Air Fryer Rice Paper: Cooking Possibilities Explored

Rice paper rolls are a delicious and crispy treat that can be made in an air fryer. They are a great healthier alternative to deep-fried rolls, as the air fryer uses hot air to cook the food without the need for excess oil. The rice paper gets extra crispy and crunchy after just 10-15 minutes in the air fryer, and the filling stays moist and delicious. You can experiment with different fillings, such as vegetables, tofu, meat, or seafood, to create your own unique combination of textures and flavours. The key to success is to ensure that the rice paper is not overcrowded in the air fryer and to avoid overfilling the rolls, as this can cause them to tear. So, can you cook rice paper in an air fryer? Absolutely!

How to prevent rice paper from tearing

Yes, you can cook rice paper in an air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent rice paper from tearing:

Keep the Work Surface Damp

Ensure that every surface that comes into contact with the rice paper is slightly damp to prevent sticking. You can also lightly grease the plate or tray that holds your uncooked rolls with cooking spray beforehand.

Do Not Over-Soak the Rice Paper

Rice paper will continue to soften once you place it on a board and start working with it. If the rice paper is still slightly crunchy, it could break more easily during the rolling process. Wrappers that are too soft and sticky are hard to work with.

Avoid Overcrowding

Ensure that the rice paper rolls do not touch each other while cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook your rolls in batches instead.

Avoid Overstuffing the Rolls

The filling should only cover 1/3 of the wrapper at most. This will prevent the rice paper from tearing and make it easier to roll.

Layer Two Sheets

If you are new to wrapping rice paper rolls, or if the brand of rice paper you purchased is particularly delicate, layer two sheets of rice paper. The rolls might turn out a bit chewy, but it is hardly noticeable.

Choose the Right Filling

Opt for fillings that are not too hard or sharp to prevent tearing the wrappers. Soft and malleable fillings like cooked noodles, soft vegetables, and tender meats work best. If your filling contains too much liquid, be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible before wrapping, as this can also cause the rice paper to tear.

The best fillings for rice paper rolls

Yes, you can cook rice paper in an air fryer. The rice paper gets crispy and crunchy after 10-15 minutes in the air fryer, while the filling gets cooked and stays moist.

Rice paper rolls are a perfect healthy snack or meal. They are best enjoyed fresh and crispy, but you can also refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days. The filling can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 4 days.

• Keep the work surface damp to prevent the rice paper from sticking and tearing.
• Do not oversoak the rice paper. It should soften slightly but still maintain its shape after soaking.
• Avoid overstuffing the rolls. The filling should only cover 1/3 of the wrapper at most.
• Layering 2 sheets of rice paper can make it easier to handle, but the ends may turn out a bit chewy.
• The filling should not contain too much liquid, as this can make the rice paper soggy or break.
• Avoid overcooking vegetables, as they will release water and make the filling soggy.

Now, for the best fillings for your rice paper rolls:

• Vermicelli noodles (thin rice noodles)
• Julienned vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, mung bean sprouts, capsicum, cabbage, and other seasonal vegetables
• Fresh herbs like mint, coriander/cilantro, Thai basil, chives, lemongrass, ginger, and basil
• Chicken, beef, pork, or prawns
• Tofu, either marinated or stir-fried and crumbled
• Soy curl crumbles

How to store rice paper rolls

Yes, you can cook rice paper in an air fryer. The rice paper will get crispy and crunchy after 10 minutes in the air fryer. However, it is recommended to eat them fresh as they tend to get soggy and lose their crunch when stored.

Rice paper is sticky and can get stale very fast. Here are some ways to store rice paper rolls:

• Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. This is said to be the best way to keep them fresh and ready to be air-fried.
• Use a damp paper towel or tea towel to cover the rolls, then wrap them in plastic. The damp cloth will prevent the rolls from drying out and becoming brittle.
• Place the rolls on a piece of butter lettuce, then wrap the container in plastic. The lettuce will prevent the rolls from sticking to the container or to each other.
• Use a damp cloth to line a container, then place the rolls in the container and cover them with another damp cloth. Refresh the cloth with cool water every hour as needed.
• Brush the rolls with oil, then wrap them in plastic. The oil will prevent the rice paper from drying out and becoming brittle.

It is important to note that rice paper rolls should not be frozen as they may tear after freezing and thawing. The filling will also release water, yielding soggy rolls.

How to reheat rice paper rolls

To reheat rice paper rolls, you can use an air fryer. This will make them crispy again, which may not be the case if you reheat them in an oven.

First, ensure your leftover rice paper rolls are stored in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than 2-3 days.

When you are ready to reheat them, place the rice paper rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space in between each roll so that they do not touch. Reheat at 200C/390-400F for 4-5 minutes.

You can also reheat rice paper rolls by pan-frying them in a non-stick pan until they are hot and crispy.

If you are making rice paper rolls from scratch and want to cook them in an air fryer, follow the steps below.

Soften the rice paper wrappers by dipping and rotating them in lukewarm water several times until they start to soften. They will continue to soften once you start to work with them. Place the softened wrappers on a damp surface to prevent them from sticking.

Add your desired filling to the middle of the rice paper wrapper. The filling should not be too wet, as this can make the rolls soggy and cause the rice paper to tear. You can squeeze out any excess liquid or pat dry with a paper towel.

Once you have added your filling, fold the wrapper from each side, then roll it up from the bottom. Do not roll them too tight, as this can make the rice paper tough and harder to eat.

Add a little oil to your fingers and spread it around the rice paper roll to coat. You can also brush the rolls with an egg wash.

Place the rolls in the air fryer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Cook at 370-400F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

You can serve the rice paper rolls with a dipping sauce such as chilli garlic sauce, honey garlic sauce, or Asian peanut sauce.

How to prevent rice paper rolls from sticking to the air fryer

Yes, you can cook rice paper in an air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent rice paper rolls from sticking to the air fryer:

Use parchment paper

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place the rice paper rolls on the parchment paper in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or touch each other. You can remove the parchment paper halfway through the cooking process to achieve a crispier texture.

Grease the rolls and surfaces

Before placing the uncooked rice paper rolls in the air fryer, spray or brush them with oil. You can also use an egg wash. Additionally, keep the work surfaces damp or greased to prevent the rice paper from sticking to them. If you use a plate or tray to hold the uncooked rolls, lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil beforehand.

Avoid overcrowding

Ensure that the rice paper rolls do not touch each other while cooking. If your air fryer is small, cook the rolls in batches. Leave some space between each roll when placing them on the parchment paper or greased surface in the air fryer.

Control the moisture of the rice paper

Do not oversoak the rice paper in water. It should soften slightly but still maintain its shape. Wrappers that are too soft become sticky and difficult to work with. Use cold water to soften the rice paper gradually, as hot water may cause it to become sticky too quickly.

Avoid overstuffing

The filling should only cover about one-third of the wrapper at most. This will help prevent tearing and sticking by reducing the pressure on the rice paper.

Layer multiple sheets

If you are new to wrapping rice paper rolls or if the brand of rice paper you are using is delicate, consider layering two sheets of rice paper. This adds strength and reduces the chances of tearing and sticking.

Frequently asked questions