Air-Fryer Egg Roll Wrappers: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Egg rolls are a popular appetiser, snack, or side dish, but they can be messy and time-consuming to make, as well as being unhealthy if deep-fried. However, you can make delicious, crispy, crunchy, and healthy egg rolls at home in an air fryer with minimal effort and mess.

You can find egg roll wrappers in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets, usually near the tofu. You can also make your own filling with ingredients like cabbage, carrot, celery, mushrooms, and garlic, or use a store-bought coleslaw mix to save time.

To make the egg rolls, simply fill and roll the wrappers, seal them with water, brush or spray them with oil, and cook in the air fryer for a few minutes, turning them halfway through. You can cook them from fresh or frozen, and they can be reheated in the air fryer or oven.

So, if you're looking for a tasty, healthier treat that's easy to make and doesn't create a mess in your kitchen, egg rolls in the air fryer are a great option!

How to make egg roll filling

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Coleslaw mix
• Ground chicken or pork
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Sriracha
• Green onions

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant.
• Add the coleslaw mix and cook until the cabbage is wilted.
• Add the ground chicken or pork, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha. Stir-fry the meat while breaking it up for 3-4 minutes.
• Once the meat is cooked and there is no liquid left in the pan, stir in the green onions and remove from the stove.

Your egg roll filling is now ready to be wrapped and cooked!

How to assemble the egg rolls

Assembling egg rolls is simple and can be done in a few steps.

Firstly, set up your “wrapping” station. You'll need your cooked filling, a plate, a small dish of water, and a pastry brush. You can also use a beaten egg instead of water to seal the wrappers.

Next, place your wrapper on a plate or cutting board. The wrapper should be shaped like a diamond, with one corner pointing towards you. Place 1/4 cup to 1 tablespoon of filling in the bottom third of the wrapper. Be careful not to overfill the wrapper, as this will make it difficult to roll and seal.

Now, it's time to start rolling! Roll up the bottom corner of the wrapper so that it goes over the filling and reaches the center. Then, fold in the left side of the wrapper, followed by the right side, so that they meet in the middle.

Continue rolling the wrapper away from you until you reach the top corner. Brush some water or beaten egg on the top corner and fold it down to seal the egg roll. Repeat this process until you have used up all your filling and wrappers.

Once your egg rolls are assembled, they are ready to be cooked! You can air fry, bake, or deep fry them, depending on your preference. Enjoy!

How to air fry egg rolls

Ingredients

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

Method

• Sauté: Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant.
• Cook: Pour in the coleslaw mix and cook until the cabbage is wilted.
• Stir-fry: Add the ground chicken, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha. Stir-fry the chicken while breaking it up for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove: Once the chicken is cooked and there is no liquid left in the pan, stir in the green onions 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 (the part closest to you) and wrap that corner over the filling. Turn both sides over the wrapper 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 used.
• 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 olive oil spray. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Then flip the egg rolls and cook for an additional 6 minutes.

Tips

• Seal it: Make sure you seal up your egg rolls so the filling doesn’t spill out. Use either water or egg wash to dampen the edges so they stick together.
• Don’t Overcrowd: For the air fryer to cook your egg rolls optimally, make sure there is space between them. This way, the air can circulate around the egg rolls, cooking them evenly. Cook them in batches if needed and keep them warm in a 200-degree oven on a cookie sheet.
• Flip and Spray: When you flip your egg rolls halfway through, you can spray the other side with olive oil if you think it needs it.
• Keep them Damp: To prevent your egg roll wrappers from drying out, cover the ones you are not using with a damp paper towel. This will keep them pliable and fresh.

How to store and freeze egg rolls

Egg rolls are a delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even a main course. If you're making a large batch, you may want to store or freeze them for later. Here's a detailed guide on how to properly store and freeze your egg rolls:

Storing Leftovers:

It is best to allow the egg rolls to cool down before storing them. You can then cover and keep them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Reheating Leftovers:

To reheat and retain the crispiness of your egg rolls, you can use an air fryer. Reheat them at 370°F for about 2 minutes.

Freezing Uncooked Egg Rolls:

If you want to freeze uncooked egg rolls, start by placing them on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are not touching each other and leave some space between them. You can optionally brush them with olive oil before freezing, but this may cause the wrappers to bubble during cooking. Place the tray in the freezer for about 1-2 hours or until the egg rolls are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen egg rolls to a freezer bag or container. When you're ready to cook them, there's no need to thaw them. Simply brush them with olive oil and air fry at 360°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they're heated through.

Freezing Cooked Egg Rolls:

For cooked egg rolls, it is essential to let them cool down completely before freezing. Once cooled, wrap each egg roll tightly in cling film or plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag or container. When you're ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in the oven or fry them without thawing. If you choose to refry them, use medium-low heat first and then increase the heat to high to get that crispy texture and golden color.

