Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great way to cook egg rolls, yielding a crispy, crunchy exterior without the extra fat of deep frying or the dryness of oven cooking. They are also healthier, faster, and produce less mess. The process is simple: prepare your filling, assemble your egg rolls, and then air fry them in batches to ensure they get crispy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Healthier than deep frying, less cleanup, faster, and easy to make |
| Filling | Any cooked protein (e.g. leftover chicken, steak, ground pork, tofu, shrimp, or beef), vegetables (e.g. cabbage, carrot, ginger, garlic, scallion), sauces (e.g. soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, oyster sauce, sriracha) |
| Cooking Time | 7-12 minutes at 360-400˚F |
| Cooking Method | Preheat the air fryer, brush the egg rolls with oil, place in the basket without touching each other, flip halfway through |
| Storing | Store covered leftovers in the fridge for 2-5 days, freeze for up to three months |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer at 370˚F for 2 minutes, or in a 350˚F oven for 6-7 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the filling for egg rolls
The filling for egg rolls can be made with a variety of ingredients, depending on your preference. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the filling for egg rolls:
Ingredients:
- Ground pork or chicken
- Olive oil or sesame oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Carrot (pre-cut matchsticks or shredded)
- Cabbage (wilted)
- Scallions or green onions
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Black pepper
- Salt
- 5-spice seasoning
Optional Ingredients:
- Oyster sauce
- Sriracha
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Tofu
- Beef
- Turkey
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Cook the ground pork or chicken in a large skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break apart the meat as it cooks, until it is cooked through.
- Add the garlic, ginger, carrot, scallions or green onions, and cabbage to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are soft and the cabbage is wilted, stirring regularly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and season the filling with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, black pepper, salt, and 5-spice seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Allow the filling to cool before assembling the egg rolls.
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own unique filling!
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How to wrap the filling in an egg roll wrapper
To wrap the filling in an egg roll wrapper, start by placing the wrapper on a plate or cutting board. The wrapper should be diamond-shaped, with one corner pointing towards you. If you're making your own wrappers, you can make a batter of egg and flour and pour it into a pan to cook, or make a dough and roll it out.
Add 2 tablespoons of filling to the bottom third of the wrapper. If the filling is cold, it will be easier to work with and less likely to make the wrapper soggy. Roll the bottom corner up and over the filling, stopping in the centre of the wrapper. Fold the side corners in towards the middle, burrito-style. Then, roll the filling towards the remaining corner, forming a cylinder.
To seal the egg roll, moisten the edges with water or a beaten egg. You can also use egg wash, which is made by beating together an egg with 1 tablespoon of water. This will help to ensure that the egg roll is properly sealed and that nothing leaks out.
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How to cook egg rolls in an air fryer
Air-fried egg rolls are a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried egg rolls. They are crispy, crunchy, and perfect as an appetizer or snack. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own delicious egg rolls at home using an air fryer.
Prepare the filling
You can use any filling of your choice for the egg rolls. A simple Chinese-style filling can be made with ground pork or chicken, ginger, garlic, scallion/green onions, carrot, and cabbage. You can also add other vegetables, cooked proteins, or tofu. Cook the meat in a skillet until it is cooked through, then add the vegetables and cook until they are soft. Season the filling with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. Let the filling cool before assembling the egg rolls.
Assemble the egg rolls
Set up a wrapping station with your cooked filling, egg roll wrappers, a plate, and a small dish of water. Place an egg roll wrapper on a dry surface in a diamond shape with one corner pointing towards you. Place about 1-2 tablespoons of filling in the bottom third of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner over the filling towards the center, then fold in the left and right corners towards the center. Brush the top corner with water, then roll the wrapper towards the remaining point to form a tight cylinder. Repeat this process until you have 4-5 egg rolls.
Air fry the egg rolls
Preheat your air fryer to 360-400˚F. Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the egg rolls in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Brush or spray the tops of the egg rolls with oil. Air fry for 6-11 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.
Serve and store
Serve the egg rolls hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauce. You can store leftover egg rolls in the fridge for 2-5 days or freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, air fry at 360-370˚F for 2-10 minutes, depending on whether they are frozen or thawed.
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How to store and reheat egg rolls
Storing egg rolls
If you have leftover egg rolls, you can store them in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating egg rolls in an air fryer
The air fryer is a great way to reheat egg rolls, giving them a crispy, crunchy texture. Here are the steps to reheat egg rolls in an air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Arrange the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Lightly brush or spray the egg rolls with oil. This will help to crisp up the shell.
- Reheat the egg rolls for 1-3 minutes for fresh egg rolls, or 5-6 minutes for frozen egg rolls, depending on their size.
- Remove the egg rolls from the air fryer when they are crispy and heated through.
Other reheating methods
While the air fryer is a convenient and effective way to reheat egg rolls, there are also other methods you can use:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the egg rolls on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 6-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Microwave: This method can make egg rolls soggy, but if you are short on time, it can be an option. Microwave for one to two minutes, or until heated through.
- Skillet: Heat a skillet with enough oil to go about 1/2 inch up the sides. Fry the egg rolls at 350°F for about four minutes per side, or until golden brown.
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Health benefits of cooking egg rolls in an air fryer
Air-fried egg rolls are a healthier alternative to deep-fried or oven-baked egg rolls. Here are some of the benefits of cooking egg rolls in an air fryer:
Reduced Fat and Calories
Air fryers require little to no oil, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of fat and, by extension, calories in your egg rolls compared to traditional deep frying. This makes air-fried egg rolls a healthier option without sacrificing taste and texture.
Minimal Mess and Easy Cleanup
Cooking egg rolls in an air fryer eliminates the mess and splatter associated with deep frying in a pot of hot oil. The self-contained design of air fryers means no more standing over a stove and dealing with oily splatters. This also makes cleanup a breeze, requiring only a fraction of the time and effort compared to traditional frying methods.
Fast and Convenient
Air fryers are known for their speed and convenience. They cook egg rolls in a fraction of the time it takes to deep fry or oven-bake them, making them an excellent option when you're short on time. Additionally, the ability to cook in batches means you can prepare multiple egg rolls at once, making it easier to feed a crowd.
Tender and Crispy Texture
Air fryers use circulating hot air to cook food, resulting in a unique cooking method and outcome. This technology creates an intense crispy exterior while maintaining tender, perfectly cooked interiors. You get the same crispy texture as deep-fried egg rolls without the extra fat and grease.
Versatility and Customization
Air fryers offer the versatility to experiment with different fillings and ingredients. You can easily customize your egg rolls by adding various proteins, vegetables, or spices to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. This makes air-fried egg rolls a great option for those with specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're making the filling from scratch, try cooking ground pork or chicken in a skillet with ginger, garlic, scallion, carrot, and cabbage. Once the meat is cooked through, add the veggies and cook until they are wilted. Season the filling with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and 5-spice seasoning. You can also add in mushrooms, tofu, or any other cooked protein or vegetable of your choice.
Place the wrapper so that one corner is facing you, then put about 1-2 tablespoons of filling in the bottom third of the wrapper. Fold the left and right corners toward the center, then fold the bottom corner over the center and continue rolling away from you until you reach the end. Seal the edges with water or a beaten egg.
Preheat your air fryer to 360-400˚F. Brush or spray the tops of the egg rolls with olive oil or canola oil and place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 7-11 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.
Allow the egg rolls to cool, then store them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, air fry at 360-370˚F for 2 minutes or until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked egg rolls for up to 3 months.
