Air Fryer Cheesesteak Egg Rolls are a delicious and crispy snack, perfect as an appetizer or a main course. They are a fun twist on the traditional Philly Cheesesteak, with the same delicious flavours of beef, cheese, and vegetables, all wrapped up in a convenient, bite-sized package. The best part? They can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-fried egg rolls without sacrificing any of the taste or texture.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Prep Time | 15-35 minutes |
Cook Time | 7-60 minutes |
Servings | 12 egg rolls |
Calories | 71-251 kcal |
Main Ingredients | Steak, Peppers, Onions, Cheese, Egg Roll Wrappers |
Dipping Sauces | Cheese Sauce, Marinara, Sour Cream, Hot Sauce |
Filling | Combine cooked steak, peppers, and onions with cheese |
Rolling | Fold wrapper into triangle, then roll up tightly, sealing with water |
Air Fryer Temp | 350-390°F |
Air Fryer Time | 7-10 minutes |
What You'll Learn
Choosing your ingredients
When choosing your ingredients, it's important to consider the flavours you want to achieve and whether you want to stick to a traditional Philly cheesesteak or experiment with different variations.
For the meat, you can use either steak or ground beef. If you opt for steak, you can choose from shaved steak, frozen shaved steak, or thinly sliced ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak. Flank steak is a healthier option as it has a lower fat content. If you go for ground beef, extra lean ground beef is recommended.
The vegetables typically used are onions and bell peppers, specifically green bell peppers, but you can also add mushrooms and poblano peppers. You can adjust the amount of vegetables to your preference, dicing them into small pieces to incorporate nicely into the beef.
For the cheese, the traditional choice is provolone, but you can also use Swiss cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, or gruyere. You can also make a cheese sauce or use pre-shredded cheese.
Other ingredients include egg roll wrappers, avocado oil or olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and spices such as seasoned salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
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Preparing the filling
The filling for your cheesesteak egg rolls can be made with a variety of ingredients, but typically includes meat, vegetables, and cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing a delicious filling:
- Meat preparation: You can use different types of meat, such as flank steak, ribeye steak, ground beef, or shaved steak. If using steak, thinly slice it against the grain and season with spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. For ground beef, use a skillet to cook it over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon and adding spices to taste.
- Vegetable preparation: Finely dice onions and bell peppers (green or any colour of your choice). You can also add mushrooms. Sauté the vegetables in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Combine and cook: Combine the cooked meat and vegetables in the skillet and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cook for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
- Cheese addition: Add sliced or shredded cheese to the mixture. Provolone, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or cheddar are popular choices, but you can use any variety you prefer. Turn off the heat, cover the skillet, and let the cheese melt.
- Cooling: It's important to let the filling cool down before assembling the egg rolls. This will make the rolling process easier and prevent the cheese from melting too much.
- Optional additions: You can also add other ingredients to your filling, such as poblano peppers for a mild kick or tomato paste for extra flavour.
The filling is now ready to be used in your cheesesteak egg rolls! Remember to let it cool sufficiently before assembling, as this will make the rolling process much easier and help the egg rolls hold their shape.
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Rolling the egg rolls
Now that you have your cheesesteak filling ready, it's time to roll your egg rolls!
First, lay out your egg roll wrappers on a clean, dry surface. You'll want to work with one wrapper at a time to prevent them from drying out. Keep a damp (but not wet) paper towel over the remaining wrappers as you work.
For each wrapper, add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the steak filling in the centre. If you're using cheese, add it now—about half a slice or a sprinkle of shredded cheese should do the trick.
Now, it's time to roll! Position the egg roll wrapper so that it looks like a diamond facing you. Start by folding the bottom corner up, then fold in the left and right sides. Dip your finger in some water and run it along the top corner's edges. Finish rolling the wrapper, using the wet edge to seal the egg roll closed. Repeat this process until you've rolled all your egg rolls.
If your egg rolls are ready but you're not quite prepared to cook them, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a day. Just be sure to cover them tightly with plastic food wrap.
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Cooking the egg rolls
Now it's time to cook the egg rolls! For optimum crunchiness, it's best to cook them in two stages. First, air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, and then at 390 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
Before placing the egg rolls in the air fryer, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray. Place the egg rolls in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other, and spray the tops with more non-stick spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might need to cook the egg rolls in batches.
For the first stage, air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 390 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for another 3 minutes, flipping the egg rolls halfway through.
Once done, remove the egg rolls from the air fryer and let them cool before serving. Enjoy your crispy and delicious cheesesteak egg rolls!
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Dipping sauces
There are many different sauces that you can use to dip your cheesesteak egg rolls in. Here are some ideas:
- Ketchup mayo sauce: mix mayo, ketchup, and hot sauce in a bowl.
- Ranch
- Ketchup
- Sweet chili sauce
- Salsa: add diced jalapenos, mango or pineapple, or avocado for a creamy texture.
- Romesco sauce: a Spanish sauce made with roasted peppers, almonds, and olive oil, giving it a smoky, slightly sweet flavor. Mix with mayonnaise for a creamy dipping sauce.
- Creamy mushroom sauce: add garlic, fresh herbs, diced red peppers, chopped spinach, or Dijon mustard.
- Peanut sauce: add Sriracha, honey, garlic powder, or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Spinach pesto: add diced jalapenos, ground beef, ricotta cheese, or tomato paste.
- Creamy cilantro sauce: add hot sauce, lime juice, parsley, or chives.
- Roasted red pepper sauce: add diced jalapenos, chopped scallions, or crumbled bacon.
- Chimichurri sauce: add fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, or cilantro, diced tomatoes or olives, or olive oil.
- Tzatziki: swap out the traditional cucumber for a sweeter option like diced pineapple or mango, add cayenne pepper, or stir in fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or mint.
- Teriyaki sauce: add to the egg roll filling before wrapping, drizzle over the top of the egg rolls after frying, or use as a dip.
- Blender hollandaise: add chopped parsley or dill, mayonnaise, hot sauce, or grated Parmesan cheese.
- Salsa verde: add a spoonful on top of the egg rolls before frying, mix with the filling, or serve on the side.
- Sour cream with a drizzle of hot sauce
- Cheese sauce, such as queso blanco
- Barbecue sauce
- Asian chili sauce
- Cheez Whiz
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Frequently asked questions
You will need egg roll wrappers, flank steak or ground beef, onions, peppers, cheese, and seasonings.
Cook the steak, onions, and peppers in a skillet. Then, combine the cooked ingredients with cheese and seasonings in a bowl.
Place the filling and cheese on an egg roll wrapper, fold in two opposing corners, then roll up from the bottom corner. Use water to seal the top corner.
Cook the egg rolls at 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked egg rolls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. Cook frozen egg rolls in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.