Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Golden Crunch at Home (Print Version)

Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Get that golden crunch you love, minus the oil! My easy recipe delivers perfect, flavorful egg rolls every time.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Asian
Dietary: Contains Pork

# Ingredients:

→ Filling Essentials

01 - 1 lb ground pork (or chicken/turkey)
02 - 2 cups shredded cabbage (from a coleslaw mix, or fresh)
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
06 - 1 tsp sesame oil
07 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Wrapping it Up

09 - 12-15 egg roll wrappers
10 - 2 tbsp water (for sealing)
11 - 1-2 tsp neutral oil (for brushing)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that pork browned! I heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and crumble in the ground pork. Break it up really well with a spoon as it cooks. You want it nicely browned, no pink bits, honestly. Drain off any excess grease; nobody wants a soggy egg roll. Once it's cooked, toss in your shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Stir it all together until the veggies are slightly softened but still have a bit of bite—we're not making mush here. The smell at this stage? Divine, seriously, it just makes my kitchen feel so warm.
02 - Once your filling is cooked, let it cool down a bit. This is super important; trying to wrap hot filling makes the wrappers tear, and trust me, I've been there. A little patience goes a long way here, or pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface with a corner pointing towards you, like a diamond. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling just below the center. Don't overfill, that's another "oops" moment I've learned from; it makes them impossible to roll neatly.
03 - Now for the fun part! Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, tucking it in snugly. Then, fold in the left and right corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape. Brush a little water on the top corner—this is your glue! Roll the egg roll up tightly from the bottom towards that wet top corner. Make sure it's sealed well. If it feels loose, it might unravel in the air fryer, and we don't want that! I always make sure they're firm, a little squeeze confirms it. This step takes a bit of practice, but you'll get the hang of it!
04 - This is key for that beautiful golden color and extra crispiness for your egg rolls. Lightly brush or spray each rolled egg roll with a neutral oil, like avocado or canola oil. Don't drown them, just a light coating all around. I usually lay them out on a baking sheet and spritz them evenly. Honestly, I used to forget this step sometimes, and they'd come out a bit pale, so now it's a non-negotiable for me!
05 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't touching. This is where my "overloading" mistake comes in; give them space! Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and wonderfully crispy. Cooking times can vary a bit between air fryers, so keep an eye on them. You're looking for that deep, golden hue and a firm, crunchy feel.
06 - Once they're done, carefully remove the Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls from the basket. They'll be hot, so use tongs! Let them cool for just a minute or two before diving in. They are seriously the best right out of the air fryer. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce—sweet chili is my go-to, but soy sauce or even a little sriracha mayo works wonderfully. The exterior should be shatteringly crisp, and the filling savory and delicious. You'll hear that satisfying crunch with every bite!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket; cook in batches for truly crispy results, I learned this the hard way!
02 - Cooked egg rolls are best reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to regain crispness; microwaving makes them gummy.
03 - For a vegetarian twist, crumbled extra-firm tofu, seasoned well, makes a surprisingly delicious filling.
04 - Pair these egg rolls with a sweet chili dipping sauce and a cozy movie night; it’s my favorite combo!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - air fryer
03 - tongs
04 - small bowl
05 - pastry brush (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 15g

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