Frying Lumpia: Air Fryer Time And Temperature Guide

Lumpia is a Filipino version of spring rolls, typically made with ground chicken or pork, carrots, onions, cabbage, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. They are usually deep-fried, but cooking them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that produces the same crispiness with less oil. So, how long do you need to fry lumpia in an air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 2 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. For lumpia, you should preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 2 minutes. This ensures that your lumpia will cook evenly and efficiently.

Preheating allows the air fryer to reach and maintain the desired temperature, creating a consistent cooking environment. This is especially important when cooking frozen foods, such as lumpia, as it helps to prevent uneven cooking or a soggy texture. By preheating, you can be confident that your lumpia will come out crispy and delicious.

The preheat function on an air fryer works similarly to a conventional oven. It circulates hot air to create a consistent temperature throughout the cooking chamber. This ensures that your food starts cooking at the desired temperature as soon as it is placed inside.

When preheating, it is important to ensure that your air fryer is set to the correct temperature. For lumpia, the ideal temperature is 375°F. This temperature setting strikes a balance between cooking the lumpia thoroughly and maintaining a crispy texture. A lower temperature may result in soggy lumpia, while a higher temperature may burn the outside before the inside is cooked.

By preheating your air fryer to 375°F for 2 minutes, you are creating the optimal conditions for cooking lumpia. This simple step ensures that your lumpia will turn out perfectly crispy and cooked through every time.

Cooking time: 13-15 minutes

Cooking Lumpia in an Air Fryer:

Lumpia is a Filipino version of a spring roll, typically filled with ground chicken or pork, vegetables, and sauces. It is a staple at Filipino gatherings and celebrations.

Cooking Instructions:

To cook lumpia in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes. Place the frozen lumpia into the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each one. Set the timer for 9 minutes, and then flip the lumpia and set the timer for another 5 minutes. This will give you a total cooking time of 13-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your lumpia.

Tips:

• You can brush or spritz the lumpia with vegetable oil before air frying to ensure crispness.
• If you want to add more filling to your lumpia, you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure the rolls are cooked through.
• If you are cooking fresh lumpia, you can cook at a higher temperature of 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
• You can serve lumpia with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce with hot chili oil, or a vinegar garlic sauce.

Cooking lumpia in an air fryer is a convenient and healthy way to enjoy this Filipino favorite. With a cooking time of 13-15 minutes, it's a quick and easy option for appetizers or snacks.

Oil spray for crispiness

A light mist of oil is necessary to get a crispy outer layer on your lumpia. It is important to choose the right oil and to use oil spray, which means that your lumpia will not be deep-fried in oil as it traditionally would be; instead, a little bit of oil spray will add all the oil you need to make your lumpia crispy.

The best way to get crisp lumpia is to stick with an oil spray. Oil sprays can be used to coat the air fryer basket as well as the food. This helps the food avoid sticking to the basket. Oil sprays are different from non-stick cooking sprays or any aerosol spray. It is not recommended to use a non-stick spray on your air fryer basket as it could ruin the coating. That means it's important to stick with non-propellant oil sprays.

The smoke point of an oil is the point at which the oil starts to smoke. This can greatly alter the taste and texture of your food, and it can also destroy nutrients within the oil. If you exceed the smoke point of an oil, it becomes highly flammable. It is very important to know the smoke point of the oil spray that you prefer to use for your air fryer.

Some of the most used oil sprays are avocado, coconut, grapeseed, and olive oil sprays. Avocado oil spray has a smoke point of 450°F, grapeseed oil spray has a smoke point of 400°F, extra virgin olive oil spray has a smoke point of 350°F, and coconut oil spray has a smoke point of 350°F.

When using oil spray on your lumpia, you will want to add your oil of choice to the food before putting it into the air fryer basket. While you can add a bit of oil directly to the basket, you need to be extremely careful not to let it come in contact with any of the electrical pieces.

Fillings: ground beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables

When making lumpia in an air fryer, the filling options are versatile, including ground beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables. Here's a detailed guide for each option:

Ground Beef Filling:

For ground beef filling, you'll need to cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat until it's slightly browned, which should take around 4 to 5 minutes. You can then add your choice of vegetables, such as finely sliced green onions, chopped carrots, and water chestnuts. Cook this mixture for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft. Don't forget to add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to enhance the flavor. Season the filling with soy sauce, salt, and ground ginger to taste. Stir everything together, and your ground beef filling is ready!

Chicken Filling:

For a chicken filling, start by cooking the chicken in a skillet over medium heat. You can use either chicken breasts or thighs. Cut the chicken into small pieces or strips before cooking to ensure even cooking. Cook the chicken until it's completely white, with no pink spots, which usually takes around 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces. As with the ground beef filling, add your choice of vegetables (green onions, carrots, water chestnuts, or others) and cook until they're soft. Don't forget to add garlic and your choice of seasonings, such as soy sauce, salt, and ginger. Stir everything together, and your chicken filling is good to go!

Pork Filling:

For a pork filling, you can use ground pork or cut pork into small pieces or strips. If using ground pork, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until it's no longer pink, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. If using larger pieces of pork, increase the cooking time accordingly. As with the other fillings, add your choice of vegetables and cook until they're soft. You can also include garlic and seasonings such as soy sauce, salt, and ginger to taste. Stir everything together, and your pork filling is ready for your lumpia!

Vegetable Filling:

For a vegetarian option, you can create a delicious vegetable filling. Start by chopping your choice of vegetables into small, even pieces. Some popular options include carrots, green beans, cabbage, mushrooms, and bell peppers. You can sauté them in a skillet with some oil until they're tender, which usually takes around 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the vegetables you choose. Season your vegetable mixture with soy sauce, salt, pepper, or any other spices you like. You can also add minced garlic for extra flavor. Don't overcook the vegetables, as you want them to retain some texture. Once they're tender, your vegetable filling is ready to be used in your lumpia!

Remember, regardless of the filling you choose, the cooking process in the air fryer remains the same. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (198°C). Place the lumpia rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cook them in batches if needed. Fry for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4 minutes or until the skins are crispy. Enjoy your delicious, crispy lumpia!

Dipping sauces: sweet and sour, vinegar garlic, or sweet chilli sauce

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

Lumpia can be cooked in an air fryer, resulting in the same crispiness as deep-fried versions without the need for excess oil. The cooking time is shorter, and cleanup is easier.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This sauce is a classic pairing for lumpia, offering a balance of sweet and tangy flavours. It complements the savoury and crispy spring rolls, creating a delightful contrast in tastes and textures.

Vinegar Garlic Sauce

A vinegar-based sauce is another traditional choice for lumpia. The vinegar adds a tangy and sharp flavour note, while garlic contributes a pungent and savoury kick. This sauce is an excellent choice if you prefer a more robust and intense dipping option.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness with a mild spicy kick, sweet chilli sauce is an ideal choice. It adds a vibrant and tangy flavour to the lumpia, enhancing the overall taste experience.

These dipping sauces will elevate your air-fried lumpia, providing a range of flavour profiles to suit different palates. Whether you prefer sweet, tangy, or spicy, these sauces will surely impress your guests or family members at your next gathering.

Frequently asked questions