Air-Fried Lumpia: A Quick, Crunchy Delight

Lumpia is a Filipino version of spring rolls, typically filled with ground chicken or pork, vegetables, and sauces. They are a staple at Filipino family gatherings and celebrations. While traditionally deep-fried, cooking lumpia in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that yields the same crispiness without the grease. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious lumpia in an air fryer.

How to Make Lumpia in an Air Fryer

Filling options: beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables

Lumpia is a popular Filipino dish, similar to a spring roll or egg roll. The filling can be made with ground beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables. Here are some detailed instructions on how to make lumpia with different fillings using an air fryer:

Beef Lumpia

For the beef filling, you will need ground beef, onion, zucchini, chayote, carrot, cabbage, sesame oil, soy sauce, and fish sauce. First, cook the ground beef in a large skillet until it changes color, then set it aside. In the same skillet, saute the onion until transparent. Next, add the chayote and zucchini and cook until wilted, then add the cabbage and carrots. Season with soy sauce and fish sauce to taste. Finally, add the cooked ground beef and let the mixture cool. When ready to wrap, drain any excess fluid.

To prepare the lumpia for cooking, brush all sides of the uncooked lumpia with oil. Place them in the air fryer basket and put the broiling tray in place. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Chicken Lumpia

For the chicken filling, you can follow a similar process as for the beef lumpia. Start by cooking the ground chicken in a large skillet until it changes color, then set it aside. Saute the onion until transparent, add the chayote and zucchini and cook until wilted, then add the cabbage and carrots. Season with soy sauce and fish sauce. Finally, add the cooked ground chicken and let the mixture cool. Remember to drain any excess fluid before wrapping.

To cook in the air fryer, brush the uncooked lumpia with oil, place them in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Pork Lumpia

For the pork filling, you will need ground pork, garlic, ginger, onion, carrot, cabbage, water chestnuts, scallions, black pepper, garlic powder, light soy sauce, and sesame oil. Start by cooking the pork in a skillet, breaking it into tiny crumbles, until no pink remains. Drain any grease, then add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant. Stir in the onion, carrots, cabbage, water chestnuts, and scallions. Saute until the vegetables are tender, then season with black pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Let the mixture cool before assembling the lumpia.

To assemble the lumpia, place a wrapper on a clean surface with one corner towards you. Spoon 2-2.5 tablespoons of filling about 1.5 inches from the bottom point, shaping it into a 4-5 inch long strip. Fold the bottom point over the filling, then fold in the edges and continue rolling towards the top point, leaving about 2 inches of wrapper at the end. Moisten the remaining wrapper with water and finish rolling.

To cook in the air fryer, heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry 4 lumpia at a time, starting with the seam side down, for 1-2 minutes on each side. Serve immediately with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Vegetable Lumpia

For a vegetarian option, you can fill your lumpia with a variety of vegetables. Common ingredients include cabbage, carrots, green onions, cilantro, garlic, and onion. You can also add other vegetables such as water chestnuts, zucchini, or chayote.

To make the filling, cook the vegetables in a skillet until tender. Season with black pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and sesame oil, if desired. Let the mixture cool before assembling the lumpia.

Follow the same instructions as above for assembling and cooking the lumpia in the air fryer. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Wrapper options: Menlo, Wei-Chuan, or homemade

There are several options for lumpia wrappers. You can buy pre-made wrappers, such as the Menlo or Wei-Chuan brands, or you can make your own at home. Here is a closer look at each option:

Menlo Lumpia Wrappers

Menlo All-Purpose Spring Roll Lumpia Wrappers are available in packs of 16 ounces, with two packs per order. They are described as light and crunchy, delivering consistent quality. However, some reviews mention issues with mould, dryness, and difficulty separating the wrappers. These wrappers are also considered expensive, especially when compared to buying from local Asian markets.

Wei-Chuan Lumpia Wrappers

Wei-Chuan Spring Roll Pastry Lumpia Wrappers come in packs of 11 ounces, with 25 sheets per pack and two packs per order. Reviews for these wrappers are generally positive, with customers praising their durability and thinness. However, there have been concerns about the product arriving warm or moulded, indicating potential issues with shipping and storage.

Homemade Lumpia Wrappers

Making your own lumpia wrappers at home is also an option. This method requires only three ingredients: flour, water, and salt. The process involves mixing the ingredients, straining the batter, and then using a brush to spread it thinly and evenly on a non-stick pan. The fire should be kept low at first and then turned up slightly to cook the wrapper. This method is a simplified version of the traditional way, which involves more complex techniques and time-consuming fermentation. The benefit of making your own wrappers is that you can ensure freshness and control the thickness to your preference.

