Frying Egg Rolls: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying egg rolls. They are healthier, easier to clean, and take less time. The air fryer's convection technology creates a crispy exterior without drying out the inside. The process is simple: fill and roll your egg roll wrappers, brush them with oil, and place them in the air fryer for 10–12 minutes. You can fill your egg rolls with anything from pork and veggies to ground chicken, or even make them vegetarian.

How to make egg roll filling

Egg rolls are a fried appetizer commonly found on Chinese-American restaurant menus. They are usually filled with a combination of shredded cabbage, pork, and other ingredients like carrots, garlic, and ginger. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious egg roll filling:

Ingredients:

• Ground pork or chicken
• Shredded cabbage
• Shredded carrots
• Green onions or scallions
• Minced garlic
• Minced ginger
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Salt and pepper
• Other vegetables or proteins of your choice (optional)

Instructions:

• Cook the Protein: Start by cooking your chosen protein. Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork or chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
• Add Aromatics: Once the protein is cooked, add the garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook for about 30 seconds to a minute, stirring frequently.
• Wilt the Vegetables: Next, add the shredded cabbage and carrots to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are wilted and softened. This should take around 3-4 minutes. You can also add other vegetables like celery or mushrooms at this stage.
• Season and Combine: Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil to taste. Combine all the ingredients well and remove the filling from the heat.
• Taste and Adjust: Before filling the egg roll wrappers, taste the filling and adjust the seasoning as needed. The filling should be well-seasoned and taste good on its own.
• Cool the Filling: It's important to let the filling cool down before wrapping the egg rolls. You can make the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the egg rolls.

Now that you have your delicious egg roll filling ready, you can move on to assembling and cooking the egg rolls. Enjoy!

How to assemble the egg rolls

To assemble the egg rolls, start by placing an egg roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface. The wrapper should be positioned with one corner pointing down towards you, like a diamond.

Next, add the filling. For this, you can use a variety of ingredients, such as cooked ground pork or chicken, shredded cabbage, carrots, and various seasonings. Place about 1/4 cup of filling in the middle of the wrapper, shaping it like a torpedo.

Now, it's time to start rolling! Lift the bottom corner of the wrapper and gently fold it towards the centre, covering the filling. Repeat this process with the left and right corners, folding them towards the middle as well. Your wrapper should now resemble a delicious envelope.

Starting from the bottom, roll the egg roll up until just the top corner of the wrapper is still exposed. To seal the deal, brush some water on the remaining corner and fold it down, securing the egg roll shut. You may need to add a little extra water to the edges to ensure a tight seal.

Repeat these steps until you have used up all your filling and wrappers. Remember to keep the unused wrappers covered with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.

How to air fry egg rolls

Ingredients

You can fill your egg rolls with whatever you like, but a traditional Chinese-American filling includes carrots, celery, cabbage, and crispy pork. Other options include chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables like edamame, snow peas, shredded carrots, or water chestnuts.

For a chicken filling, you will need:

• Vegetable oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Coleslaw mix
• Ground chicken
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Sriracha
• Green onions
• Egg roll wrappers
• Olive oil spray

For a pork filling, you will need:

• Olive oil
• Ground pork or chicken
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Carrot
• Scallions
• Cabbage
• Soy sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Egg roll wrappers

Method

• Sauté: Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry your filling ingredients until fragrant.
• Cook: Pour in the coleslaw mix (or shredded cabbage and carrots) and cook until the cabbage is wilted.
• Stir-fry: Add your meat, sauces, and spices. Stir-fry the meat, breaking it up for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove: Once the meat is cooked and there is no liquid left in the pan, stir in the green onions or scallions and remove from the stove.
• Wrap: Place the egg roll wrapper so that one corner is towards you. Place a tablespoon of filling in the bottom half (towards you) and wrap that corner over the filling. Turn both sides inwards and then continue rolling away from you (like a burrito) until you reach the end. Seal the edges with some water or a beaten egg. Repeat until all the wrappers are made.
• Air fry: Spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil spray. Place the egg rolls in the basket and lightly spray the tops with oil. Cook at 350-400°F for 6 minutes. Then flip the egg rolls and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes.

Tips

• Seal it: Make sure you seal your egg rolls so the filling doesn’t spill out. Use either water or an egg wash to dampen the edges so they stick together.
• Don’t overcrowd: For the air fryer to cook your egg rolls evenly, make sure there is space between them. Cook them in batches if you need to and keep them warm in an oven.
• Keep them damp: Prevent your egg roll wrappers from drying out by covering the ones you are not using with a damp paper towel.

Why air fry egg rolls

There are several reasons why you should consider air-frying egg rolls. Here are some of the key benefits:

Health Benefits

Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires little to no oil. This means that your egg rolls will absorb significantly less oil, reducing the amount of grease and fat in your food.

Time-Saving

Air-frying egg rolls is also a faster method compared to traditional deep-frying. It takes just a few minutes to preheat the air fryer, and the cleanup process is much simpler, as you don't have to deal with large amounts of hot oil.

Convenience

The air fryer's self-contained design means you don't have to worry about the mess and splatter associated with deep-frying. You can also multitask while air-frying, as you don't need to constantly monitor the egg rolls.

Taste and Texture

Despite using less oil, air-fried egg rolls still deliver on taste and texture. You can achieve a crispy, crunchy exterior without sacrificing the tender, perfectly cooked filling.

Customization

Air-frying allows you to customize your egg rolls to your liking. You can experiment with different fillings, such as meat, vegetables, or tofu, and adjust the spices and sauces to suit your taste preferences.

Versatility

In addition to egg rolls, air fryers can be used for a variety of dishes, including chicken wings, shrimp, mozzarella sticks, and even desserts. It's a versatile appliance that can expand your culinary options.

By air-frying egg rolls, you can enjoy the convenience of a quick, easy, and healthier cooking method without compromising on taste and texture. It's a great way to indulge in your favorite crispy treats while also exploring new flavors and fillings.

How to store and reheat egg rolls

Storing Egg Rolls

Let your egg rolls cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. Line the container with a paper towel, place the egg rolls inside, and cover them with another paper towel before sealing. Consume within 3 to 4 days.

You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To do this, first, let the egg rolls cool to room temperature, and pat them down with a paper towel to remove excess grease. Then, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. After that, transfer the egg rolls to a freezer bag or container.

Reheating Egg Rolls

There are several ways to reheat egg rolls, each with its pros and cons:

• Air fryer: This is a quick method that retains the crunchiness of the egg rolls without making them too greasy. Set the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and arrange the egg rolls in a single layer. Heat them for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn golden.
• Oven or toaster oven: This method might be slower, but it keeps the outer crust crisp without turning the inside to mush. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the egg rolls on a wire rack or a preheated baking tray. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway. For extra crispiness, turn on the broiler for the last minute.
• Microwave: Microwaving will get the egg rolls hot, but they will likely lose their crisp texture. To reduce sogginess, wrap the egg rolls in a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, and use a trivet if possible. Reheat on high for 30 seconds, flip, and heat for another 15 to 30 seconds.
• Skillet or deep fryer: This method requires additional oil and constant monitoring to avoid burning the egg rolls. Heat oil in a pan or pot to 350°F (180°C). Place the egg rolls in the pan or pot and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, flipping continuously, until they reach your desired crispness.

Frequently asked questions