Honey Harissa Sausage Dumplings

These are my Honey Harissa Sausage Dumplings baked in the air fryer and they are such a crowd-pleaser. The sweetness from the honey balances perfectly with the spice from the harissa. It's one of my favourite dumpling starter dishes, I think you're going to love it!

I love dumplings, and these are some of the best dumplings to make for a get together with friends. They're made in the air fryer so they're really easy to cook. The flavours in this dish are phenomenal too!

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• EASY AIR FRYER: This recipe takes full advantage of the air fryer, ensuring perfectly crispy yet tender dumplings without the excess oil. The air fryer’s efficiency makes it a convenient and healthier cooking method, promising delightful results every time.
• EXPLOSION OF FLAVOUR: These dumplings are bursting with savoury goodness. The herby sausages, combined with the aromatic garlic, red onion, and fresh parsley, create a flavourful filling that’s both comforting and satisfying. With the sweet harissa creamy dressing, the marriage of flavours makes you want to come back for more.
• Perfect for Gatherings: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or a casual get-together, these dumplings are a crowd-pleaser. They’re not only delicious but also fun to make, making them an ideal choice for cooking with friends and family, fostering cute cooking memories.

If you love dumplings, why not try out my Cheat Baozi Recipe, or my Pan-Fried Turkey Dumplings!

INGREDIENTS

For The Dough:

• Flour: The base of the dough, providing structure and texture to the dumplings. It's a good source of carbohydrates, essential for energy. I've used all-purpose flour, but feel free to use a gluten-free flour if you'd like.
• Water: Binds the flour together, creating a pliable dough.
• Salt: Enhances the flavour of the dough and adds a subtle seasoning.

For The Filling:

• Herby Sausages: Feel free to use any sausages you have in the house. I like using sausages that are packed full with herbs as they tend to be more flavourful. You could also use sausage meat if you fancy, or any other kind of high-fat meat.
• Red Onion: Adds a sweet and tangy flavour to the filling.
• Garlic: Intensifies the overall taste with its aromatic essence. I've used 3 garlic cloves for this recipe, but if you're a garlic lover, feel free to add more.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley brightens the filling with its vibrant colour and adds a burst of freshness. It's a nutrient-rich herb, high in vitamins A, C, and K.

For The Dressing:

• Thick Yoghurt: Acts as a creamy base for serving the dumplings. I've used thick Greek yoghurt, but you could use any kind of thick yoghurt or Labneh.
• Harissa Paste: Offers a spicy and smoky kick to the sauce. I love using Belazu's smoky harissa paste, but feel free to use whatever brand you like. Just be careful with quantities, because some harissa pastes are much stronger in spice than others.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness, balancing the spiciness of harissa.

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, earthy flavour to the dressing. It's also nice to have a bit of an oily texture that adds to the dressing's consistency.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS FOR HONEY HARISSA SAUSAGE DUMPLINGS

All-Purpose Flour: If you're looking for a gluten-free alternative, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular all-purpose flour. These blends are specifically designed for various baked goods and often contain a mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum, ensuring a similar texture and structure in your dough. Be mindful of the blend you choose, as some are better suited for specific recipes like bread or pastry.

Herby Sausages: If you don't have any herby sausages, you can just use regular sausages and then add 1 tablespoon of mixed herbs to the filling. You could also use any type of minced meat if you're not a pork fan. For a vegetarian or vegan option, replace herby sausages with plant-based sausages made from ingredients like soy, tofu, or seitan. These sausages often come in various flavours, including herby options, providing a savoury, meaty taste without the use of animal products. Alternatively, you can create a flavourful filling using a mix of cooked lentils, mushrooms, and your favorite herbs and spices for a hearty, meatless alternative.

Red Onion: If you don't have red onion or prefer a milder flavour, you can substitute it with yellow or white onions. Yellow onions have a slightly stronger taste compared to white onions, but both work well in most recipes. Shallots can also be used as a substitute for red onion, offering a delicate, sweet flavour that enhances the overall taste of your dish.

