Air Fryer Lumpia: The Perfect Cooking Time

how long do you cook lumpia in air fryer

Lumpia, a beloved Filipino dish, is a crispy spring roll with a thin pastry skin and a savoury filling. Traditionally deep-fried, lumpia can also be cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a healthier version of the dish with a satisfyingly crispy texture. The air fryer's hot circulating air ensures the lumpia turns golden brown and crunchy, without the need for excessive oil. The cooking time for lumpia in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispiness, but it generally ranges from 4 minutes per side to 10-12 minutes in total.

Characteristics Values
Time taken 20 minutes from freezer to table
Temperature 350° F to 390° F (188° C to 198° C)
Time to cook 8-14 minutes
Time to cook each side 4-7 minutes
Additional time 2 minutes max if not crispy enough
Oil Brush or spray with avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil
Filling Ground beef, ground pork, or protein of your choice with carrots, onions, water chestnuts, green onions, soy sauce, and chicken flavor bouillon
Wrapper Lumpia or spring roll wrappers

cycookery

Lumpia filling ideas

Lumpia is a popular Filipino dish, similar to a spring roll or egg roll. They are longer and thinner than egg rolls, but the wrapper is very similar. Lumpia is typically made with ground pork, vegetables, and a few seasonings, but the filling can be changed depending on your taste. Here are some ideas for Lumpia fillings:

Classic Pork and Vegetable Filling

The traditional and most popular lumpia filling combines ground pork and vegetables. The mixture can include carrots, cabbage, onions, garlic, and/or bean sprouts.

Chicken, Shrimp, or Tofu

If you want to switch up the protein in your lumpia, you can try using chicken, shrimp, or tofu as your primary protein source.

Vegetarian Lumpia

Vegetarian lumpia can be made with a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, water chestnuts, onions, and scallions.

Sweet Variations

For a sweeter take on lumpia, you can try fillings such as bananas, plantains, or jackfruit.

Beef Mince

For a heartier option, you can use beef mince as the filling. This can be combined with vegetables such as onions, garlic, and carrots, as well as seasonings like salt, black pepper, and soy sauce.

When making lumpia, you can either combine the filling and place it raw into the lumpia wrapper, or you can cook the filling first and then roll it into the wrapper before frying. Frying is the traditional method, but lumpia can also be baked or cooked in an air fryer for a healthier option that still achieves a crispy texture.

cycookery

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time for cooking lumpia depend on the type of lumpia and the specific air fryer being used. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before cooking lumpia. For fresh lumpia, a temperature of 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198 degrees Celsius) for 8 to 9 minutes is suggested, flipping the lumpia halfway through cooking. For frozen lumpia, a lower temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes is recommended, with a similar flipping process.

When cooking fresh lumpia in the air fryer, it is important to mist or brush the rolls with oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198 degrees Celsius) and cook the lumpia for about 4 minutes. Then, flip the lumpia and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the skins are crispy. The total cooking time for fresh lumpia in the air fryer is typically around 8 to 9 minutes.

For frozen lumpia, the recommended temperature is slightly lower at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen lumpia in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching, and brush them with oil or cooking spray. Set the timer for 10 to 12 minutes, and flip the lumpia halfway through the cooking process. The lumpia should be golden brown and crispy when done.

It is worth noting that cooking times may vary depending on the specific air fryer model and the number of lumpia being cooked. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the lumpia while they are cooking to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Additionally, some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and cooking for 25 minutes, but this may be intended for a specific type of lumpia or air fryer.

cycookery

How to assemble lumpia

Lumpia is a popular Filipino dish, often served as an appetizer or side dish. It is essentially a fried spring roll with a savoury filling, usually made with ground pork and vegetables. The process of assembling lumpia is straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps.

Firstly, prepare the filling. This typically involves cooking and seasoning the ground pork, and then mixing it with vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, onions, garlic, and ginger. The vegetables should be cut into thin strips or minced, depending on the recipe. The filling should be cooked until it is fragrant and tender, and then set aside to cool before assembling the lumpia.

