Air Frying Egg Rolls: How Long Is Enough?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying egg rolls, requiring less oil and resulting in a healthier snack. The cooking time depends on the size of the egg rolls, the type of air fryer, and the number of egg rolls in the basket. On average, it takes around 9 to 12 minutes to cook egg rolls in an air fryer, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The ideal temperature seems to be around 350°F to 400°F.

How to make egg rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Oil (vegetable, olive, canola, grapeseed, or another high-temperature cooking oil)
• Garlic (minced)
• Ginger (fresh, minced)
• Coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots, shredded)
• Meat of choice (ground chicken, pork, beef, or turkey)
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Sriracha (optional)
• Green onions (thinly sliced)
• Egg roll wrappers

Optional:

• Celery
• Mushrooms
• Red pepper flakes
• Chinese 5-spice seasoning
• Sweet chili sauce (or your preferred dipping sauce)

Method:

• Sauté: Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant.
• Cook: Add the coleslaw mix and cook until the cabbage is wilted.
• Stir-fry: Add your choice of meat, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha (if you like it spicy). Stir-fry the meat, breaking it up for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove: Once the meat 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 facing 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 of the wrapper in, 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 filled.
• Air Fry: Spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil or a light coating of your choice of oil. Place the egg rolls in the basket and lightly spray the tops with oil.
• Cook: Depending on your air fryer model and the number of egg rolls, cook at 350-400°F for 9-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Tips:

• Seal the egg rolls: Use water or an egg wash to dampen the edges so they stick together.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Ensure there is space between the egg rolls to allow hot air to circulate and cook them evenly. Cook them in batches if needed.
• Keep the egg roll wrappers moist: Cover any unused wrappers with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
• Roll tightly: Ensure the egg rolls are rolled tightly to avoid them flattening or going limp.
• Spray generously: Use enough non-stick spray to coat the egg rolls evenly so they become crispy.
• Keep them warm: Place the cooked egg rolls on a baking sheet in a warm oven to stay crisp while you cook the next batch.

Dipping Sauce Ideas:

• Sweet chili sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Soy sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Spicy orange sauce
• Chinese hot mustard
• Duck sauce
• Hot mustard sauce

How to wrap an egg roll

To wrap an egg roll, start by laying out the egg roll wrapper. Place the wrapper so that it forms a diamond shape, with the corner closest to you, the one furthest from you, and the two sides. Place the filling in the middle, spreading it out a little south of an imaginary line between the left and right corners.

Next, fold the corner closest to you towards the furthest corner. Use a rolling motion to firm up the mixture. Then, fold in the left and right corners, ensuring the edges are sealed with the egg mixture.

Finally, start rolling the egg roll towards the furthest corner, continuing until the edges are sealed. Touch up the edges with a little more egg mixture if needed.

Repeat this process until all your egg rolls are wrapped and ready to be cooked. You can also roll them in corn starch to keep them from sticking to each other or the plate.

How to store and reheat egg rolls

Leftover egg rolls will keep for 3-4 days when stored properly in the fridge. To store them, keep them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

When it comes to reheating egg rolls, the air fryer is the best option. It will get you crispy results every time. Here are the steps to reheat egg rolls in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket. You can reheat them in batches if necessary.
• Reheat the egg rolls for 1-4 minutes, depending on their size. Remove them from the air fryer when they're nice and crispy.

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat egg rolls in the oven, microwave, or a pan or deep fryer. However, these methods may not produce the same crispy results as the air fryer.

When reheating egg rolls, it's important to avoid overcrowding the cooking vessel and to ensure that they are heated through before serving.

What to fill egg rolls with

Egg rolls are a versatile snack and you can fill them with a variety of ingredients. Here are some ideas for fillings to get you started:

Traditional Fillings:

• Pork: Seasoned ground pork, Chinese roast pork (char siu), or crispy pork are all delicious options.
• Cabbage: Shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix adds a crunchy texture and pairs well with the other flavours.
• Carrots: Julienned or matchstick-cut carrots provide a nice contrast in colour and taste.
• Celery: This vegetable adds a refreshing flavour and crunch to the filling.
• Ginger and Garlic: Minced or freshly grated ginger and garlic cloves enhance the flavour of the filling.
• Green Onions: These add a mild onion flavour and a pop of colour to the egg rolls.

Other Filling Options:

• Chicken: Ground chicken or cooked shredded chicken can be used as a substitute for pork.
• Shrimp: Chopped cooked shrimp can be added to the filling for a seafood twist.
• Vegetables: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like bean sprouts, mushrooms, or onions.
• Noodles: Try adding some cooked rice noodles or glass noodles to make the filling more substantial.
• Cheese: For an unexpected twist, include some shredded cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.

Remember, the key to a tasty egg roll is to experiment and find combinations that you enjoy! You can also serve egg rolls with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet chilli sauce, duck sauce, soy sauce, or Chinese hot mustard.

How to get the crispiest egg rolls

Ingredients

• Oil (vegetable, olive, or a neutral-flavoured spray oil)
• Filling of your choice (try pork, chicken, beef, tofu, or veggies)
• Seasoning (e.g. soy sauce, ginger, garlic, green onions, sesame oil, and sriracha)
• Egg roll wrappers

Method

• Prepare your filling. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the fridge. If you're using meat, make sure it's cooked before placing it in the wrapper.
• Set up your "wrapping station" with a plate or cutting board, your cooked filling, a small dish of water, and a pastry brush.
• Place an egg roll wrapper on your surface, shaped like a diamond with one corner pointing towards you.
• Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling in the bottom third of the wrapper.
• Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in both sides.
• Starting from the bottom, roll the wrapper up until just the top corner is exposed.
• Brush a little water on the remaining corner, then fold it down to seal the egg roll. Repeat until you have your desired number of egg rolls.
• Brush or spray the tops of the egg rolls with oil.
• Place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket, seam-side down, making sure they don't touch.
• Cook at around 360-400°F for 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• For extra crispiness, broil for one minute on each side.

Tips for the Crispiest Egg Rolls:

• Seal the edges of your egg rolls with water or a beaten egg to prevent the filling from spilling out.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary, keeping the cooked egg rolls warm in an oven.
• Spray the second side of the egg rolls with oil when you flip them if you think they need it.
• Keep the egg roll wrappers covered with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out while you work.
• Re-crisp any leftovers by heating them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions