Air-Fryer Magic: Frozen Lumpia, The Perfect Quick Snack

Lumpia is a Filipino version of a spring roll, typically filled with ground chicken or pork, vegetables, and sauces. It is a popular dish at Filipino gatherings and celebrations. Frozen lumpia can be cooked in an air fryer in under 15 minutes, resulting in a crispy, golden brown finish without the need for deep frying. This method is healthier, quicker, and less messy than traditional frying.

How to cook frozen lumpia in an air fryer

Lumpia is a Filipino version of a spring roll, typically made with ground chicken or pork, vegetables, and sauces. It is a popular dish at Filipino gatherings and celebrations. Cooking frozen lumpia in an air fryer is an easy and convenient way to achieve a crispy, golden brown finish without using too much oil. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking frozen lumpia in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (around 180°C). Most recipes recommend a cooking temperature of 375°F, but you can go as low as 350°F if you prefer. Preheat your air fryer for 2-5 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the Lumpia

Place the frozen lumpia in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping and have some space around them for the hot air to circulate. This will ensure even cooking and crispiness. You can spray the lumpia with cooking spray or brush them with a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or avocado oil. This step will help achieve an even crispier texture, similar to deep-frying.

Step 3: Air Fry the Lumpia

Once your air fryer is preheated and the lumpia are prepared, it's time to start cooking. Set the timer for 9-12 minutes at 350-375°F. Keep an eye on the lumpia, and if they start to look too brown, you can reduce the temperature to 300°F.

Step 4: Flip and Cook Again

After the initial cooking time, use tongs to flip the lumpia to the opposite side. Brush this side with oil or cooking spray as well. Set the timer for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness and Serve

Keep an eye on your lumpia during the final minutes of cooking. You want them to be golden brown and crispy. If they need more time, you can cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes. Once they are ready, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a serving dish. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Storing and Reheating Lumpia

Lumpia is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the lumpia back into the air fryer basket and heat at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through.

Tips and Variations

• Some recipes recommend using olive oil, while others suggest avoiding it due to its strong flavor. If you want a neutral flavor and a crispy texture, go for a different type of oil.
• You can serve lumpia with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, or a combination of soy sauce with honey, garlic powder, red chili flakes, and rice vinegar.
• While this recipe is for frozen lumpia, you can also make fresh lumpia from scratch using lumpia wrappers and your choice of fillings.
• Do not air-fry vegetarian lumpia. Instead, bake them in the oven or fry them in oil.

Lumpia cooking time and temperature

Lumpia is a Filipino version of a spring roll, typically filled with ground chicken or pork, carrots, onions, cabbage, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. It is a popular dish at Filipino gatherings and celebrations.

Cooking Time and Temperature

When cooking frozen lumpia in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350-390° F (176-198° C). The cooking time will vary depending on the number of lumpia being cooked and the desired level of crispiness. For a single layer of lumpia, cook for 9-10 minutes, checking halfway through and turning the lumpia for even colouring. If the lumpia are not crisp enough, they can be cooked for an additional 1-2 minutes.

If you are frying the lumpia in oil, heat the oil to 350º F and fry for 5-7 minutes, turning the lumpia until they are golden brown on all sides. Continue frying for an additional minute if needed.

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary slightly depending on the brand and model of the air fryer being used.

Lumpia dipping sauces

Lumpia, the Filipino version of spring rolls, is a tasty treat and a great appetizer. The best part about eating lumpia is the variety of sauces you can dip them in. Here are some ideas for lumpia dipping sauces:

Sweet and Sour Sauce

A standard condiment for lumpia, this sauce is a perfect combination of sweet and sour flavours. You can make it at home by combining apple cider vinegar, cornstarch, ketchup, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it thicken, then let it cool to room temperature. This sauce is also great on wontons, fried rice, and dim sum.

Soy Sauce with Hot Chili Oil

A simple yet classic dipping sauce for lumpia is soy sauce with added hot chili oil. You can also make a more complex sauce by adding garlic powder, red chili flakes, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to soy sauce.

Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce is another excellent option for a lumpia dipping sauce. It has a sweet and spicy flavour that pairs well with the Filipino dish.

Tabasco Sauce

If you like your lumpia with a kick, Tabasco sauce is a great choice. It will add a spicy twist to your lumpia.

Garlic Chili Sauce

For those who love garlic, a garlic chili sauce is a perfect choice. It adds a spicy and savoury flavour to the lumpia.

Spicy Sweet and Sour Sauce

If you like your lumpia with an extra kick, you can make a spicy version of the sweet and sour sauce. Just add some extra red pepper flakes or chili oil to the standard recipe.

Soy Sauce, Garlic, Ginger, and Brown Sugar

For a more complex sauce, you can combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. Thicken the mixture with a cornstarch slurry and cook until bubbly. This sauce adds a savoury and slightly sweet flavour to the lumpia.

Other Ideas

Other dipping sauces that would pair well with lumpia include pineapple sweet and sour sauce, peanut-tamarind sauce, enchilada sauce, and teriyaki sauce. You can also serve lumpia with a simple plate of soy sauce on the side.

Reheating lumpia in an air fryer

Firstly, it is important to note that lumpia is best reheated in an air fryer if it has been stored correctly. Leftover lumpia should be allowed to cool to room temperature and then placed in an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.

When you are ready to reheat your lumpia, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set the temperature to between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for around three minutes.
• Place the lumpia in the air fryer basket: Ensure that you lay the lumpia in a single layer, leaving space around each one so that the hot air can circulate freely. This will ensure that they heat evenly and become crispy.
• Brush the lumpia with oil: You can use cooking spray, vegetable oil, or olive oil for this step. Brushing the lumpia with oil will help to crisp them up and give them a golden colour.
• Air fry for around 10 minutes: The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your lumpia and the power of your air fryer. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.
• Flip the lumpia halfway through: Use a pair of tongs to turn the lumpia over halfway through the cooking process, so they cook evenly on both sides.
• Check the internal temperature: The internal temperature of the lumpia should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure they are reheated thoroughly. If they have not reached this temperature, continue cooking for another minute or two.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce: Lumpia is often served with a sweet and sour sauce, made from soy sauce, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and chilli peppers, or a simple soy sauce for dipping.

By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy reheated lumpia with your choice of dipping sauce. It is a quick and easy way to prepare this popular Filipino dish.

Lumpia cooking alternatives

Lumpia is a Filipino version of spring rolls, typically made with ground chicken or pork, vegetables, and a variety of seasonings. They are usually deep-fried, but there are several alternative cooking methods for those who want to avoid using large amounts of oil. Here are some options for cooking lumpia without deep frying:

Air Frying

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses hot air instead of oil to cook the food. Frozen lumpia can be cooked in an air fryer in a single layer at 300F for about 10 minutes. It is recommended to spray the lumpia with cooking spray or brush them with oil before air frying to ensure even cooking and browning.

Baking

Lumpia can also be baked in the oven, although this method may take longer than air frying. Preheat the oven to 350-400°F and place the lumpia on a sheet pan, leaving about a 1/4-inch space between them. Optionally, coat the lumpia with cooking spray to promote browning. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Pan-Frying

For a smaller batch of lumpia, pan-frying is an option. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Fry 3-4 lumpia at a time, turning them occasionally, until all sides are golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Drain the excess oil on a paper towel before serving.

Alternative Wrappers

While traditional lumpia wrappers are thin and delicate, alternative wrappers can be used to change the texture and cooking method. Wonton wrappers, spring roll wrappers, and egg roll wrappers are all viable options and can be found at most grocery stores.

Vegetarian Lumpia

It is important to note that vegetarian lumpia should not be air-fried, according to one source. However, another source mentions that air-fried vegetarian lumpia is possible and provides instructions: set the air fryer to 370F and cook for about 12 minutes, spraying a small amount of cooking oil on the wrapper if desired.

Frequently asked questions