How to roll lumpia

Lumpia is a popular Filipino dish that is typically fried, but can also be cooked in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to roll lumpia:

• Place the wrapper on a flat surface: Before you begin rolling, it is important to separate each sheet of the wrapper carefully, as they tend to be thin and delicate. Place one sheet on a flat, clean surface.
• Positioning the wrapper: Place the wrapper with one corner pointing towards you, forming a diamond shape. Alternatively, you can lay the wrapper at an angle.
• Adding the filling: Place about 2 tablespoons of your chosen filling (ground meat, vegetables, and seasonings) in a line across the center of the wrapper. Make sure the filling is not too thick, ideally no thicker than your thumb.
• Folding the wrapper: Start by folding the bottom corner of the wrapper over the filling. Then, tuck in the sides and begin to roll it up tightly. You can use your finger to lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water to help seal it.
• Sealing the lumpia: Continue rolling the wrapper until you reach the top. You can seal the lumpia by brushing the top edge with a light layer of water or egg wash.
• Preparing for cooking: Brush all sides of the uncooked lumpia with oil before placing them in the air fryer basket.
• Cooking: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 390-400°F (198-200°C). Place the lumpia rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cook in batches if needed. Fry for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy.

By following these steps, you will be able to roll and cook delicious lumpia in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy and tasty treat without the need for deep-frying.

Air fryer settings and timings

Lumpia is a Filipino version of spring rolls, typically filled with ground chicken or pork, carrots, onions, cabbage, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. They are a popular dish at Filipino gatherings and celebrations.

Air-fried lumpia is a healthier alternative to deep-fried lumpia, and it's also less messy and time-consuming. Here are the steps to achieve the perfect lumpia using an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Most recipes recommend 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can go for a lower temperature and increase the cooking time if you prefer.
• Prepare the lumpia filling by cooking the meat and vegetables in a skillet. You can use ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey for the filling. Saute the meat until it changes color, then set it aside. Next, cook the vegetables until they are soft. Combine the meat and vegetables in a bowl and allow the mixture to cool.
• Place a lumpia wrapper on a flat surface. Place about 2-4 tablespoons of filling onto the wrapper, depending on its size.
• Fold the wrapper: start by folding the bottom corner over the filling, then tuck in the sides and roll it up. Use a couple of drops of water to seal the wrapper. Repeat this process until all the filling has been used.
• Brush the uncooked lumpia with oil. This will help to ensure that the lumpia gets crispy in the air fryer.
• Place the lumpia in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the lumpia for about 20 minutes. Some recipes suggest flipping the lumpia halfway through the cooking time, while others recommend cooking for a few minutes on each side.
• Check the lumpia and ensure they are golden brown and crispy. If they need a little longer, put them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
• Serve the lumpia immediately. They tend to become rigid and stiff if left to cool, so it's best to eat them fresh.

Note: If you are cooking frozen lumpia, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

Dipping sauces: sweet and sour, soy sauce with hot chilli oil, or sweet chilli sauce

Lumpia is a delicious snack, and you can make it in an air fryer for a healthier treat. But what about the dipping sauces? Here are three mouth-watering options to try: sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce with hot chilli oil, and sweet chilli sauce. Each of these sauces will add a burst of flavour to your lumpia and enhance your snacking experience.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This traditional condiment is commonly used in Asian cuisines and combines sweet and sour flavours. It is incredibly versatile and can be used as a dipping sauce, a glaze, or as an ingredient in marinades. To make your own sweet and sour sauce at home, simply combine sugar, water, vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and ketchup in a medium saucepan. Boil the ingredients, stirring continuously, until the mixture has thickened. That's it! You'll have a restaurant-worthy sauce that's perfect for lumpia, meatballs, tempura, or even rice.

Soy Sauce with Hot Chilli Oil

This sauce is a perfect balance of flavours, with the salty soy sauce complemented by the spicy kick of chilli. To make it, you'll need sesame oil or vegetable oil, ginger, chilli flakes, rice wine vinegar, and raw sugar or honey. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the minced ginger and chilli flakes. Sauté until the ginger is lightly browned. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, and sugar or honey, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. This sauce is fantastic with Asian dishes, and you can also use it as a dip for Chinese Scallion Pancakes or dumplings.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

This Thai condiment is usually made with fish sauce, but vegetarian and vegan versions can be created by swapping out this ingredient. To make your own sweet chilli sauce, blend an inch of ginger, 100ml of white wine or cider vinegar, and 200g of white caster sugar. Add this mixture to a saucepan with 100ml of water and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue simmering and stirring for another 5 minutes, or until the sauce easily coats the back of a spoon. Let the sauce cool and infuse for 1-2 hours. This sweet and spicy sauce is perfect for marinating chicken or as a dip for sausages or spring rolls.

Frequently asked questions