Air Fryer Spring Rolls: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Spring rolls are a popular snack and appetiser, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Fortunately, air fryers offer a simple, clean, and healthier way to cook spring rolls. The cooking process is straightforward and can be done in under 10 minutes, resulting in crispy spring rolls that are just as good, if not better, than their deep-fried counterparts.

How to make spring rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Oil (vegetable, avocado, olive, sesame seed, or another neutral oil)
• Spring roll wrappers (wonton, rice paper, wheat, or egg roll)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. ground beef, mixed vegetables, onion, garlic, soy sauce, rice noodles)

Method

• Prepare the filling: This can be done in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. If you're making a meat filling, cook it in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat until browned. You can also add vegetables, onions, garlic, and spices to your filling.
• Soak the noodles: If you're using rice noodles, soak them in hot water for about five minutes until soft, then cut them into shorter strands.
• Assemble the spring rolls: Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface in a diamond orientation. Add two to three spoonfuls of filling in the center, in a line parallel to your body. Use a bit of water to wet the edges of the wrapper, then fold the sides and the bottom corner over the filling. Continue rolling the wrapper tightly, ensuring it's sealed shut.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C) and preheat for about five minutes.
• Brush the spring rolls with oil: Lightly brush or spray the spring rolls with oil. This step is optional but will give your spring rolls a more traditional, crispy taste.
• Arrange the spring rolls in the air fryer basket: Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry the spring rolls: Cook the spring rolls at 380-400°F (200°C) for 4-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of the spring rolls, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
• Serve immediately: Spring rolls are best served fresh out of the air fryer. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or peanut sauce.

Tips:

• You can make spring rolls in advance and freeze them. When ready to eat, air fry them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Experiment with different fillings and wrappers to find your favorite combination.

How to make frozen spring rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen spring rolls
• Vegetable oil (neutral oil, such as rapeseed oil)
• Dipping sauce of your choice (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Pastry brush

Method

• Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer by running it at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
• Prepare the spring rolls: Brush the frozen spring rolls with a thin coat of oil.
• Fry the spring rolls: Place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket and fry for 4 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then, remove the basket, turn the spring rolls, and place them back in the air fryer for another 4 minutes at the same temperature.
• Serve: Remove the spring rolls from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the fryer: Cook the spring rolls in one layer only. If you want to cook a large batch, do it in several batches.
• Adjust the cooking time for larger spring rolls: If your spring rolls are larger than average, you may need to increase the cooking time. Start with 5 minutes on each side and then check if they are warm all the way through.
• Don't thaw the spring rolls: Frozen spring rolls are best cooked straight from the freezer.
• Preheat the air fryer: Make sure your air fryer has been preheated to the correct temperature before you start cooking.
• Turn the spring rolls halfway through: For even cooking, turn the spring rolls over halfway through the cooking time.

How to make spring rolls in an air fryer without oil

Spring rolls are a delicious snack and appetizer, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Using an air fryer is a great alternative that is quick, easy, and mess-free. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make spring rolls in an air fryer without oil:

Ingredients:

• Spring rolls (frozen or fresh)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. pork and veggie, beef and veggie, or just veggies)
• Spring roll wrappers (egg or wheat)
• Spices and seasonings (e.g. onion powder, black pepper, ginger, soy sauce, garlic)
• Dipping sauces (e.g. sweet chili sauce, dark soy sauce, gyoza sauce)

Instructions:

• Prepare your filling: Cook your chosen filling ingredients thoroughly on a stovetop. This could include ground meat, mixed vegetables, onions, garlic, and spices. Stir in the juices and add soy sauce to taste.
• Fill and roll the spring rolls: Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface in a diamond orientation. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto the wrapper, placing it in a line parallel to your body. Use a bit of water to wet the edges of the wrapper, then fold the sides and bottom corner over the filling. Roll the wrapper tightly around the filling, sealing it shut.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to a temperature between 350-400°F (175-200°C). Allow it to preheat for a few minutes before placing the spring rolls inside.
• Cook the spring rolls: Place the filled spring rolls into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cook for 8-10 minutes at the set temperature, flipping them halfway through. The spring rolls are ready when they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.
• Serve and enjoy: Remove the spring rolls from the air fryer and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

Tips:

• You can prepare the spring rolls in advance and refrigerate or freeze them before cooking.
• If you prefer a more traditional crispy taste, you can brush or spray the spring rolls with a small amount of oil before placing them in the air fryer.
• For best results, cook spring rolls in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Spring rolls are best enjoyed fresh, as they may not store well after cooking.

Now you can enjoy delicious, crispy spring rolls without the mess and excess oil of traditional frying!

How to make vegan spring rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Oil (vegetable, rapeseed, sesame, or olive oil)
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Mirin
• Firm tofu
• Vermicelli noodles
• Ramen cake/any type of noodle square
• Spring roll sheets/wrappers (rice paper)
• Salt and pepper

Method

• Warm some oil in a non-stick frying pan and saute onions.
• Add shredded cabbage and julienned carrots and saute until soft but not mushy.
• Toss in sliced green bell pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar.
• Mix in noodles, salt, and pepper.
• On a flat surface, take a spring roll sheet (thawed) and cut it in half.
• Place some stuffing on one half of the sheet and gently roll the sheet while pressing the stuffing inside. Seal the sides with wet fingers.
• Repeat the above process for the rest of the stuffing and sheets.
• Brush the spring rolls with some oil.
• Place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket and cook at 390-400°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through if needed.
• Let the spring rolls cool down for at least 5-10 minutes before serving with your desired sauce or dip.

Tips

• For gluten-free spring rolls, use rice noodles instead of ramen and rice paper instead of spring roll sheets.
• If you want crispier spring rolls, cook them for a little longer in the air fryer.
• The spring rolls are best served fresh, but you can make the stuffing in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to assemble the spring rolls.

How to make spring rolls in an air fryer with rice paper wrappers

Ingredients

• Oil (vegetable, avocado, olive, or another neutral oil)
• Filling of your choice (e.g., ground beef, chicken, or pork; vegetables; garlic; soy sauce; rice vinegar; etc.)
• Rice paper wrappers

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the filling

First, prepare your filling of choice. This could include cooking any raw meat and chopping up any vegetables. Be sure to let the filling cool down before assembling your spring rolls.

Step 2: Soak the rice paper

Fill a wide, shallow bowl with warm water. Soak one rice paper wrapper at a time for a few seconds or until softened, following the instructions on the package.

Step 3: Assemble the spring rolls

Place the softened rice paper wrapper on a clean surface. Add a heaping spoonful of filling to the wrapper, leaving ample space for sealing. Fold in the sides, and then continue rolling until sealed. Repeat this process until all your spring rolls are assembled.

Step 4: Prepare the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350–400°F (175–200°C). Spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil.

Step 5: Cook the spring rolls

Place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. Brush or spray the spring rolls with oil. Air fry for 8–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on all sides. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 6: Serve

Let the spring rolls cool down for at least 5–10 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips

• Don't overfill the wrappers to prevent bursting during cooking.
• Experiment with different fillings and ingredients to customize the flavor.
• For a vegan option, omit the meat and use shredded tofu or extra mushrooms.
• To store leftovers, place cooked spring rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven before serving.

Frequently asked questions