To assemble the lumpia, start by placing a wrapper on a clean surface. The wrapper should be thin and flexible, and it may be helpful to moisten the edges with water to make them more pliable. Place a generous amount of filling onto the wrapper, usually about 2-3 tablespoons, leaving some space at the edges.

Next, begin to roll the wrapper. Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling, and then fold in the sides. Continue rolling from the bottom up, until you have a tight cylinder. Ensure that the filling is secure and will not leak during cooking. You can seal the wrapper with a flour and water mixture, or by moistening the remaining edge of the wrapper with water to create a tight seal.

Repeat this process until you have assembled all your lumpia rolls. It is important to work efficiently as the wrappers can dry out, which will make them more difficult to work with. Once assembled, the lumpia can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months if not ready to be cooked immediately.

cycookery

How to serve lumpia

Lumpia, the beloved Filipino spring rolls, can be served as a side dish or appetiser, paired with a variety of sauces and side dishes. Here are some tips on how to serve lumpia:

Choose Your Filling

Lumpia can be made with various fillings, but the traditional and most popular filling is a combination of ground pork and vegetables, including carrots, cabbage, onions, garlic, and bean sprouts. However, you can also experiment with different protein alternatives such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu. For vegetarians, you can omit the meat and create a delicious vegetable-only version.

Select Your Sauce

Lumpia is often served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce, but you can also offer other options such as a classic sweet and sour sauce or a spicier alternative like Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce. These sauces enhance the flavour of the lumpia and add a delightful kick.

Prepare Side Dishes

To make your meal more substantial, serve lumpia with side dishes such as Mongolian beef, chicken wings, shrimp fried rice, Chop Suey, Mango Kani Salad, Egg Roll in a Bowl, Chicken Adobo, Pancit Bihon (a Filipino noodle dish), fried rice, sesame noodles, sweet and sour chicken, vegetable stir-fry, Asian slaw, garlic butter shrimp, or coconut rice. These sides provide a variety of textures and flavours that complement the crispy lumpia.

Cooking Method

Lumpia can be cooked in an air fryer, achieving the same crispiness as deep-frying without the need for excessive oil. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to 390°F (188°C to 198°C) and cook the lumpia in batches if necessary. Brush the lumpia with oil and air fry for about 8 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skins are crispy and golden brown. Serve the lumpia immediately while they are still warm and crispy.

Air-Fryer Tricks: Frozen Salmon, Quick!

You may want to see also

cycookery

Why use an air fryer

To cook lumpia in an air fryer, you should preheat the fryer at 370–390 °F (188–198 °C) and cook the rolls for 8–14 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. You can also cook the lumpia filling in the air fryer, browning the meat and softening the vegetables before assembling the rolls.

Now, why use an air fryer? Well, air fryers are a great way to cook food without using excessive amounts of oil. They use convection to circulate hot air (and sometimes a small amount of oil) around the food, resulting in a similar taste and texture to deep-fried food, but with a healthier outcome. This makes them particularly good for cooking frozen foods, such as chicken nuggets, fries, and spring rolls, as well as reheating lukewarm food. They are also useful for smaller households, as you can cook small batches of food quickly and efficiently without having to heat up a full-scale oven. Air fryers are also praised for their ease of use and quick cooking times, making them a convenient option for busy people who still want to eat homemade food. They are also praised for their ability to make food crispy, with minimal cleanup required afterward.

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended that you cook lumpia in an air fryer for 8-14 minutes. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the desired crispiness of the lumpia.

Frozen lumpia can be cooked in an air fryer without needing to defrost it first. Simply place the frozen lumpia in the air fryer and follow the same cooking instructions as you would for fresh lumpia.

The ideal temperature for cooking lumpia in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F. Preheat your air fryer before placing the lumpia inside.

The ingredients you will need to make lumpia include lumpia or spring roll wrappers, protein of your choice (ground beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, or tofu), carrots, onions, water chestnuts, green onions, and seasonings like soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment