Air-Fryer Egg Rolls: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Making egg rolls in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer method produces a crunchy exterior with a tender filling, without the extra fat from frying or the dryness from oven cooking. It's also a lot less messy than deep-frying, as there's no hot oil to splatter all over your kitchen.

How to assemble the egg rolls

To assemble the egg rolls, first set up your wrapping station with a plate or cutting board, your cooked filling, a small dish of water, and a pastry brush. Place an egg roll wrapper on your surface, shaping it like a diamond with one point at the bottom, pointing towards you.

Next, place your filling in the middle of the wrapper. The amount of filling will vary depending on the size of your wrapper and the type of filling you are using, but it should be somewhere between one and three tablespoons.

Now, it's time to start rolling! Take the bottom point of the diamond and roll it up and over the filling until it reaches the centre of the wrapper. Then, fold in the left side of the wrapper, followed by the right side, so that they meet in the middle. Finally, continue rolling the egg roll away from you until you reach the top point of the wrapper.

To seal the egg roll, brush some water along the top point of the wrapper and fold it down. You may need to add a little extra water to the edges to ensure that the egg roll is completely sealed. Repeat these steps until you have used up all your filling.

If you are not planning to cook your egg rolls right away, you can store them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Simply place a lightly damp cloth over them and put them in an airtight container.

How to cook the filling

To make the filling for your egg rolls, you'll need to cook your chosen ingredients in a pan or skillet before assembling the rolls and cooking them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

You can fill your egg rolls with a variety of ingredients, but a typical combination includes:

• Vegetable oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Celery
• Ground chicken
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Sriracha
• Green onions
• Salt
• Rice wine vinegar
• Carrots
• Scallions
• Cabbage

Method

• Heat some vegetable oil in a pan or skillet over medium heat.
• Add your garlic, ginger, and celery, and cook until fragrant.
• Put in the ground chicken and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
• Add the remaining ingredients, such as cabbage, carrots, scallions, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar. Cook until the vegetables are wilted and soft.
• Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool.
• Taste the filling and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Once your filling is ready, you can start assembling your egg rolls by placing a tablespoon or two of the filling onto each wrapper and rolling them up tightly. Then, you can cook them in your air fryer at 350-400°F for about 6 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

How to air fry the egg rolls

Step 1: Prepare the filling

First, cook your filling ingredients in a pan. This can include ground pork or chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrot, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar. Cook the meat first, and then add the vegetables and other ingredients.

Step 2: Assemble the egg rolls

Place the filling in the centre of an egg roll wrapper, fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly. Seal the edges by brushing them with water or a beaten egg.

Step 3: Air fry the egg rolls

Place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not stacked or touching. Brush or spray the egg rolls with oil, and air fry for about 6 minutes per side at around 360-400°F.

How to store and reheat the egg rolls

To store your egg rolls, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.

If you want to freeze your egg rolls, wrap them in plastic wrap or foil and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat your egg rolls, you can use a microwave, pan, deep fryer, air fryer, oven, or toaster oven. Here are the instructions for each method:

Microwave: Wrap the egg rolls in a paper towel and heat on high for 30 seconds. Flip and heat for another 15-30 seconds until heated through.

Pan or Deep Fryer: Add some canola oil to a pan and heat it up. Place the egg rolls in the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes, flipping continuously to cook evenly. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Place the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded. Reheat for 1-4 minutes, depending on the size of the egg rolls.

Oven or Toaster Oven: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Place the egg rolls on a foil-covered baking sheet and heat for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F.

Microwave and Oven Combo: Start by heating the egg rolls in the microwave on low for 2 minutes. Brush or spray the egg rolls with oil and transfer them to a preheated oven at 425 degrees F. Heat for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisped.

How to freeze the egg rolls

Freezing egg rolls is a great way to make them last longer and have a quick snack or appetizer ready to go! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to freeze egg rolls:

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Rolls

Before freezing, you can choose to prepare the egg rolls in two ways:

• Freeze them raw: Prepare the filling and assemble the egg rolls as directed by your recipe. However, do not cook them.
• Freeze them cooked: Prepare and cook the egg rolls as you normally would, and then let them cool completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Flash Freeze

Place the uncooked or cooked egg rolls on a baking sheet or tray, making sure they are not touching each other. This step is called flash freezing and ensures that the egg rolls do not freeze together in a clump. Leave them in the freezer for about an hour to an hour and a half.

Step 3: Transfer to an Airtight Container

Once the egg rolls are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. You can use a ziplock bag or a freezer-safe container. Place the egg rolls inside and seal the bag or container tightly.

Step 4: Label and Store

Label the container or bag with the date and contents. Store the frozen egg rolls in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

Step 5: Reheating

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen egg rolls, you can reheat them without thawing first. Here are some reheating options:

• Air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and place the frozen egg rolls inside. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the frozen egg rolls on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• Frying: If you prefer, you can also fry the frozen egg rolls. Heat oil in a deep pan or pot to 375°F (190°C). Carefully place the frozen egg rolls into the hot oil and fry for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Enjoy your crispy, delicious egg rolls!

Frequently asked questions