Garlic: In place of fresh garlic cloves, you can use garlic powder or granulated garlic. Typically, ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder equals one medium garlic clove. Alternatively, roasted garlic paste provides a milder, caramelised flavour. If you prefer a fresh option but don't have cloves on hand, garlic chives or green garlic (young garlic shoots) can be used, adding a mild garlic flavour to your recipe.

Parsley: If you're out of fresh parsley, you can substitute it with fresh cilantro (coriander) or chives for a similar fresh and herbal element. Dried parsley is also an option, although it has a more concentrated flavour, so use it sparingly. Alternatively, you can experiment with other fresh herbs like basil or dill, depending on your taste preferences and the overall flavour profile you want to achieve.

Thick Yoghurt: Any kind of yoghurt works well for this dish including Labneh. You could use double cream and mix it with some lemon juice to thicken it up. You could also use hummus if you want a bit of a different approach. For a dairy-free alternative, you can use thick coconut yoghurt made from coconut milk. Almond yoghurt and soy yoghurt are also popular dairy-free options, offering a creamy texture similar to regular yoghurt. Greek yoghurt can be used as a substitute if you don't have thick yoghurt, providing a creamy base for serving the dumplings.

Harissa Paste: If you don't have harissa paste, you can create a substitute by combining equal parts of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Adjust the amounts to control the spiciness. Additionally, a mix of chili powder and tomato paste provides a flavourful alternative with a slightly different taste profile. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning to match your preference for heat and smokiness.

Honey: To substitute honey, you can use maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar syrup in equal quantities. Each of these alternatives provides sweetness and can be used as a direct replacement for honey. If you prefer a less sweet option, you can opt for molasses, which offers a rich, robust flavour. Date syrup is another natural sweetener that can be used as a honey substitute, providing a unique caramel-like sweetness to your dish. Remember to adjust the quantity based on your desired level of sweetness and the specific flavour profile you want to achieve.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Vegan Dumplings: Replace the herby sausages with a mix of finely chopped mushrooms, cooked lentils, and a blend of savoury spices. For umami flavor, add a tablespoon of soy sauce or nutritional yeast. This vegan version retains the hearty filling while accommodating a plant-based diet. You can keep the yoghurt base if you'd like, just ensure that it's vegan.

Dairy-Free: To create a dairy-free version, use plant-based sausages or seasoned crumbled tofu, or regular sausages for the filling. Instead of thick yoghurt, serve the dumplings with a dairy-free cashew or almond cream. The creaminess of these alternatives perfectly complements the spiciness of the harissa dressing.

More Meaty: For a heartier variation, mix the herby sausages with cooked bacon bits or ground pork. The addition of bacon enhances the smoky flavour, while ground pork adds richness. Adjust the seasoning to balance the flavours and create a meatier, indulgent filling.

HOW TO MAKE HONEY HARISSA SAUSAGE DUMPLINGS: STEP BY STEP

STEP 1: PREPARE THE DOUGH

• In a large bowl, combine flour, water, and salt, kneading until a smooth, pillowy dough forms. Cover and set aside.

STEP 2: MAKE THE FILLING

• Mash herby sausages, red onion, garlic, parsley, and flaky salt into a paste in a large bowl.

STEP 3: SHAPE THE DUMPLINGS

• Roll out the dough, cut into 10 equal pieces, and shape into circular wrappers. Place filling in the center, seal the edges, forming square kite-like dumplings.

STEP 4: AIR FRY

• Cook dumplings in the air fryer at 340°F (170°C) for 12 minutes until crispy.

STEP 5: SERVE UP

• Lay dumplings on thick yoghurt, drizzle with honey harissa dressing, and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

LEFTOVERS

Storage: Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge, ensuring they remain fresh for up to 2-3 days. Keep the dumplings separate to the yoghurt and honey harissa dressing. Assemble when ready to eat.

Reheating: Reheat dumplings in the air fryer at 340°F (170°C) for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, use a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, covering with foil to retain moisture.

Freezing: Freeze uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Cook directly from frozen in the air fryer at 340°F (170°C) for 15-18 minutes until crispy and cooked through.

FAQS FOR HONEY HARISSA SAUSAGE DUMPLINGS

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