds. 

Transfer the dumplings back to the sheet pan and brush or spray them with oil. Bake until crispy on each side. Enjoy immediately with soy or peanut sauce as desired. 

Hack It!

• Alternative cooking method: you can pan-fry your dumplings to crisp them up faster.
• Alternative cooking method: if you have an air fryer, it’s perfect for baking your dumplings the the perfect amount of crispy!
• Feel free to get creative with the filling. If you have some vegetables that need using ASAP to avoid waste, add them in! Try these dumplings with bell peppers, cabbage, herbs, spinach, radish, and more.
• Similarly, you can use noodles in place of rice. Just bear in mind that noodles are not as easy to form into a rectangle.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Shredded Tofu Wrap
• 8 Mouth-Watering Stir-Fry Recipes
• Fiery Gochujang Noodles
• Quick Dumpling Soup
• Giant Spring Rolls

For even more healthy, plant-based recipes, check out the PlantYou Planner! It’s a digital meal planner that features over 600 delicious vegan recipes! Every recipe can be adjusted to make enough servings for your household size. What’s more, you can take advantage of the FREE beginner vegan meal plan before you make up your mind.

After years of taking a variety of supplements, I recently partnered with an amazing company to create an all-in-one multinutrient specifically designed for plant-based and plant-centered eaters! That’s right, with Complement x PlantYou Essential, you can stay healthy and support a women-led business.