
Getting these egg rolls just right took lots of trial and error. I craved that crunchy, savory bite from my favorite takeout spot, minus the greasy splatter. So I kept playing with fresh veggies and different seasonings until the air fryer made every bite shatteringly crisp on the outside with a juicy burst on the inside. My crew skips the delivery apps now—I'm happy to whip up these bad boys anytime.
Irresistible Kitchen Magic
The cool thing about these? You bite in and the outside is super crunchy, all thanks to barely any oil. The inside stays nice and juicy. My neighbor followed her nose the other day and now churns out her own batch every week. Her family even says they're tastier than anything they've ordered in.
What Goes In
- Crunchy wrappers: Find them in the produce section—stash the extras in your freezer for later.
- Oil spray: Just a bit helps turn them beautifully golden without drenching in oil.
- Veggies: Grab fresh cabbage, some carrots, or just dump in a bag of coleslaw mix if you want things easy.
- Aromatics: A combo of chopped green onions, grated ginger, and garlic really makes it pop.
- Protein: Ground pork is classic, but I swap in chicken or tofu when I feel like switching it up.
- Seasonings: Splash in soy sauce and a dash of rice vinegar to tie everything together.
Let’s Get Rolling
- Get the air fryer ready:
- Turn it up to 375°F and preheat while you work on everything else. Spray your egg rolls with a bit of oil right before they go in. Flip them halfway, about six minutes in, and let them finish for a total of 12 minutes till they’re crisp and golden all over.
- Wrapping fun:
- Line up a wrapper like a diamond, pop the filling in the center, fold the bottom point up, then tuck the sides tight before you roll it up. Press the edge with a dab of water to keep everything sealed.
- Time to add flavor:
- Pour the soy sauce and rice vinegar into your cooked veggies and meat, stirring until everything smells amazing. Make sure it cools down a bit before wrapping, so the wrappers stay strong.
- Whip up the filling:
- Crumble and brown pork in your pan first. Add all the chopped veggies next, cooking them till softened and full of meaty flavor. Toss in ginger and garlic, and let the aromas fill your kitchen.
Pro Tips
Here’s what I’ve figured out from making tons of these: Don’t pile in too much filling or the wrappers might pop open. That little mist of oil makes all the difference for getting the color right. Keep a towel over your wrappers as you go—leaving them out makes them crack.
Great With These
Dipping sauces are where the magic gets personal—sweet chili happens to be everyone’s top pick in our house. Sometimes we shake up a quick spicy mayo, or just dunk in soy sauce. Pair these egg rolls with fried rice or toss them with noodles, and you've got a real feast at home.
Stash Some For Next Time
These keep really well in the fridge for five days easy. Hit them with a few minutes in the air fryer and they go right back to crispy. Freeze any extras once they’re cooked. Wrap them up, and they’re good for months down the road.
Switch It Up
If you want to play around, try ground turkey or chicken instead of pork. Toss in stuff like mushrooms or crunchy water chestnuts for a different bite. There’s so many ways to change it up—why stick to just one style?
Takeout Night, DIY Style
We honestly prefer making these air fryer egg rolls ourselves now. Perfect when you want something crunchy but don’t want it heavy. It’s super fun seeing that wrapper go all golden brown and crackly—and even better when you get to eat it fresh right at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it possible to make these rolls without using an air fryer?
Sure thing, you don’t have to use an air fryer. You can fry them right on the stove instead. Just pour about a half-inch of oil in a pan, heat it to 350°F, and cook your rolls 3–4 minutes per side ’til super crispy.
- → Could I get the filling ready ahead of time?
Absolutely, making the filling ahead will save you lots of time. It keeps well in the fridge, so you can roll and cook later when you’re hungry or planning meals.
- → What tastes good with these rolls?
Dipping sauces make everything better! Think duck sauce, plum sauce, soy sauce, sweet chili, or even something you whip up yourself.
- → Can I swap out the meat or skip it?
You aren’t stuck with pork or chicken. Try Turkey, or for a meatless roll, go with mushrooms or crumbled tofu. Just sprinkle in your favorite flavor boosts.
- → Best way to keep leftover rolls fresh?
Pop cooled egg rolls into an airtight container and stash in the fridge up to four days. Want them crisp again? Just heat ’em in your air fryer for a few minutes.