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

Spring rolls are a delicious snack, appetizer, or light meal, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. That's where the air fryer comes in! Air-fried spring rolls are healthier, less messy, and just as delicious as their deep-fried cousins. They're also very easy to make. All you need are simple ingredients like oil, meat, vegetables, and spring roll wrappers. You can fill your spring rolls with a variety of ingredients, such as ground chicken, pork, beef, turkey, or vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and green onions. The air fryer delivers crispy, golden, and flavorful spring rolls without the guilt and mess of deep frying.

Choosing the right oil

While air-frying spring rolls, the choice of oil is crucial to achieving the perfect crispiness and taste. Here are some tips to help you choose the right oil for air-frying spring rolls:

Type of Oil

You can use any type of oil you prefer or have on hand. However, it is recommended to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for air frying. Examples of neutral oils include vegetable oil, rapeseed oil, and avocado oil. These oils have a mild flavour and can withstand the high temperatures of air frying without smoking or burning.

Oil Application Method

When applying oil to your spring rolls, you can either brush it on or use an oil spray. Brushing the oil ensures an even coating, while an oil spray is a quicker and more convenient option. If you're brushing the oil, use a pastry brush to lightly coat the spring rolls before placing them in the air fryer. If using an oil spray, spray the spring rolls generously to ensure they are well-coated.

Oil Temperature

It is important to preheat your air fryer before placing the spring rolls inside. Set the temperature to around 380°F to 400°F (depending on your air fryer's settings) and preheat for about 3 to 5 minutes. This ensures that the oil starts cooking the spring rolls immediately, creating a crispy texture.

Oil Quantity

When air frying, you only need a small amount of oil compared to traditional deep frying. A light coating of oil on the spring rolls or a few sprays should be sufficient. Using too much oil can make your spring rolls greasy, so it's important to use it sparingly.

Oil for Filling

In addition to brushing or spraying oil on the spring roll wrappers, you can also use oil when cooking the filling. Heat a small amount of olive oil or sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add your garlic, meat, and vegetables to the skillet and cook until your desired level of doneness is achieved. This adds flavour to your filling and helps to cook the ingredients thoroughly.

Remember, the key to choosing the right oil is finding a balance between achieving the desired crispiness and maintaining the health benefits of air frying. By using a neutral oil with a high smoke point and applying it sparingly, you can ensure your spring rolls turn out crispy and delicious!

Preparing the filling

Once you have your ingredients, heat some olive oil or sesame oil in a skillet or pan over medium heat. Add your garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant. If you're using mushrooms, add them now and let them brown on one side for about 5 minutes. Then, mix or stir until they're cooked.

Next, add your meat. If you're using ground meat, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and cook until it's mostly done, breaking it apart as it cooks. Now, add your vegetables and any seasonings or sauces you want to include. Popular choices include soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Cook everything together until the vegetables are tender and the juices have evaporated.

Let the filling cool completely before assembling your spring rolls. This is an important step, as hot filling can cause the wrappers to tear. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the filling in the refrigerator.

Assembling the spring rolls

To assemble the spring rolls, start by placing a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface in front of you, with one of the four corners facing towards you, so it resembles a diamond. You can use any store-bought spring roll wrappers, but if you want to make them yourself, you can dip rice paper wrappers in water for about 10 seconds to soften them.

Next, add the filling. A typical spring roll filling includes ground meat (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef), shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, mushrooms, green onions, and garlic. You can also add leftover noodles to the filling. Saute the garlic and mushrooms first, then add the meat, followed by the vegetables and sauces (soy sauce, vinegar, and spices). Let the mixture cool down before assembling the spring rolls.

Place about two tablespoons of the filling in the center of the wrapper, parallel to your body. Roll the corner of the wrapper over the filling once, and gently press down on each side of the filling to flatten it. Then, fold over both the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the middle. Finally, wet your fingers in some water and gently brush it onto the opposite corner of the wrapper to seal it shut.

Repeat the process until all the filling is used up, being careful not to overfill the wrappers, as this can cause them to tear during rolling or cooking.

Cooking the spring rolls

Once the filling is ready, it needs to be cooled completely before assembling the spring rolls. You can speed up this process by placing the mixture in the refrigerator. When the filling is cool, you can start assembling the spring rolls. Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface in front of you, with one of the corners facing you, so it resembles a diamond. Then, place a generous spoonful of the filling—about 2-3 tablespoons—in the centre of the wrapper.

Next, fold in the sides of the wrapper and roll it tightly from the bottom to the top, ensuring it is properly sealed. You can use a little water to seal the wrapper shut. Repeat this process until all the filling is used up.

Now, you are ready to cook the spring rolls in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F for 3-5 minutes. Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the spring rolls in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. Brush or spray the spring rolls with oil, and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

If you are cooking frozen spring rolls, you do not need to thaw them first. Simply add them directly to the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes at 400°F, turn them, and then cook for another 4 minutes.

Spring rolls are best served hot and can be paired with various dipping sauces, such as sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, or peanut sauce. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven.

Storing and reheating

Storing cooked spring rolls is not recommended as they tend to get soggy. They are best enjoyed straight after cooking. However, if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is the best option as it crisps up the spring rolls without using much oil. It is also easy and quick. To reheat spring rolls in an air fryer, first remove them from any packaging. Then, arrange the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space for proper air circulation. Set the temperature to between 340-400°F (180°C) and air fry for 3-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the spring rolls, as well as the air fryer model, so keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

You can also reheat spring rolls in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave, but these methods may not yield the same crispy texture. To reheat in the oven, preheat to 360°F/180°C and arrange the spring rolls on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until warmed through, flipping halfway through. For the stovetop, add half an inch of oil to a frying pan and fry for 3 minutes per side until golden. If using the microwave, do not cover the spring rolls and heat in short intervals to prevent them from becoming soggy or chewy.

Frequently asked questions