Air Fryer Spring Rolls
Deep-fried spring rolls are crisp but greasy, and the oven often leaves the wrappers dry and pale. Air fryer spring rolls give you a blistered, golden shell with a thin brush of oil, whether you roll your own vegetable filling or cook a frozen bag. This recipe covers homemade rolls first, then the times for frozen spring rolls in the air fryer, mini rolls and rice paper wrappers.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 59min
- Prep time
- 25min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 230kcal
Why the air fryer works for spring rolls
A spring roll is a thin wheat wrapper around a moist filling. In a deep fryer the wrapper blisters and crisps in hot oil within a couple of minutes. The air fryer does the same with fast, dry heat and a coat of oil on the outside, so the wrapper puffs into little bubbles and turns crisp and golden while the filling steams inside.
Oil on the surface is the key to browning, and the filling's moisture is the key to avoiding sogginess. Dry, cooled vegetables and a tight roll give you a crisp wrapper. The same principle holds for frozen spring rolls, which are already formed and need only a short, hot cook time.
How to make spring 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. Cook the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, then add the cabbage, carrot and mushrooms and cook for until the vegetables are soft and the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the scallions, soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Cool the filling Spread the filling on a plate and let it cool for . Hot or wet filling makes the wrappers soggy and tear, so it should be dry and only lukewarm.
- Roll Place a wrapper with one corner toward you and spoon about ¼ cup of filling on the lower third. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, fold in both sides, roll up tightly and seal the last corner with the cornstarch paste.
- Spray and cook Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . Spray the rolls on all sides with cooking spray. Place 4 rolls in the basket, seam side down, without touching. Cook for , flipping after , then repeat with the rest.
- Check and serve The rolls should be deep golden and blistered, and crackle when you tap them. Let them rest for , because the filling is very hot, then serve with a dipping sauce.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Spring Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade vegetableFlip after 6 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Frozen, regular sizeNo thawing | 375 °F (190 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Frozen mini | 375 °F (190 °C) | 6–8 min |
| Rice paper, cooked fillingBrush with oil | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Reheating | 350 °F (180 °C) | 3–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Frozen foods in the air fryer – times from frozen
Tips
- Keep the rolls apart. Rolls that touch stick together and tear when you flip them. Leave a little gap between each one.
- Wrap tightly, not overstuffed. About ¼ cup of filling per roll is enough. Trapped air makes the wrapper burst.
- Check frozen rolls with meat. Chicken, pork or shrimp rolls should be hot through to 165 °F, so check one with a thermometer.
What to serve with spring rolls
Serve spring rolls with sweet chili sauce, duck sauce or a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar and a little chili. For a full dinner, add fried rice, a cucumber salad or air fryer shrimp. They also fit on a party platter next to chicken wings and mushrooms.
Storing and reheating
Cooked spring rolls keep for 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–5 minutes, and make sure rolls with a meat filling reach 165 °F. Uncooked homemade rolls freeze well on a tray for 2 hours, then in a bag for 3 months, and they cook from frozen at 375 °F for 12–14 minutes.
Variations
- Chicken spring rolls: Add ½ cup finely shredded cooked chicken to the filling, and heat the rolls until they reach 165 °F.
- Cabbage and tofu: Add ½ cup crumbled firm tofu, pressed dry, to the skillet with the vegetables.
- Sweet: Fill a wrapper with sliced banana and a little brown sugar, roll and cook at 350 °F for 8 minutes.
- Extra crispy: For a deeper color, brush the rolls with sesame oil instead of using spray.
If it does not turn out right
- The wrappers are pale and dry
- They need more oil. Spray every side evenly until the wrapper looks slightly wet, and always preheat the basket before adding the rolls.
- The rolls burst open
- Too much filling or a loose seal. Use about ¼ cup of filling per roll, roll tightly and seal the end with the cornstarch paste. Place the rolls seam side down.
- The rolls are soggy inside
- The filling was wet. Cook the vegetables until the liquid has evaporated and cool the filling completely before rolling.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook frozen spring rolls in the air fryer?
8–10 minutes at 375 °F, flipped halfway, straight from frozen. Mini spring rolls need 6–8 minutes. Rolls with meat or shrimp should reach 165 °F in the center.
Can you cook homemade spring rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Use dry, cooled filling, wrap the rolls tightly, spray them with oil and cook at 375 °F for 10–12 minutes. Wet batter does not work, but a filled wrapper does.
Can you air fry rice paper rolls?
Rice paper rolls with a cooked filling can be air fried, brushed with oil, at 375 °F for 10–12 minutes. They come out bubbly and crisp rather than flaky. Fresh, uncooked summer rolls should not be air fried.
How do you reheat spring rolls in the air fryer?
Heat them at 350 °F for 3–5 minutes until crisp and hot. This works much better than the microwave.
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