Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Cooking Raw Or Frozen?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional frying methods. They are mini convection ovens that cook food by circulating hot air, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior without the extra fat from frying. You can cook raw egg rolls in an air fryer by brushing or spraying the basket with oil, adding the egg rolls, and cooking them in batches to ensure even cooking. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the egg rolls, the air fryer model, and the number of egg rolls cooked at once. For a delicious appetizer or snack, air-fried egg rolls are a great option!

How to wrap egg rolls

Yes, you can cook raw egg rolls in an air fryer.

To begin, place your egg roll wrapper on a dry surface. Most egg roll wrappers are square-shaped and should be placed in a diamond orientation, with the corners facing up and down. If you are using a thin wrapper, place the wrapper so that one corner is facing towards you. Now, it's time to add the filling. For a wrapper in a diamond orientation, place about 1/3 cup of your desired filling in the middle. If your wrapper is oriented with one corner facing you, place a tablespoon of filling in the bottom half, closest to you.

Once you have added the filling, it's time to start rolling. If your wrapper is in a diamond orientation, start by folding the left and right corners towards the centre, followed by the bottom corner. Then, roll towards the remaining top corner to form a tight cylinder. If your wrapper has one corner facing you, wrap that corner over the filling and then turn both sides over the wrapper. Continue rolling away from you until you reach the end.

Finally, seal the edges of the wrapper. You can do this by dipping your fingers in water and dampening the edges, using a beaten egg, or with an egg wash (one egg mixed with 2 tablespoons of milk). Repeat this process until all your wrappers are rolled and ready for cooking.

Once your egg rolls are wrapped, you can cook them in your air fryer. Brush or spray the tops of the egg rolls with olive oil or another cooking spray and place them in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of egg rolls, you may need to work in batches. Cook at 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes, then flip the egg rolls and cook for an additional 2-6 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.

Enjoy your freshly cooked egg rolls!

Oil coating methods

Oil coating is an essential step in the process of cooking egg rolls in an air fryer. It helps to create a crispy and golden shell, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the dish. Here are some detailed instructions on different oil coating methods to achieve the perfect air-fried egg rolls:

Brushing:

Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the tops of the egg rolls with olive oil or sesame oil. This method ensures an even distribution of oil and prevents the wrappers from bubbling up during the cooking process. It is recommended to brush both sides of the egg rolls for a more uniform crispness.

Spraying:

An alternative approach is to use an oil spray, such as olive oil spray or a non-stick cooking spray, directly on the egg rolls. This method is quicker and helps to control the amount of oil used. However, it may cause the egg roll wrappers to bubble up slightly more during cooking. Spraying the air fryer basket with oil before placing the egg rolls is also recommended to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Dipping:

For a more rustic approach, you can dip the egg rolls in a shallow dish of oil before placing them in the air fryer. This method ensures a generous coating, resulting in a crispier shell. However, it may require more oil and can be messier than brushing or spraying.

Lightly Oiled Surface:

Another technique is to place the assembled egg rolls on a lightly oiled non-stick surface before air frying. This method helps to prevent the egg rolls from sticking and also adds a subtle crispy texture to the exterior.

Freezing Pre-Oiled:

If you plan to freeze your uncooked egg rolls, it is recommended to brush them with olive oil before freezing. This step ensures that the egg rolls will have a crispy exterior once cooked in the air fryer, even after being frozen.

It is important to note that the amount of oil used should be minimal, as air frying requires significantly less oil than traditional deep frying. The oil coating methods described above will help you achieve the desired crispness and golden color without excess grease.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking raw egg rolls in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the model of your air fryer, the size of the egg rolls, and whether you are cooking them straight from frozen or after they have been defrosted.

If you are cooking frozen egg rolls, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). If you are cooking straight from frozen, cook your egg rolls for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you are cooking defrosted egg rolls, you can cook them for 7 to 10 minutes, or until they are cooked to your liking.

If you are using a different model of air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two. For example, if you are using a 5.8-quart Cosori Air Fryer, you should cook your egg rolls at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (199 degrees Celsius) for 8 to 11 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

It is important to ensure that your egg rolls are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket, as this will prevent them from cooking evenly. Cook them in batches if necessary, and keep them warm in an oven at a low temperature (around 200 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, or 93 to 107 degrees Celsius) while you cook the remaining batches.

Filling options

The great thing about egg rolls is that you can fill them with almost anything. If you're looking for a meaty option, you can use ground pork, chicken, or turkey. For a vegetarian option, you can use crumbled extra-firm tofu—just press it dry first.

For a classic Chinese takeout flavor, you can fill your egg rolls with ground pork, ginger, garlic, scallion, carrot, and cabbage. Season the filling with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt, sugar, white pepper, and toasted sesame oil.

If you want to make Southwestern egg rolls, mix corn, beans, spinach, jalapeno Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, green chiles, green onions, salt, cumin, and chili powder for the filling.

You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients. Try using leftover chicken and rice, steak and onions, or even crab. For a healthier option, you can fill your egg rolls with lots of vegetables. Just make sure that you work within the proportions of the original recipe so that your egg rolls hold together.

Storing and reheating

Storing Egg Rolls

To store uncooked egg rolls, wrap them in wax paper or plastic wrap and then freeze them. When you're ready to cook them, let them thaw slightly and then fry them in hot oil. You can also place a damp paper towel on the egg rolls and store them in the fridge, but make sure the paper towel isn't too wet, or the wrapper will get soggy.

If you have cooked egg rolls, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, they will start to lose their crispiness after 1-2 days. Avoid storing cooked egg rolls in the freezer, as they will turn into a soggy mess.

Reheating Egg Rolls

The best way to reheat egg rolls depends on whether they were originally fried or baked and how soft they have become in storage. If your egg rolls have become very soft, it is best to reheat them in an oven or air fryer to restore their crispiness. Place them on a baking sheet sprayed or brushed with cooking oil and put them in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through and crispy.

If your egg rolls have maintained some crispiness, you can reheat them in the microwave on a low setting for one or two minutes, and then put them in the oven or air fryer to crisp up the outside. However, avoid reheating egg rolls in the microwave if you can, as it can make the wrapper soggy and brittle.

Additionally, you can reheat egg rolls in a non-stick skillet over low heat. Heat the skillet for 5-10 minutes and then place your cold egg rolls in a single layer on the skillet until they are warmed through.

Frequently asked questions