Air Fryer Egg Rolls Recipe

Shredded cabbage: adds crunch and a fresh, mild flavor to the filling

Shredded carrots: brings sweetness and color

Chopped green onions: gives a mild onion taste that brightens the mix

Soy sauce: adds a salty, savory depth

Sesame oil: gives a nutty aroma and rich flavor

Egg roll wrappers: the thin dough that holds everything together and crisps up nicely

Shredded cooked chicken: optional, for extra protein and heartiness

One of the trickiest parts of making egg rolls is folding and sealing the wrappers so the filling doesn’t spill out while cooking. Here’s a simple way to do it that helps keep everything snug inside:

1. Put a small spoonful of the filling right in the center of the egg roll wrapper.
2. Fold the left and right sides of the wrapper over the filling, like closing little doors.
3. Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the wrapper tightly toward the opposite side.
4. Before you finish rolling, dip your finger in a little water and run it along the edge of the wrapper to make it sticky.
5. Press that edge down firmly to seal the roll.

Doing this step carefully makes a big difference because it keeps the filling inside while the egg rolls cook in the air fryer. If the edges aren’t sealed well, the filling can leak out and make a mess or cause the rolls to fall apart. Plus, a tight roll means the egg roll stays crispy all around.

When I first tried this, I didn’t use enough water to seal the edges, and my rolls opened up during cooking. It was a little frustrating, but once I started using just a bit more water and pressing the edges firmly, everything stayed together perfectly. Also, rolling tightly but not too hard helps keep the filling from squishing out.

If you want a shortcut, you can prepare all your rolls on a tray and cover them with a damp towel while you finish rolling the rest. This keeps the wrappers from drying out and cracking before they go into the air fryer. It makes the whole process smoother and your egg rolls even better!

• shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce provides a similar crunch and texture, though it has a milder flavor.

• shredded carrots - Substitute with shredded zucchini: Shredded zucchini offers a similar texture and moisture content, adding a slightly different but pleasant flavor.

• chopped green onions - Substitute with chopped chives: Chopped chives have a similar mild onion flavor and can be used in the same quantity.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can replace sesame oil, though it lacks the nutty flavor; adding a small amount of toasted sesame seeds can help mimic the taste.

• egg roll wrappers - Substitute with spring roll wrappers: Spring roll wrappers are thinner but can be used similarly, providing a different texture.

• shredded cooked chicken - Substitute with shredded cooked tofu: Shredded cooked tofu is a great vegetarian alternative that absorbs flavors well and provides a similar texture.

• Allow the egg rolls to cool completely after cooking. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Store the cooled egg rolls in an airtight container. Line the container with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
• Place the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the egg rolls within 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, arrange the cooled egg rolls on a baking sheet in a single layer. Ensure they are not touching each other.
• Freeze the egg rolls on the baking sheet for about 1-2 hours, or until they are solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Transfer the frozen egg rolls to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover egg rolls in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy again.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until they are hot and crispy.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the egg rolls in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are heated through and the wrappers are crispy.

• Microwave Method: Place the egg rolls on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through. Note that this method may not retain the crispiness as well as the others.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the cabbage, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and shredded chicken if using.

• Air fryer: Appliance used to cook the egg rolls, making them golden and crispy without deep frying.

• Cooking spray: Lightly sprayed on the egg rolls to help them crisp up in the air fryer.

• Knife: Used to chop the green onions and shred the cabbage and carrots if not pre-shredded.

• Cutting board: Surface for chopping and shredding vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the cabbage, carrots, green onions, and shredded chicken.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the soy sauce and sesame oil.

• Spoon: Used to place the filling mixture onto the egg roll wrappers.

• Small bowl of water: Used to seal the edges of the egg roll wrappers.

• Air fryer basket: The part of the air fryer where the egg rolls are placed in a single layer for cooking.

Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the cabbage, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil ahead of time and store in the fridge.

Use pre-shredded vegetables: Save time by buying pre-shredded cabbage and carrots from the store.

Cook chicken beforehand: If using chicken, cook and shred it in advance to streamline the process.

Assemble in batches: Lay out multiple egg roll wrappers and fill them all at once to speed up assembly.

Preheat the air fryer: Ensure the air fryer is preheated to 400°F (200°C) before you start cooking to reduce waiting time.