Air-Fried Wontons And Egg Rolls: A Healthy Frying Option?

Wontons and egg rolls are delicious, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Fortunately, you can use an air fryer to make equally tasty wontons and egg rolls with less oil and less cleanup.

To make egg rolls in an air fryer, first prepare the filling. This typically includes vegetables like cabbage, carrot, and garlic, as well as meat such as chicken, pork, or beef. You can also add sauces like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil for extra flavour. Once the filling is ready, assemble the egg rolls by placing a spoonful of filling on an egg roll wrapper and folding it closed. Then, brush or spray the egg rolls with oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at around 400°F for about 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Similarly, to make wontons in an air fryer, start by mixing the filling, which often includes shrimp, pork, garlic, ginger, and green onions. Next, place a spoonful of filling on a wonton wrapper, fold it into a triangle and seal the edges with water. Brush or spray the wontons with oil and place them in the air fryer. Cook at about 370°F for 9-10 minutes, flipping them partway through.

Both wontons and egg rolls can be served as appetizers or main dishes. They are typically served with dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or hoisin sauce.

How to fold wontons or egg rolls

How to Fold Wontons

There are several ways to fold wontons, and the method you choose will depend on the thickness of the wrapper, the amount of filling used, and your cooking method. Here are three of the most common methods:

The Bonnet

This is the most common method and is perfect for wontons using regular white wrappers that will be boiled and mixed into soup or sauce.

• Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dampen the edges with water.
• Place 1-2 teaspoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper.
• Fold the wrapper in half to form a rectangle.
• Dab one corner of the bottom of the rectangle (the filling side, not the seam) with water.
• Bring the two corners together and squeeze to seal.

The Diamond

This method is similar to the bonnet, but instead of forming a rectangle, you fold the wrapper diagonally to create a triangle. This results in a slightly less compact wonton with pointed ends, making it ideal for fried wontons.

• Take a square wonton wrapper and dampen the edges with water.
• Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle and fold along the diagonal to create a triangle.
• Dab one of the corners of the triangle (the filling side) with water.
• Bring the two corners together and seal.

The Scrunch

This method is used for small wontons with very thin wrappers and a small amount of filling.

• Place a small amount of filling on the wrapper.
• Make a loose fist and push the wrapper and filling into your fist.
• Gently squeeze to seal.

How to Fold Egg Rolls

Step 1: Lay Out the Egg Roll Wrapper

Place the egg roll wrapper so that it forms a diamond shape in front of you. The corner closest to you will be corner 1, the corner to your left is corner 2, the corner to your right is corner 3, and the furthest corner is corner 4.

Step 2: Add the Filling

Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling in the middle of the wrapper, just below the line between corners 2 and 3. Use your finger or a small brush to spread some of the egg mixture along the edges from corners 2 to 1, and from 1 to 3.

Step 3: Fold Over Corner 4

Fold the corner closest to you (corner 1) over towards the furthest corner (corner 4).

Step 4: Tighten the Mixture

Use a rolling back action to firm up the mixture.

Step 5: Fold Over Side Corners

Fold over the left and right corners (corners 2 and 3), ensuring that the egg mixture seals both corners.

Step 6: Start Rolling the Egg Roll

Roll the egg roll towards the top corner (corner 1).

Step 7: Continue Rolling

Continue rolling until the edges seal.

Step 8: Touch Up the Edges

Use a little more of the egg mixture if needed to ensure the edges are sealed.

Step 9: Prepare for Frying

Place the egg rolls on a large plate or platter until you are ready to fry them. If you are making a large batch, roll them in cornstarch to prevent sticking.

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time will depend on the type of wonton or egg roll you are making.

Wontons

Air fryer wontons are usually cooked at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. The cooking time varies between 6 to 10 minutes. For example, one recipe for crab wontons recommends cooking at 350°F for 6 minutes. Another recipe for cream cheese wontons suggests cooking at 370°F for 8 minutes, and adding an extra 2 minutes if needed.

Egg Rolls

Air fryer egg rolls are usually cooked at temperatures between 360°F and 400°F. The cooking time varies between 6 to 12 minutes. For example, one recipe for chicken egg rolls recommends cooking at 400°F for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Another recipe suggests cooking at 360°F for 4 minutes.