What to serve with egg rolls

Egg rolls are a delicious snack, but what can you serve with them to make a full meal? Here are some ideas for side dishes and sauces that will complement your egg rolls and impress your guests:

Side Dishes

• Sweet and Sour Chicken: This Chinese takeout classic combines sweet and sour flavours with a crispy, garlicky delight. It's a high-protein meal that ticks all the boxes and pairs perfectly with egg rolls.
• Fried Rice: A proper fried rice dish is always a winner, and it goes hand-in-hand with egg rolls. Try a vegetarian version with peas, carrots, onions, garlic, and eggs, fried in sesame oil and seasoned with cilantro and soy sauce.
• Lo Mein: Lo mein is a classic Chinese dish, but it can feel like something's missing. Enter egg rolls! The crispy, savoury goodness of egg rolls is the perfect complement to lo mein's soft, saucy noodles.
• Kung Pao Shrimp: A less well-known but equally delicious dish, Kung Pao shrimp is a must-try for your next dinner party. The shrimp and egg roll combo provides a delightful contrast of textures that will have your guests asking for more.
• Hot and Sour Soup: This traditional Chinese soup is ideal for chilly winter nights. It can be made with a vegetable or chicken broth base, and you can add tofu or beef for protein. The key component is the fine ribbons of egg that float throughout—perfect for dipping your egg rolls!
• Chow Mein: A quick and easy dish that can be made with any type of protein, chow mein is a crowd-pleaser. Marinate the chicken in advance for extra flavour, and don't worry about the carbs—egg rolls contain vermicelli noodles, so they're a perfect match!
• Vegetable Stir Fry: This super-nutritious dish is a snap to make. Just slice up your favourite veggies, throw them in a hot pan with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds, and cook until tender-crisp. It's a fresh and healthy counterpart to greasy egg rolls.
• Sushi: Sushi and egg rolls are a match made in heaven. They're both served by the piece, so your guests can help themselves. And the contrast of hot and cold, greasy and fresh, crispy and soft makes for a delightful dining experience.
• Kake Udon: This simple Japanese soup will warm you up on cold winter days. It's made with dashi broth, udon noodles, wakame seaweed, white onions, and vegetables, and it's even better with crunchy egg rolls on the side!
• Asian Slaw: This crunchy salad is the perfect counterpart to greasy egg rolls. It's naturally healthy and vegan, and it's a great way to add some raw veggies to your meal.
• Garlic Green Beans: A delicious and wholesome side dish, garlic green beans are a hit with both kids and adults. The secret to their excellent flavour is peanut oil, which gives the beans an irresistible nutty taste.
• Cucumber Yogurt Salad: This Lebanese classic is a refreshing palate cleanser after greasy egg rolls. It's healthy, simple to make, and full of flavour, with garlic, dried mint, cucumber, red onion, and whole milk yogurt.
• Thai Noodle Salad: A festival of colours and flavours, this salad features tropical fruit, shredded vegetables, rice noodles, and crushed peanuts. It's a chewy, crunchy delight that begs to be served with egg rolls!

Sauces

• Sweet and Sour Sauce: This classic Chinese sauce is tangy and fruity, with a burst of authentic flavour. It's quick and easy to make, and you can adjust the tanginess and spice to your taste.
• Soy Sauce: The salty-umami taste of soy sauce is a perfect complement to egg rolls. It's quick and easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
• Hoisin Sauce: This thick, fragrant sauce is a favourite in China. It has a savory-sweet flavour and can be used as a marinade, stir-fry sauce, or sandwich spread. It adds a rich quality to greasy egg rolls.
• Lebanese Toum Sauce: This garlic sauce is similar to aioli and is made from oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. It's an exciting and delicious dipping sauce, but it doesn't balance the greasiness of egg rolls.
• Teriyaki Sauce: This Japanese sauce is sharp, salty, and pleasantly sweet. It's a common dipping sauce for fried snacks and goes perfectly with egg rolls, as its acidity cuts through the grease.
• Plum Sauce: This sweet and sour sauce is subtler than plum jam, with a mild fruity taste. It's sticky and perfect for dipping, and it adds a sweet hit to every bite of your egg roll.
• Hot Chinese Mustard: This sinus-clearing mustard has a kick of horseradish and is the perfect way to add some spice to your egg rolls. It's versatile, too—you can adjust the spice level and even add honey or coconut crystals for a sweeter taste.
• Ranch Dressing: A tasty American twist on egg rolls, creamy ranch dressing is addictive with the crunchy egg roll wrapper. It's a surprising combo that really hits the spot!
• Orange Sauce: This sweet and sour orange-flavoured sauce is a subtle complement to egg rolls. It's quick and easy to make and has a sticky texture that's perfect for dipping.
• Chili Garlic Sauce: This sauce adds a fiery kick to your egg rolls! It's packed with pungent garlic and vinegar to cut through the rich fried exterior. It's a Filipino-Chinese blend that's uniquely aromatic and perfect for egg rolls.
• Peanut Sauce: This nutty, mildly spicy sauce is a quick and easy way to add some extra flavour to your egg rolls. It's made with peanut butter, soy sauce, sweetener, rice vinegar, lime juice, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic.
• Ponzu Sauce: This Japanese sauce has a perfect balance

Frequently asked questions