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

Making frozen spring rolls in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy snack option. Requiring minimal preparation, this recipe is perfect for busy days when you crave a crispy, restaurant-style appetizer or side dish. The air fryer transforms frozen spring rolls into crispy, evenly cooked snacks in a matter of minutes, without the mess and hassle of deep frying or preheating a big oven.

Choosing your oil

When making frozen spring rolls in an air fryer, you can opt to use no oil at all. However, if you want to get that extra crispiness, brushing or spraying the spring rolls with a small amount of oil before cooking will do the trick.

The best types of oil to use are those with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, sesame oil, or peanut oil. Oils with strong odors, such as coconut oil, peanut oil, or ghee, may not taste the best with spring rolls, so it's best to stick to neutral-flavored oils.

If you want to spray the spring rolls with oil, be sure to use a cooking spray that is 100% oil without any propellants, as these can damage the non-stick lining of your air fryer basket.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen spring rolls. It ensures that your spring rolls cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer:

Firstly, it is important to note that preheating is not always necessary when using an air fryer. Some recipes and cooking methods may suggest starting with a cold air fryer, so always check your specific recipe. However, for frozen spring rolls, preheating is generally recommended.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the desired temperature. Most recipes for frozen spring rolls recommend preheating your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure that your spring rolls cook through and become crispy.

The preheating time can vary depending on your air fryer model, but it usually takes around 2-5 minutes to preheat an air fryer to 400°F. You'll know your air fryer is preheated when it reaches the set temperature. Some models may have a preheat setting or an indicator light to signal that it's ready. If not, you can use an air fryer thermometer to check the temperature.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your spring rolls. Brush them with a thin layer of oil, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or another high-heat oil. This step will help ensure a crispy exterior. You can also prepare your dipping sauces during this time.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can carefully place the spring rolls inside. It is important to arrange the spring rolls in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the spring rolls in batches. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess. If you are cooking a large batch, it is better to cook them in multiple batches to ensure the best results.

In summary, preheating your air fryer is an important step in making frozen spring rolls. Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F, and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. During this time, you can prepare your spring rolls by brushing them with oil. Once preheated, place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.

Preparing the spring rolls

Firstly, take the frozen spring rolls out of the freezer and unbox them. You can use any brand of frozen spring rolls, and they can be vegetarian, vegan, or meat-filled.

Next, brush or spray the spring rolls with a high-heat oil, such as avocado, vegetable, grapeseed, sesame, or a neutral-flavoured oil. This step is optional, but it will help to create a crispy exterior.

Now, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, you can brush or spray the other side of the spring rolls with oil.

Once preheated, place the spring rolls inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. It is important to cook them in batches if you are preparing a large quantity, as overcrowding the basket will lead to soggy spring rolls.

Depending on the size of your spring rolls, cook them for 4-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). For smaller spring rolls, reduce the cooking time to 6-7 minutes, and for larger spring rolls, increase the time to 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, remove the basket and flip the spring rolls to ensure even cooking.

Finally, remove the spring rolls from the air fryer and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Cooking the spring rolls

The great thing about cooking frozen spring rolls in an air fryer is that it's quick, easy, and mess-free. You can also get them super crispy without having to use much oil.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C or 204°C). While the air fryer is preheating, brush or spray the frozen spring rolls with a high-heat oil such as avocado, grapeseed, or vegetable oil. You can also use sesame oil or a neutral-flavoured oil like rapeseed oil, but avoid oils with a low smoke point.

Next, place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. This ensures that air can circulate and that they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the spring rolls in batches.

Cook the spring rolls for 4 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 4 minutes or until golden brown. If your spring rolls are larger, you may need to increase the cooking time to 5 or 6 minutes per side. For smaller spring rolls, reduce the cooking time to 3 or 4 minutes per side.

Once the spring rolls are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dipping sauce. Some popular options include sweet chilli sauce, peanut sauce, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce.

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also cook frozen spring rolls in the oven, on the stovetop, or in a regular fryer.

Serving the spring rolls

Now that your spring rolls are cooked to perfection, it's time to serve them! Here are some tips and suggestions to make your spring roll serving a delightful experience:

Dipping Sauces:

The key to enhancing the flavour of your spring rolls is to serve them with a variety of dipping sauces. You can offer your guests a selection of sauces to choose from, such as sweet chilli sauce, dark soy sauce, peanut sauce, hoisin sauce, spicy ketchup, garlic cilantro sauce, or even a combination of sweet chilli and dark soy sauce.

Storage and Reheating:

If you have any leftover spring rolls, it's best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for a day or two. When you're ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them in the air fryer at 340°F for 3-4 minutes.

Serving Size and Presentation:

Spring rolls make a great appetiser or snack, but they can also be part of a larger meal. Consider serving them as a side dish or pairing them with other Asian-inspired dishes to create a complete meal. For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, make sure to cook enough spring rolls, and present them on a platter with the dipping sauces in small bowls.

Customisation:

Spring rolls are versatile and can be customised to your taste preferences. You can experiment with different fillings, such as pork, chicken, turkey, or keep them vegetarian. Additionally, you can serve them with a variety of sauces to cater to different taste buds.

Freshness and Texture:

Spring rolls are at their best when served fresh out of the air fryer. They tend to lose their crispiness over time, so it's recommended to eat them immediately after cooking. If you have leftovers, follow the reheating instructions to restore some of the crispiness.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy spring rolls, and don't forget to dip them in your favourite sauces!

Frequently asked questions