Description
If you’ve ever craved crispy, golden egg rolls at home but wanted a healthier alternative to deep frying, this Air Fryer Egg Rolls recipe is your answer. Packed with savory ground pork, crunchy cabbage, and fresh veggies, these egg rolls deliver bold flavors with every bite. Using an air fryer ensures they’re perfectly crispy with a fraction of the oil, making them a guilt-free treat. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces for the ultimate snack, appetizer, or meal addition. Whether you’re entertaining or just satisfying a craving, these air-fried egg rolls are guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
- 1/2 large Napa, Savoy, or green cabbage (shredded, about 4 cups)
- 1 large carrot (peeled and grated, about 1/2 cup)
- 1 large clove garlic (finely grated)
- 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger (grated, about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 large stalk celery (finely diced)
- 2 large scallions (finely chopped)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (optional)
- 1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts (or 1 cup drained canned bean sprouts)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 10 (7×7-inch) egg roll wrappers (thawed if frozen)
Instructions
Prepare the Filling
- Shred the cabbage until you have about 4 cups, and peel and grate the carrot until you have 1/2 cup.
- Grate the garlic and ginger, then dice the celery and chop the scallions.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced celery and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until it softens slightly.
- Add the grated garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground pork and sprinkle with Chinese five-spice powder if using. Cook for 3–4 minutes, breaking the pork into small pieces, until fully cooked and browned.
- Stir in the shredded cabbage and mung bean sprouts, cooking for 4 minutes until the cabbage wilts.
- Add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha (if using), and toasted sesame oil. Stir well to combine.
- Finally, stir in the grated carrot and scallions. Cook for 1 additional minute, then remove from heat. Let the filling cool for 15 minutes.
2. Assemble the Egg Rolls
- Prepare a small bowl of water and a pastry brush.
- Place an egg roll wrapper on a flat surface in a diamond shape. Keep the unused wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
- Place 1/4 cup of the filling near the bottom of the wrapper and shape it into a small rectangle.
- Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper over the filling, roll once, then fold in the left and right corners like an envelope.
- Brush the top corner with water and continue rolling tightly until sealed. Press firmly to close the edge. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
3. Air Fry the Egg Rolls
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Brush each egg roll with olive oil, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
- Place 5 egg rolls seam-side down in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not touching.
- Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the egg rolls and place them on a wire rack. Tent them with aluminum foil to keep warm while you cook the remaining batch.
4. Serve
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- Serve the egg rolls warm with your favorite dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or hoisin sauce.
Notes
- Don’t Overfill: Use about 1/4 cup of filling per egg roll to prevent the wrappers from tearing or bursting during cooking.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the pork with diced mushrooms or crumbled tofu for a meatless version.
- Freezer-Friendly: Assemble the egg rolls and freeze them uncooked. Air fry directly from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Crispier Egg Rolls: Brushing the egg rolls with oil before air frying ensures they come out golden and crispy.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Air-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired