Gyoza, those delightful little dumplings, aren’t the same without their signature wrapper.
Yet, sometimes you find yourself in a pinch, wrapper-less and craving homemade gyoza. No stress.
The good news is there are some fantastic substitutes that you can use that are probably already in your kitchen.
This article is here to save your dumpling day.
We’ll show you the top five alternatives to gyoza wrappers that not only work great but might just make your recipes even better. Ready to get creative?
The 5 Best Substitutes for Gyoza Wrappers
If you’re a fan of gyoza, you know there’s nothing quite like the tasty bite-sized morsels wrapped in a light and crispy wrapper.
But what if you can’t find gyoza wrappers at your local store? Don’t fret – there are plenty of delicious substitutes out there that will make your gyoza just as delicious.
Here are the five best substitutes for gyoza wrappers:
1 – Shumai Wrappers
Shumai wrappers are a type of dumpling pastry used in Chinese cuisine.
Unlike its gyoza wrapper counterpart, these are thinner, rounder, and significantly more pliable.
That’s not to say Shumai Wrappers don’t have their own unique texture – due to the use of tapioca or potato flour as opposed to wheat, these wrappers make for items that exude a surprisingly chewy bite.
Best of all, these can be substituted for gyoza wrappers when the former is not available or if a thicker consistency isn’t ideal for the dish in question.
Shumai wrappers tend to hold up excellently during the steaming or frying stages but only further emphasize the chewiness when drenched in sauce or soup.
Whether you’re looking for something stretchy and pliable or just something different than regular gyoza wraps, try opting for shumai wrappers next time around.
2 – Wonton Wrappers
Wonton wrappers are an interesting ingredient – they’re thin and delicate like a crepe, yet surprisingly flexible when cooked.
So what can you use them for? Making wontons, of course.
Unlike gyoza wrappers which are thicker and chewier, wonton wrappers can be used as edible dumpling wrappers to create a light, crisp texture that pairs well with a variety of fillings.
The great thing about using wonton wrappers is that it’s fairly simple – just peel and stuff the wrapper with whatever filling your heart desires.
To achieve an even better texture, be sure to wet the edges before sealing the wrapper completely.
Alternatively, the wonton wrapper can also be used as a tasty substitute for gyoza sheets because of its pliability and ease of folding over fillings.
3 – Spring Roll Wrappers
You might have heard about spring roll wrappers, but do you really know what they are? Spring roll wrappers are thin sheets of dough typically made from wheat flour and water.
To reach its delicate texture that is so crunchy and lighter than air, the dough must be stretched several times until they become as thin as possible.
This results in an unmanageable stickiness that necessitates the use of a damp cloth to separate each wrapper when it’s time to cook them.
They come in various shapes and sizes, usually ranging between 4 and 8 inches in diameter.
Spring roll wrappers can also be substituted for gyoza wrappers, which means they can double as extraordinary dumplings with a little creativity.
To use them as gyoza wrappers, lightly brush each side of the wrapper with sesame oil before filling it with your favorite ingredients, then pinch the edges together to secure them perfectly.
4 – Egg Roll Wrappers
When it comes to snacks and appetizers, it’s easy to want to reach for the tried-and-true.
Egg roll wrappers offer a convenient and delicious way to enjoy your favorite flavor combinations without additional fuss or complexity.
These thin, rice flour-based sheets are incredibly versatile, allowing you to create egg rolls with both savory and sweet fillings.
For a unique take on dumplings, the wrappers can easily be used as a substitute for gyoza wrappers too.
All you need to do is cut out round circles using a cookie cutter, spoon in your filling of choice, fold them over, and seal them tightly.
With this simple technique, egg roll wrappers can bring exotic flavors and textures to your everyday lunch routine.
5 – Thin Deep-Fried Tofu (Abura-age)
Abura-age, or thin deep-fried tofu, is perplexing, to say the least.
Not quite tofu and not quite a crispy snack; it seems to fit in between both categories.
Fried with vegetable oil instead of sesame oil as its Japanese counterpart is, this type of tofu also has less moisture than your average block of firm tofu.
It’s got a salty and smoky flavor that makes it uniquely delicious when used in Japanese cooking.
Want to use Abura-age as gyoza wrappers? Simply cut the thin sheets into desired shapes and fill them with your favorite dumpling fillings like pork or vegetables for an extra crunchy spin on traditional wonton dishes.
All you need to do is steam until golden and enjoy – now that’s what we call food bliss.
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