Tillie Doyle
Egg rolls are a fried, savoury roll filled with vegetables and protein. They can be cooked in a frying pan, skillet, or wok. The key to making egg rolls is the folding technique. The wrappers should be kept moist, and the filling should be dry to prevent soggy egg rolls. To cook, the frying pan should be heated to a medium-high heat with 2-3 inches of oil, and the egg rolls should be fried for 1-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan-frying method | Heat oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. |
| Oil type | Neutral oils like avocado, grapeseed, peanut, vegetable, or canola oil. |
| Oil temperature | Around 350°F, not below 325°F. |
| Oil level | 2 inches or ¾ inch deep. |
| Frying time | 1-2 minutes or until golden brown all over. |
| Filling | Meat (chicken, beef, pork, shrimp), vegetables (cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, mushrooms), and sauces (soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, fish sauce). |
| Wrapper | Egg roll wrappers, kept moist under a damp towel. |
| Folding technique | Fold in the sides, roll from the bottom, and seal with water. |
| Dipping sauce | Soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or a homemade sauce. |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Frying pan preparation
Firstly, prepare your filling. This can be done in advance, and you can use any leftover meats or fish, such as chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp. A savoury filling can be made with vegetables and protein. For example, you could use a col Slaw mix of green and red cabbage and carrots, or you could use bean sprouts, spinach, basil, and cilantro. You can also add in green onions, garlic, soy sauce, peanut butter, ginger, or vinegar.
Next, prepare your wrappers. You can buy egg roll wrappers from the produce department of most grocery stores. You will need about 12 wrappers for your filling. Keep the wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
Place your wrapper at an angle so it looks like a diamond. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of filling horizontally across the middle of the wrapper. Fold in the left and right sides, and roll up from the bottom, enclosing the filling. Add a little water to the edges of the wrapper to seal it.
Now you are ready to fry your egg rolls. Add 2 teaspoons to 2 inches of oil to your frying pan, and heat to 350°F. You can use a variety of oils, such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Fry the egg rolls in batches, making sure the oil does not get too cold. Fry for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides. You can also add 3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover with a lid to steam the filling for 2-3 minutes.
Serve warm with a dipping sauce. You can use sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or a sauce made from chili sauce, vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and pepper.
How Collisions Can Damage Your Oil Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Filling and rolling technique
Filling and rolling your egg rolls is a simple process, but it can be time-consuming. It's best to have a helper or two to make it easier. First, prepare your filling. For a meat filling, cook your meat and season it. Then, add vegetables and any sauces or seasonings. For a veggie filling, cut your vegetables into thin strips and precook them. Drain any excess liquid—you don't want a wet filling, as it will break your egg roll wrappers and cause oil to pop while frying. You can make your filling the day before and leave it in the fridge to dry out.
Next, lay out your egg roll wrappers. They should be angled like a diamond in front of you. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper. If you are using meat, roll the wrapper tightly and thinly. This will help prevent air bubbles from forming while frying and ensure the egg roll cooks through. Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper, then roll it up from the bottom to enclose the filling. You can use a little water or a beaten egg on the edges of the wrapper to seal it shut.
Once you've filled and rolled your egg rolls, you can store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours until you're ready to fry them. You can also freeze them for later.
Best Pans for Induction Burners: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time and temperature
When pan-frying egg rolls, it is important to ensure that the oil is hot enough before adding the egg rolls to the pan. If the oil is not hot enough, the egg rolls will become saturated and soggy. The ideal frying temperature for egg rolls is between 350°F and 375°F (176°C and 190°C). At this temperature, the egg rolls should fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown.
To achieve this temperature, fill a medium frying pan with about 3/4 inch of oil and heat over medium-high heat. It is important to use an oil with a high smoking point, such as peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the egg rolls to the pan, working in batches if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the pan and lowering the oil temperature. Fry the egg rolls for the recommended time, or until golden brown, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
For a lighter alternative, egg rolls can also be baked in the oven. To do this, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a baking sheet. Place the assembled egg rolls on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Reheating leftover egg rolls is best done in the oven to maintain their crisp texture. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), place the egg rolls on a baking pan, and bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway, if thawed. If frozen, bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping after 9 to 10 minutes.
Copper Pans: Expensive Luxury or Worthwhile Investment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dipping sauces
There are numerous delicious dipping sauces that can be paired with egg rolls. Some popular options include:
- Sweet sauces: Such as plum sauce, duck sauce, sweet chilli sauce, or Japanese kecap manis (sweet soy sauce).
- Savoury sauces: Hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or soy sauce.
- Spicy sauces: Try a spicy fig sauce made with fig jam, sriracha, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and water. Or, add some spice to your soy sauce-based egg roll dipping sauce with red pepper flakes or spicy sesame oil.
- Tangy sauces: For a tangy kick, use rice vinegar in your sauce. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar.
- Creamy sauces: Peanut sauce is a popular choice for a creamy and nutty dip.
Some egg roll dipping sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. For example, a simple sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and sesame oil can be whisked together and stored for later. You can also try a sweet and sour sauce with apricot or peach jam, Japanese pickled plum, applesauce, rice vinegar, and sweetener. This sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen, and doesn't require any cooking.
Panning for Gold: Cherokee County, NC's Best Spots
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and reheating
Storing your egg rolls in the fridge is a good option if you plan on eating them within the next few days. They will stay fresh for 2-4 days, but the earlier you can eat them, the better—the filling won't be as crispy after 1-2 days. To store them, line a well-ventilated container with a paper towel and place the egg rolls on top. You can also use an airtight container but leave the lid slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Do not store the egg rolls with any sauces, as they may absorb the moisture.
You can also freeze egg rolls, but only if they are uncooked. If you want to freeze cooked egg rolls, you will need to fry them again, which can make them soggy. To freeze uncooked egg rolls, assemble them, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To reheat egg rolls, the oven is the best option, as the microwave will make them soggy. Preheat the oven to 350°F, spray a baking pan with cooking spray, and place the egg rolls on the pan. If they are frozen, bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway. If they are thawed, bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway. If you want to re-fry your egg rolls, use a medium-low heat first to cook them through, then turn the heat up high to crisp the wrapper.
The Ultimate Braising Pan: Your Secret Weapon in the Kitchen
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The oil should be heated to around 350°F.
Fry the egg rolls for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides.
You can use a variety of fillings for egg rolls, including chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts.
Popular sauces to serve with egg rolls include soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and sweet and sour sauce.
