Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Air fryer egg rolls get a blistered, shatteringly crisp wrapper without a pot of frying oil. In about 10 minutes you have a golden roll filled with pork and cabbage, and the same method works for frozen egg rolls in the air fryer and for reheating leftovers. Here is how to roll them tight, how long to cook them at 400 °F and how to keep the wrapper from drying out.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 48min
- Prep time
- 25min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 350kcal
Why the air fryer works for egg rolls
An egg roll wrapper is a thin dough that needs fast, dry heat and a little oil to bubble and crisp. In a deep fryer, the oil does that in 3 minutes. In the air fryer, 400 °F air moving around the roll blisters the surface when you coat it with cooking spray, which gives you the crunch without the greasy finish.
The filling is already cooked before it goes into the wrapper, so the air fryer has only one job: crisp the outside and heat the center. That keeps the cooking time short and the vegetables bright. Air fryer egg rolls also hold their shape better than baking them in an oven, because the airflow reaches the bottom of every roll.
How to make egg rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cook the filling Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook for , breaking it up, until no pink remains. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the vegetables Stir in the coleslaw mix, soy sauce, sesame oil and scallions. Cook for until the cabbage wilts, then spread the filling on a plate and cool for . Warm filling steams the wrapper and makes it tear.
- Roll Place a wrapper with one corner toward you. Spoon about ¼ cup of filling just below the center. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, fold in both sides, roll up tightly and seal the last corner with a dab of water.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for . Spray the egg rolls well on all sides with cooking spray before they go into the basket, but not on the nonstick basket itself; the wrapper needs the oil to blister.
- Cook Place 4 egg rolls in a single layer with the seam side down. Air fry for 8 to , flipping after , until deep golden and crisp. The filling should reach 160 °F in the center. Repeat with the second batch.
- Rest Let the egg rolls rest for . The filling is hot, and the wrapper crisps further as it cools slightly.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Egg Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade pork, cooked fillingFlip after 5 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Frozen, store-boughtDo not thaw | 380 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Mini egg rolls | 400 °F (200 °C) | 6–7 min |
| Reheat leftover | 350 °F (180 °C) | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Cool the filling. Warm filling softens the wrapper and causes tears. Give it 10 minutes on a plate.
- Roll tightly and seal. Air in the roll means loose wrappers. Press out air as you roll and seal the last corner with water.
- Do not crowd. Leave a little space between rolls so hot air reaches every side, and cook in two batches for a 4 to 6 qt basket.
Egg rolls and spring rolls
Egg rolls use a thicker, bubbly wheat wrapper and a heartier cooked filling, so they come out crunchier and a bit chewier. Spring rolls use thinner wrappers and often have lighter, vegetable-forward fillings. If you prefer the lighter style, see spring rolls in the air fryer.
What to serve with egg rolls
Serve with sweet and sour sauce, duck sauce or hot mustard. For a full meal, add fried rice, steamed broccoli or broccoli in the air fryer and a side of chicken wings for a takeout-style spread. More ideas are in the dinner category.
Storing and reheating
Cooked egg rolls keep for 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping once, until crisp and 165 °F in the center. Uncooked, rolled egg rolls can be frozen on a tray, then bagged, for up to 2 months; cook them from frozen at 380 °F for 12 to 14 minutes.
Variations
- Chicken: Use ground chicken (cook to 165 °F) in place of pork.
- Cheesesteak: Fill with thinly sliced cooked steak, peppers, onions and provolone.
- Vegetarian: Use mushrooms, shredded carrots and cabbage with tofu.
- Pizza egg rolls: Fill with mozzarella, pepperoni and a spoonful of marinara.
If it does not turn out right
- The wrapper is tough and dry
- The wrapper did not get enough oil. Spray all sides before cooking and again after flipping. Seal the edges well so no filling steam escapes.
- The egg rolls burst open
- They were overfilled or rolled loosely. Use no more than ¼ cup of filling, tuck the sides in firmly and seal the final corner with water.
- The filling is watery
- Cook the cabbage until it releases its water and let the filling cool and drain on a plate. Wet filling makes the bottom of the wrapper soggy.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook egg rolls in the air fryer?
Fresh homemade egg rolls take 8 to 10 minutes at 400 °F, flipped halfway. Check that the pork filling reaches 160 °F.
Can you cook frozen egg rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen store-bought egg rolls at 380 °F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once, until the center reaches 165 °F. Do not thaw them first.
How do you reheat egg rolls in the air fryer?
Reheat at 350 °F for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping once, until crisp and hot in the center at 165 °F.
Can I make vegetarian egg rolls?
Yes. Replace the pork with 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms or crumbled tofu. You do not need a thermometer for the vegetarian version, but cook until golden.
What did you think of this recipe?
Be the first to rate this recipe.
