Viral Dumpling Bake
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the viral dumpling bake floating around. And yes, I tested it. And yes, it deserves the hype.
This Trader Joe’s viral dumpling bake recipe is one of those genius low-effort dinners that feels way fancier than it actually is. Frozen dumplings, a creamy coconut sauce, a little sweet chili heat, and boom. Into the oven. No pan-frying. No babysitting. Just bubbling, saucy dumplings with crispy edges and a cozy, slurpable base.
It’s basically a viral frozen dumpling bake meets comfort food meets “I forgot to meal prep but I still want something good.”
And the best part? You can make it in individual ramekins or double it into a larger baking dish and turn it into a full-on easy dumpling casserole.
If you love cozy one-dish meals like my One-Pot Creamy Beef Spaghettios or Crack Chicken Chili, this viral dumpling bake fits right into that low-effort comfort dinner category.
Table of contents
Why This Viral Dumpling Bake Works
This isn’t just internet hype. There’s a reason the viral dumplings recipe exploded.
- The coconut milk keeps everything creamy and rich
- The teriyaki and sweet chili sauce bring sweet + salty balance
- The dumplings steam in the sauce so they stay tender
- The uncovered bake at the end thickens and caramelizes the edges
It’s an oven baked frozen dumplings trick that actually improves the texture instead of drying them out.
If you love cozy one-dish meals like my One-Pot Creamy Beef Grown-Up Spaghettios or Creamy Chicken Street Corn Chili, this hits that same low-effort, high-reward energy.
Ingredients Breakdown (And Why They Matter)
Frozen Dumplings
Use pork, chicken, shrimp, or veggie. Trader Joe’s frozen dumplings work perfectly here, which is why this became the Trader Joe’s viral dumpling bake in the first place.
No need to thaw. They go in straight from frozen.
Full-Fat Coconut Milk
This is what makes the sauce rich and silky. Do not use light coconut milk unless you want a thinner sauce.
Sweet Chili Sauce
Adds sweetness and subtle heat. It balances the savory teriyaki.
Teriyaki Sauce
Deepens flavor and gives that umami backbone.
Bone Broth or Water
Bone broth adds protein and richness, but water works in a pinch.
Lime Juice or Rice Vinegar
Acidity cuts through the richness and keeps it from feeling heavy.
Napa Cabbage or Spinach
Adds texture and makes this feel like a full meal instead of just dumplings swimming in sauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Make The Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Coconut milk
- Sweet chili sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Bone broth or water
- Lime juice or rice vinegar
- Garlic
- Ginger or black pepper
Whisk until completely smooth.
Step 3: Layer
Add sliced napa cabbage or spinach to the bottom of your ramekin.
Place 4 frozen dumplings directly on top of the greens.
Step 4: Pour & Cover
Pour the sauce evenly over the dumplings.
Cover loosely with foil. This allows them to steam properly.
Step 5: Bake
Bake covered for 18 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 8–10 minutes until the sauce bubbles and slightly thickens.
Step 6: Top & Serve
Top with:
- Chili crisp
- Green onions
- Fresh herbs
Serve hot.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the ramekin. Dumplings need space for sauce to circulate.
- If your sauce seems too thin after baking, let it rest 5 minutes. It thickens naturally.
- Want crispy tops? Broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
- If using a larger baking dish, increase bake time by 5–7 minutes.
- For extra richness, stir 1 teaspoon sesame oil into the sauce.
Troubleshooting
Dumplings Are Still Cold Inside
Your oven may run cool. Add 3–5 more minutes covered before uncovering.
Sauce Too Watery
Use full-fat coconut milk. Light coconut milk will thin the sauce.
Sauce Too Thick
Add 1–2 tablespoons extra broth before baking uncovered.
Dumplings Stuck To Bottom
Add greens underneath every dumpling. They act as a buffer layer.
Make It A Full Meal
Want to bulk this up?
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken
- Stir in cooked rice after baking
- Double the sauce and serve over jasmine rice
- Turn it into a full one dish dumpling bake in a 9×9 pan
Serve this viral frozen dumpling bake over rice like I do with my Honey Garlic Chicken for a heartier dinner.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
Reheat in microwave or oven at 350°F until warm.
Just like my Brookie Protein Balls, this is one of those prep-friendly recipes that makes weeknights easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pork, chicken, shrimp, or veggie dumplings all work. Use them straight from frozen — no thawing needed. Thawing can make them too soft before baking.
Yes, just assemble everything and refrigerate uncooked. Do not bake until you’re ready to eat. Bake fresh for the best texture. You may need to add 2–3 extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
Yes. Use gluten-free dumplings and gluten-free teriyaki sauce. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Yes. Double the recipe and use an 8×8 or 9×9 pan. Add about 5–7 extra minutes to the covered bake time so everything cooks through evenly.
Let it sit for 5 minutes after baking; it thickens as it cools. Also, make sure you’re using full-fat coconut milk, not light.
They need the covered bake time to steam properly. If they’re still cool inside, add 3–5 more minutes covered before uncovering.
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Viral Dumpling Bake
Ingredients
- 4 frozen dumplings
- 3 tbsp full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 tbsp chicken bone broth or water
- ½ tsp lime juice or rice vinegar
- ¼ tsp garlic grated
- Pinch black pepper or ginger
- ? cup sliced napa cabbage or spinach
Toppings
- Chili crisp
- Green onions
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together coconut milk, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, bone broth or water, lime juice, garlic, and ginger or black pepper until smooth.
- Add napa cabbage or spinach to the bottom of a ramekin.
- Place frozen dumplings on top of the greens.
- Pour sauce evenly over the dumplings.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 18 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 8–10 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and slightly thickened.
- Top with chili crisp, green onions, and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
• Full-fat coconut milk creates the best creamy sauce.
• Let the bake rest 5 minutes before serving — sauce thickens as it cools.
• For a crispier top, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
• To meal prep: assemble and refrigerate uncooked. Bake fresh when ready to eat.
