How Do You Keep Dumplings From Sticking to the Basket in a Steamer

The best way to cook dumplings is to use a steamer. If you have ever tried it, you know that the biggest challenge lies in preventing the dumplings from sticking to the steamer's bottom. I have three reliable methods that will ensure your dumplings don't stick and are easily removed after cooking.

Pain points: Placing the dumpling directly on the bottom of the basket can lead to sticking problems after cooking. This becomes problematic because the dumpling is hot, and bits of dough might cling to the basket's holes, making them difficult to remove. Moreover, the dumpling's surface may tear as you try to free it from the steamer.

I experimented with all three techniques on Czech bread dumplings using a Tefal electric metal steamer (a French brand, Europe). If interested, take a look at the dumpling recipe I cooked. In each instance, I followed the recipe, steaming the dumplings for 25 minutes.

Let's see how it works!

Grease the metal basket with a little cooking oil

Before placing the dumpling in the steamer, grease the metal basket with a touch of cooking oil. Prior to placing the dumplings in the steamer, lightly coat the basket's bottom with oil using a pastry brush. I typically opt for sunflower or canola oil. Brushing ensures easy removal of the dumplings post-cooking without any sticking issues.

Line the basket with parchment paper

If you are a home baker, you probably have some parchment or baking paper on hand. Cut out parchment squares to match the size of your dumpling. The process is simple: place the cut piece of parchment paper in the basket, then put the dumpling on it and start the steamer. The structure of the parchment paper allows the hot steam to pass through to the dumpling, cooking it evenly.

After cooking, the dumpling can be easily removed from the basket, and if it happens to stick a bit, you can easily peel the parchment paper off it.

Pro tip: Look for perforated parchment paper in stores. The holes in the paper allow for even better steam distribution, resulting in perfectly cooked dumplings.

Place a damp, wrung-out towel in the basket

This method is a classic, time-tested technique that works like a charm. It harks back to the days when electric steamers were not even on the market. A towel would be secured over a pot of water, with the dumpling placed atop it. With the pot covered, the water would be brought to a boil, effectively creating a makeshift steamer.

The beauty of it is that you can still employ this method with a modern steamer. Simply lay a small kitchen towel in the metal basket, having soaked it in water beforehand and wrung it out. If you're dealing with yeast dumplings, opt for lukewarm water to avoid shocking the yeast dough. Place the dumpling on the towel, cover it with the lid, and let it steam away. It's as easy as that!

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I tested out all three methods, and they each yielded pretty good results. No matter which one you choose, your dumplings will not stick to the basket and will be effortless to remove.

If I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with the wet towel approach. It consistently delivered perfectly cooked dumplings, sliced open to reveal a fluffy interior. However, I might be biased by a certain dose of nostalgia, because this is how my Czech grandma used to steam dumplings.

How about you? Do you steam your dumplings? Let me know in the comments which method you use!

More Czech dumpling recipes:

• Potato dumpling (bramborový knedlík)
• Fruit dumplings (ovocné knedlíky)
• Plum dumplings with poppy seed topping (švestkové knedlíky)

Or browse the category with all Czech dumpling recipes.