Tips for Optimal Cooking

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Flip and spray the other side of the food with oil halfway through the cooking time.
• Keep an eye on your food to ensure it doesn't burn.
• To get the crispiest results, don't overfill the air fryer basket.
• For frozen wontons, cook at 380°F for 8 minutes.

How to keep wontons or egg rolls crispy

Wontons and egg rolls are delicious treats, but they can lose their satisfying crispiness if not prepared or stored correctly. Here are some tips to ensure your wontons or egg rolls stay nice and crispy:

During Preparation:

• Use an air fryer: Air fryers are a great way to cook wontons or egg rolls while maintaining crispiness. Set your air fryer to around 370-400°F and cook for about 7-12 minutes, depending on the recipe.
• Seal the wrappers: Make sure to seal the edges of your wonton or egg roll wrappers tightly. You can use either water or a beaten egg to dampen the edges so they stick together.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: For even cooking and maximum crispiness, make sure there is space between each wonton or egg roll in the air fryer. Cook them in batches if necessary.
• Spray with oil: Lightly spritz your wontons or egg rolls with oil before placing them in the air fryer. You can also spray the other side halfway through cooking if needed.

When Reheating:

• Use an air fryer: If your wontons or egg rolls have lost their crispiness after being stored, reheat them in the air fryer. Add a spritz of oil if necessary.
• Reheat in an oven: If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat your wontons or egg rolls in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F and place the wontons or egg rolls on a baking sheet. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping them a few times during cooking.

When Storing:

• Store in a sealable bag or container: To prevent your wontons or egg rolls from drying out, store them in a sealable bag or airtight container.
• Freeze for longer storage: If you want to store your wontons or egg rolls for more than a few days, freeze them. Place them on a tray, leaving space between each one, and freeze for about an hour before transferring to a container or bag. Make sure to seal the bag or container tightly to prevent drying.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your wontons or egg rolls stay nice and crispy, whether you're preparing, storing, or reheating them!

Filling options for wontons or egg rolls

Wontons and egg rolls are incredibly versatile, and you can fill them with a variety of ingredients. Here are some ideas for delicious fillings to get you started:

Wonton Filling Options:

• Cream cheese, chives, and green onions. You can also add crushed pineapples to make it sweet.
• Pork and shrimp/prawns are a common combination.
• Mushrooms, water chestnuts, Asian greens, and carrots can also be added.
• Ground beef can be used instead of pork.
• Chicken and chives.

Egg Roll Filling Options:

• Ground pork, shredded cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
• Ground chicken can be used instead of pork.
• Oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sriracha can be added for extra flavour.
• A pre-shredded coleslaw mix can be used to save time.
• Scrambled eggs can be added to the filling.
• Cilantro can be added for extra flavour.

How to store and reheat wontons or egg rolls

How to Store and Reheat Wontons

If you have leftover wontons, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. To prevent condensation buildup, allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in the container. You can also place a paper towel in the container to absorb any moisture.

To freeze wontons, first, let them cool to room temperature, then spread them out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for two to three hours. Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-lock freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. They can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

When it comes to reheating, the oven and air fryer methods produce the best results.

To reheat wontons in the oven, preheat to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray the wontons with oil and arrange them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Heat for five to ten minutes, until warm and crispy.

For the air fryer method, set the temperature to 350°F (180°C). Optionally spray the wontons with oil and place them in the fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Heat for three to four minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Other reheating methods include using a stovetop, microwave, or deep fryer, but these may result in greasier or soggier wontons.

How to Store and Reheat Egg Rolls

If you have leftover egg rolls, you can store them in the fridge for three to four days. Allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container.

To freeze egg rolls, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour to flash freeze, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

When it comes to reheating egg rolls, the air fryer and oven methods are recommended for optimal crispness.

To reheat egg rolls in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and place the egg rolls inside, leaving space between them for air circulation. Heat for one to two minutes, then flip and cook for another two minutes or until warmed through.

For the oven method, preheat to 350°F (180°C) and place the egg rolls on a foil-covered baking sheet. Heat for a total of five minutes, flipping halfway through. Check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F. If not, return them to the oven for a few more minutes.

Other reheating options include using a microwave, stovetop, or deep fryer, but these may result in soggier or greasier egg rolls.

Frequently asked questions