Air fryer steak and cheese egg rolls are a delicious and convenient snack or meal option. Combining the classic flavours of Philly cheesesteak with the convenience of an egg roll wrapper, this dish can be made in the air fryer for a healthier, less messy alternative to deep-frying. The process is simple: fill egg roll wrappers with a mixture of steak, cheese, and vegetables, roll and seal, then air fry to crispy perfection. With a range of possible fillings and dips, this versatile dish can be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick and easy snack or meal.
What You'll Learn
How to roll egg rolls
Rolling egg rolls is an art, and with a few tips, you can easily master it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roll the perfect egg rolls:
Step 1: Lay Out the Egg Roll Wrapper
Place the egg roll wrapper on a flat surface, forming a diamond shape with one corner facing you. This corner is called corner 1, the left corner is corner 2, the right corner is corner 3, and the top corner is corner 4.
Step 2: Add the Filling
Place about 2-3 tablespoons of your desired filling (in this case, the steak and cheese mixture) in the middle of the wrapper, slightly below the line connecting corners 2 and 3. Spread some of the egg wash or water along the edges of the wrapper from corners 2 to 1 and 1 to 3.
Step 3: Fold Over Corner 4
Fold corner 4 towards corner 1, covering the filling. Use a rolling back action to firm up the mixture.
Step 4: Fold Over the Side Corners
Gently press down on each side of the filling to flatten the wrapper. Now, fold over corner 2 (left) and corner 3 (right) towards the middle, one at a time. Ensure the egg mixture seals both corners.
Step 5: Start Rolling
Continue rolling the wrapper towards corner 1 until it forms a tight cylinder. Before finishing the roll, moisten the top corner (corner 1) with water or egg wash to help seal the wrapper.
Step 6: Seal and Touch Up the Edges
With a finger dipped in water or egg wash, gently brush the edges of the roll to ensure it is completely sealed. If needed, use a little more of the egg mixture to secure the edges.
Step 7: Repeat and Prepare for Frying
Repeat these steps until you have rolled all your egg rolls. Place them on a large plate or platter until you are ready to fry them. To prevent sticking, you can roll the egg rolls in a little cornstarch. However, do not wait too long, as the moisture from the filling can make the wrappers soggy.
Air Frying Ground Beef: How Long Should You Fry?
You may want to see also
How long to cook them for
The cooking time for your steak and cheese egg rolls will depend on the temperature you set your air fryer to.
If you are cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 10 minutes.
If you are cooking at 370 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
If you are cooking at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the egg rolls have a crispy wrapper.
If you are cooking at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
If you are cooking at 390 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 7 minutes, flipping them after 4 minutes.
If you are cooking at 392 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 3 minutes, after first air frying at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
If you are cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you should air fry your egg rolls for 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Air Frying Chicken Breasts: The Perfect Timing at 350
You may want to see also
What to fill them with
There are many options for what to fill your steak and cheese egg rolls with. Here are some ideas:
Meat
You can use flank steak, ribeye, sirloin, ground beef, or shaved steak. If you use flank steak, try to cut it thinly and against the grain. You can also freeze the steak for about 20 minutes first to make it easier to slice. If you don't want to use beef, you can substitute chicken or pork.
Vegetables
Onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms are all popular choices. For onions, you can use white, yellow, or red. For bell peppers, you can use green, red, or yellow. You can also add poblano peppers for some mild heat. If you want to keep things simple, you can leave out the vegetables. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Cheese
Provolone, Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or American cheese are all good options. You can also use a cheese sauce, such as Cheez Whiz, or make a provolone cheese sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try a combination of cheeses.
Seasoning
You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend.
Wrappers
Of course, you'll need egg roll wrappers to hold everything together. You can usually find these in the produce section of your local grocery store.
Sauce
While the filling is important, don't forget about the dipping sauce! Some options include sour cream, hot sauce, marinara sauce, Sririacha mayo, ranch dressing, or a cheese sauce. Get creative and find the perfect sauce to complement your delicious steak and cheese egg rolls.
Air Fryer Frozen Sausage: How Long It Takes
You may want to see also
What to serve them with
Steak and cheese egg rolls are a fun and delicious dish, perfect for appetisers, game day snacks, or even a main course. They are a twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich, with the same delicious steak, pepper, and cheese combination, all wrapped up in a crispy egg roll wrapper.
But what to serve them with? Here are some ideas to elevate your meal and create a well-rounded dining experience:
- Dipping Sauces: While some like to serve their steak and cheese egg rolls with ketchup, you can also offer a variety of dipping sauces on the side. Try creamy options like ranch, horseradish sauce, or a cheese sauce such as queso blanco. Alternatively, spice things up with sriracha, barbecue sauce, or Asian chili sauce. Don't be afraid to experiment and offer a range of options to suit different tastes.
- Salads: If you want to add a fresh and healthy element to your meal, consider serving a side salad. A Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch or a Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad would be perfect accompaniments to the rich and crispy egg rolls.
- Vegetables: Roasted or steamed vegetables can add some extra nutrition and colour to your plate. Try Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Slow Cooker Creamed Corn for sides that are sure to satisfy.
- Potato Dishes: Potato dishes are always a crowd-pleaser and can complement the flavours of the egg rolls nicely. Try Kicked-Up Classy Creamy Potato Salad, Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potato Fries, or Slow Cooker Creamed Corn for some hearty and flavourful options.
- Breads: No meal is complete without some delicious bread on the side. Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread or Award-Winning Sweet Moist Cornbread will surely be a hit with your guests.
- Other Appetisers: If you're serving the egg rolls as part of a larger spread, consider offering a variety of appetisers to cater to different tastes. Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Queso Verde Corn Dip, or Buffalo Chicken Dip are sure to be popular choices.
Air-Fryer Blooming Onions: The Perfect Timing
You may want to see also
How to reheat them
To reheat steak and cheese egg rolls in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place your egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Spray the egg rolls with extra virgin olive oil or cooking spray to help them get crispy. Reheat for 3-4 minutes, or until they are nice and crispy. If your egg rolls are smaller, they may only need 1-2 minutes.
It is best to avoid reheating egg rolls in the microwave, as they will become soggy. The oven will also work, but it takes much longer and may result in tough, overcooked egg rolls.
When reheating meat or fish egg rolls, be aware that they can only be reheated once, so it is best to reheat in smaller batches. Vegetarian egg rolls can be reheated multiple times. Consume reheated egg rolls within 2 days, as you don't know how long the seller had them out before selling them.
Air Fryer Chicken Patties: Frozen to Crispy in Minutes
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You should cook the egg rolls for 7-10 minutes at 375°F, or 8 minutes at 380°F, or 10 minutes at 350°F followed by 3 minutes at 392°F.
You will need flank steak, an egg roll wrapper, cheese (provolone, Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella), avocado oil, onion, peppers, and spices.
Place half a slice of cheese on an egg roll wrapper, add a large scoop of the meat mixture, fold the wrapper in half, finish rolling, and seal with a little water.
Yes, you can freeze unbaked egg rolls. Place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry or bake directly from frozen when ready to serve.