Cody Casey
Air fryers are a convenient and healthier alternative to deep frying, and they can be used to make egg rolls with a fraction of the oil and effort. The intense air circulation in an air fryer creates a unique cooking method that results in a crispy exterior and tender, perfectly cooked interior. While some people prefer the taste of traditionally fried egg rolls, air-fried egg rolls are a fun and delicious addition to an appetizer spread for a party or a light weeknight dinner.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Egg Rolls in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 390-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 9-11 minutes |
| Flip Time | After 4-6 minutes |
| Oil | Canola, grapeseed, olive, or another high-smoke point oil |
| Filling | Ground chicken or turkey, pork, tofu, crab rangoon, or vegetables |
| Seasoning | Soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper |
| Wrapper | Square egg roll or spring roll wrappers |
| Wrapper Sealant | Water or beaten egg |
| Pros | Healthier, faster, less mess, easy to make |
| Cons | May not cook evenly, different taste |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the filling for egg rolls
The filling for egg rolls is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences. You can use any cooked protein, such as ground pork, chicken, or turkey, and almost any vegetable. For a vegetarian option, you can use tofu instead of meat.
Start by cooking your chosen protein in a skillet over medium heat. Break apart the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks. If you're using ground pork or chicken, cook until there is no liquid left in the pan. For other types of meat, cook until it is cooked through.
Next, add your choice of vegetables and seasonings. A traditional Chinese takeout combination includes garlic, ginger, scallion, carrot, and cabbage. You can also add celery and mushrooms for extra flavour and texture. Cook until the vegetables are wilted and soft, stirring regularly.
Finally, season the filling to taste. You can use soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha. Stir everything together, and your filling is ready!
Remember, it's important to let the filling cool down before assembling your egg rolls, especially if you're making the filling in advance.
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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 laying the wrapper out flat in front of you, with one corner pointing towards you. This corner will be corner 1, the corner to its left is corner 2, the corner to the right is corner 3, and the corner furthest from you is corner 4. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper, slightly below an imaginary line connecting corners 2 and 3.
Using your finger or a small brush, spread some egg wash along the edges of the wrapper, from corner 2 to corner 1, and then from corner 1 to corner 3. Bring corner 1 down over the filling and continue rolling away from yourself until you reach the end, like you would roll a burrito. This will leave you with an open end. Seal the open end by brushing a little water or beaten egg along the edge and pressing the wrapper together.
Repeat this process until all your filling is wrapped. You can then cook these egg rolls in an air fryer for a crispy, golden finish.
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How to cook egg rolls in an air fryer
Air fryers are a healthier and faster alternative to frying egg rolls, producing a crispy exterior without drying out the inside. To cook egg rolls in an air fryer, first prepare your filling. Any sort of cooked protein can be diced and added, and almost any vegetable can be wilted down and folded in. A basic filling recipe includes ground pork, garlic, ginger, carrot, scallions, and cabbage, cooked in a skillet and seasoned with soy sauce and rice wine vinegar.
Once your filling is prepared, assemble the egg rolls. Place an egg roll wrapper with one corner facing towards you, and add a tablespoon of filling to the bottom half. Wrap the corner over the filling, then fold in the sides and continue rolling until you reach the end. Seal the edges with water or a beaten egg.
When your egg rolls are assembled, spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. Place the egg rolls in the basket and lightly spray the tops with oil. Cook at 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 to 11 minutes, flipping halfway through.
You can also cook frozen egg rolls in the air fryer. Remove them from the freezer, coat the outsides with oil, and cook at 400 degrees for 1-2 minutes per side until heated through.
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How to store and reheat egg rolls
Storing and reheating egg rolls is a simple process. If you have cooked a large batch, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It is best to use them within 3-4 days to avoid any risk of foodborne illnesses.
To reheat egg rolls in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded or touching. Reheat for 1-3 minutes for smaller egg rolls, and 5-6 minutes for larger ones, or until heated through. You can also lightly brush the egg rolls with oil before frying for extra crispiness.
If your egg rolls are frozen, it is best not to thaw them first as this can affect the crispiness. Simply place them in the air fryer and heat at 350°F for 12-14 minutes for regular-sized egg rolls, and 375°F for 8-9 minutes for mini egg rolls.
You can also reheat egg rolls in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Place the egg rolls on a baking sheet and cover them with tin foil. Heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy.
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The benefits of cooking egg rolls in an air fryer
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, requiring only a fraction of the oil needed to pan-fry egg rolls. This means you can still achieve a crispy, crunchy exterior without the extra fat.
Using an air fryer is also a lot less messy than pan-frying. There is no need to stand over a pot of hot oil, getting splattered, and clean-up time is reduced.
Air fryers are also known for their speed and convenience. They take a fraction of the time of delivery and are much faster than oven cooking. You can also reheat egg rolls in an air fryer in a matter of minutes, whereas an oven can take up to seven minutes to reheat egg rolls.
Finally, air fryers are incredibly versatile. You can fill your egg rolls with almost anything, from leftover chicken and rice to steak and onions. You can also customise the recipe to your liking, adding more meat, tofu, or crab, as long as you stick to the original recipe's proportions.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook egg rolls in an air fryer at 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 to 11 minutes, flipping at the halfway point.
For the filling, you can use ground chicken, turkey, or pork. You can marinate the chicken or turkey beforehand for extra flavor. Cook the meat in a pan with olive oil until cooked through. Then, add garlic, ginger, carrot, scallions, and cabbage. Cook until the vegetables are wilted and soft. Season with soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. Let the mixture cool before filling the egg rolls.
Place the egg roll wrapper with one corner facing you. Put a tablespoon of filling in the bottom half and wrap that corner over the filling. Turn both sides over the wrapper and roll away from you until you reach the end. Seal the edges with water or a beaten egg.
