Air-Fryer Chinese Egg Rolls: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making Chinese egg rolls in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer cuts down on the mess, time, and oil needed to make egg rolls, without compromising on the taste and texture. You can use a variety of fillings, from pork to chicken, and even vegetarian options like tofu. The key to getting the perfect crispy texture is to make sure the egg rolls are not touching in the air fryer basket, and to flip them halfway through.

Choosing and preparing your filling

When it comes to choosing and preparing your filling, the options are endless. You can go the traditional route and use ground pork with ginger, garlic, scallion, carrot, and cabbage. Or, you can get creative and use whatever proteins and vegetables you have on hand. Just make sure your filling is well-seasoned and tastes good before you wrap it up.

Chinese Takeout-Style Filling:

• Cook the ground pork in a large skillet until it is cooked through.
• Add the veggies (ginger, garlic, scallion, carrot, and cabbage) and cook until they are wilted, which should take a few minutes.
• Season the filling with soy sauce and rice wine vinegar.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Chicken and Vegetable Filling:

• Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant.
• Add the coleslaw mix and cook until the cabbage is wilted.
• Add the ground chicken, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha. Stir-fry the chicken while breaking it up for 3-4 minutes.
• Once the chicken is cooked and there is no liquid left in the pan, stir in the green onions and remove from the heat.

Ground Turkey Filling:

• In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey in sesame oil and season with Chinese five-spice, ground pepper, and chopped green onion.
• Add in coleslaw mix and water. Saute until just soft, about 4-5 minutes.

Remember, the key to a good egg roll is a well-seasoned and tasty filling. Don't be afraid to experiment and add your own twist to the filling. You can also make the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble your egg rolls.

Rolling your egg rolls

Now it's time to start rolling! Take the corner closest to you and fold it over the filling. Then, fold in the left and right corners, and continue rolling the wrapper away from you, as if you were rolling a burrito. Make sure you roll it up tightly! You can use a little water to seal the edges of the wrapper as you go, and press gently to adhere.

Repeat this process until you've used up all your filling.

Cooking your egg rolls in the air fryer

Now that your egg rolls are assembled, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly brush or spray the basket of your air fryer with oil. This will prevent the egg rolls from sticking and ensure even cooking.
• Brush the egg rolls with oil: Brush a very small amount of oil on both sides of the egg rolls. This will help to crisp up the shell. You can use a cooking spray or brush them lightly with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice.
• Place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket: Place the prepared egg rolls seam-side down in the basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. It's important to give them enough space to allow proper air circulation for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Set the temperature and cooking time: Close the air fryer and set the temperature to between 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, but on average, it should take around 6 minutes per side, or a total of 12-14 minutes.
• Flip the egg rolls halfway through: Use tongs to carefully turn the egg rolls over halfway through the cooking process. This will ensure even browning and crisping on both sides.
• Transfer to a paper bag or newspaper: Once the egg rolls are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a sheet of newspaper or a brown paper bag to absorb any excess oil.
• Cook remaining batches: If you have more egg rolls to cook, continue working in batches until they are all done. You can keep the cooked egg rolls warm in a low oven (around 200-225 degrees Fahrenheit) while you cook the remaining batches.

And that's it! Your Chinese egg rolls are now ready to be served. Enjoy them as an appetizer, a light meal, or a party side dish. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces such as sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce, or hot mustard.

Storing and reheating your egg rolls

Storing Your Egg Rolls:

• Refrigeration: Place the egg rolls in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
• Freezing: If you want to store them for longer, freezing is a good option. First, separate the egg rolls with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Then, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Label the container with the current date. Egg rolls can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Reheating Your Egg Rolls:

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). Place the egg rolls in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't touch. Lightly coat them with cooking oil for extra crispness. Reheat smaller egg rolls for 1-3 minutes, and larger ones for a bit longer. Avoid high temperatures, as this can overcook the outside while leaving the inside cold.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the egg rolls on a foil-covered baking sheet to prevent sticking. Reheat for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For a crispier exterior, increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C) and monitor closely to prevent burning.
• Stovetop: Choose a skillet and add enough cooking oil to lightly coat the bottom. Preheat the oil over medium heat. Place the egg rolls in the skillet and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even heating. Once crispy, transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• Microwave: Place the egg rolls on a microwave-safe plate, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cover them with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Reheat on medium-high power in short bursts of 15-30 seconds, checking after each interval.

Remember, the key to successful reheating is to ensure the egg rolls are heated thoroughly while maintaining their signature crispiness. Enjoy your delicious Chinese egg rolls!

Dipping sauces and condiments

There are many different sauces and condiments that you can use to elevate the flavour of your Chinese egg rolls. Here are some ideas:

Soy-Based Sauces

Soy sauce is a popular base for many egg roll dipping sauces. You can make a simple sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and sesame oil. For a teriyaki sauce, add some brown sugar to the mixture and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. If you want a thicker glaze, whisk in some cornstarch, bring the mixture to a boil, and cook for one minute. Alternatively, you can make a sweet soy sauce by whisking together soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, minced garlic, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and sliced green onions.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a great option as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, especially if you want a gluten-free, soy-free, or paleo option. You can make your own by blending hoisin sauce, sweet chilli sauce, water, and almond or nut butter of your choice.

Peanut Sauce

A peanut dipping sauce can be made with peanut butter, honey or brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sriracha chilli sauce to taste. Or, for a simpler peanut sauce, just use peanut butter, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and sour sauce is a classic pairing with egg rolls. You can make your own by blending ketchup, distilled white vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic salt.

Spicy Mango Dipping Sauce

For a fruity option, try a spicy mango dipping sauce made with red onion, sweet chilli sauce, and frozen mango chunks.

Other Options

Other dipping sauces that pair well with egg rolls include plum sauce, gyoza dipping sauce, garlic honey soy sauce, and nước chấm (a Vietnamese dipping sauce that is sweet, savoury, and tangy).

Frequently asked questions