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

Making vegetable egg rolls in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with a fraction of the mess and time. The air fryer's circulating air cooks the food evenly, resulting in a crispy texture without the need for excessive oil. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious veggie egg rolls with a crunchy exterior.

Choosing and preparing your vegetables

Selecting the Right Vegetables:

• The beauty of veggie egg rolls is that you can choose from a wide range of vegetables to create your unique filling. Popular choices include cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and onions.
• Feel free to mix and match different vegetables based on your taste preferences. You can also experiment with other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or spinach for added variety.

Preparing the Vegetable Filling:

• Chop and Shred: Start by chopping and shredding your selected vegetables into thin, uniform strips. This ensures even cooking and makes your egg rolls easier to bite into.
• Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a small amount of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sturdier vegetables like cabbage and carrots first. Stir-fry them for a few minutes until they become slightly tender yet retain a crisp texture. Then, add the rest of your chosen vegetables and cook for a few more minutes.
• Seasoning: Don't forget to season your vegetable mixture with essential spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Mix well to ensure the vegetables absorb these flavors.
• Optional Protein Boost: If you wish to add protein to your egg rolls, this is the step to do so. You can incorporate diced tofu, cooked chicken, or shrimp. Simply stir-fry them along with the vegetables until they are heated through, allowing their flavors to infuse into the filling.
• Cool It Down: Once your filling is cooked to perfection, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely. This step is crucial for two reasons: it ensures that the mixture is safe to handle, and it prevents the egg roll wrappers from becoming soggy when you start assembling your egg rolls.

Now that your vegetable filling is ready, it's time to move on to the next step of assembling and air-frying your veggie egg rolls!

Sautéing the vegetables

• Chop and Shred the Vegetables: Start by cutting your chosen vegetables—such as cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, or onions—into thin, uniform strips. This ensures even cooking and makes your egg rolls easier to bite into.
• Heat Oil in a Pan: Heat a small amount of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. You can use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or grapeseed oil.
• Stir-Fry Sturdier Vegetables First: Begin by adding the harder, sturdier vegetables to the pan. For example, add cabbage and carrots first and stir-fry them for a few minutes until they become slightly tender yet still maintain a bit of crispness.
• Add Remaining Vegetables: Toss in the rest of your selected vegetables and continue cooking for a few more minutes. You can include a variety of veggies like bell peppers, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and onions.
• Season the Vegetables: To enhance the flavor, season the vegetables with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
• Optional: Add Protein: If you want to include protein in your egg rolls, this is the step to do so. Add diced tofu, cooked chicken, or shrimp to the pan and stir-fry until heated through. This infuses the protein with the flavors of the vegetables.
• Remove from Heat and Cool: Once your filling is cooked to your desired tenderness, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool completely. This step is important for food safety and also prevents the egg roll wrappers from becoming soggy when you assemble them.

By following these steps, you'll create a delicious and flavorful vegetable filling for your egg rolls, setting the foundation for a successful and tasty air-fried veggie egg roll experience!

Adding protein

Choose Your Protein Source:

• Diced tofu: Extra-firm tofu can be pressed to release excess liquid and then crumbled into small pieces. Tofu is a fantastic plant-based protein option that absorbs the flavours of the other ingredients beautifully.
• Cooked chicken: Ground chicken or chicken breast works well. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and cornstarch for extra flavour and tenderness. Cook the chicken until it's no longer pink, and then add your vegetables to the pan.
• Cooked shrimp: Shrimp is a delicious and quick-cooking option for your egg rolls. Make sure to cook the shrimp thoroughly before adding them to your filling.
• Other options: You can also use ground pork, ground beef, or crispy air fryer tofu. Just make sure that your protein of choice is fully cooked before adding it to your egg roll filling.

Prepare and Cook the Protein:

• If you're using tofu, be sure to press it to remove excess liquid. Crumble or dice the tofu into small pieces before adding it to your filling.
• For chicken or shrimp, cook them separately before adding them to your filling. This ensures they are cooked properly and infused with flavour.
• If using ground meats, cook them thoroughly in a pan before adding the vegetables and other ingredients.

Combine Protein with Vegetables:

• Once your protein is cooked, combine it with your vegetables in the pan. Stir-fry everything together until heated through and well combined.
• Season your filling with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.

Assemble and Air Fry:

• Assemble your egg rolls by placing a spoonful of the filling onto an egg roll wrapper. Be careful not to overstuff, as this may cause the egg roll to burst.
• Roll the egg rolls tightly, making sure to seal the edges with a bit of water or beaten egg.
• Preheat your air fryer and place the egg rolls inside, making sure they don't touch. Lightly brush or spray the rolls with oil for a golden, crispy exterior.
• Air fry at 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Rolling the egg rolls

Now that you've gathered and cooked your filling, it's time to assemble your egg rolls.

First, lay out your egg roll wrappers on a clean surface, forming a diamond shape. Position the wrapper so that one corner is pointing towards you. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper, being careful not to overstuff.

Next, fold the corner closest to you up and over the filling. Then, fold in the left and right corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape. Starting from the bottom, continue rolling the wrapper up and away from you, tucking in the filling as you go. You can use a pastry brush to apply a small amount of water to the top corner of the wrapper to seal the egg roll.

Repeat this process until you have used up all your filling. You should end up with about 4-6 egg rolls, depending on how much filling you use in each one.

Once your egg rolls are assembled, it's time to cook them in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Lightly brush or spray the rolls with oil to promote browning and crisping. Place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook at the recommended temperature for about 6-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy vegetable egg rolls cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Air frying the egg rolls

Preheat Your Air Fryer:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and that desirable crispness. Refer to your air fryer's instructions manual for the recommended preheating temperature and timings.

Prepare the Egg Rolls:

Place the egg rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. It is important to give them space so that hot air can circulate around them. You may need to cook the egg rolls in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Brush or Spray with Oil:

Lightly brush or spray the egg rolls with oil. This step will encourage browning and help you achieve that perfect golden colour.

Air Frying Time and Temperature:

Now, it's time to air fry! Cook your egg rolls at the recommended temperature for approximately 10-12 minutes. You will need to flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.

Check for Doneness:

Your egg rolls are done when they turn golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the cooking time to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once your veggie egg rolls are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down slightly before serving. Pair them with your favourite dipping sauce and savour the crispy, delicious goodness.

Tips for Success:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
• Brush or spray the egg rolls with oil for enhanced browning and crispness.
• Keep an eye on your egg rolls during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or burning.
• For an extra crispy exterior, spray the egg rolls with non-stick cooking spray before air frying.

Air frying vegetable egg rolls is a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy egg rolls with less oil and less mess. Enjoy your homemade veggie egg rolls!

Frequently asked questions