Air Fryers can be used to cook spring rolls or egg rolls whether freshly made or frozen… The advantages are obvious: no need for a deep fat fryer, less mess, less oil, and less fat in the diet. Egg rolls or spring rolls prepared in the air fryer are fast to make, healthy, and most importantly perfectly crispy. So, why not skip the tedious deep frying and takeout menus and enjoy these delicacies, ready in under 10 minutes, whenever you want?
Air fryers are well known to produce hot, crispy, and tasty morsels out of any frozen, battered, or wrapped products in a fraction of the time and without any fuss. As a basic rule, simply whack the contents of the pack in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 10-20 minutes, turning over or tossing the contents once or twice during the process… But, what if you wanted to cook spring rolls or egg rolls? Would you manage the same results with say Minh frozen vegetable rolls?
What is the difference between an egg roll and a spring roll?
While I tend to use the two terms interchangeably as they cook pretty much the same way, spring rolls are made with a thin flour or rice wrapper while egg rolls are made with a thick flour or rice wrapper and then dipped in an egg and flour mixture before being fried. While both versions are typically fried, spring rolls are often also baked in an over.
What is my favorite dipping sauce for egg rolls or spring rolls?
Hard to say, though a great nuoc namh, nam chim kai (thai Sweet chili sauce) or a basic sweet chili sauce is delicious, so is a good soy sauce or even a sweet soy sauce… basically, prepare an assortment an enjoy!
Why we love air frying spring rolls or egg rolls:
- It is incredibly fast – ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for starving children straight from school or surprise guests.
- Easy and cooks itself in an air fryer, leaving you time to focus on other things.
- No mess, no fuss. Everything is cooked in the air fryer, with no cleanup required.
- Less oil is used, so they are a healthier choice.
- They come out better than fried – really. Perfectly crispy on the outside, not soggy at all. Pure enjoyment.
Quick tips and tricks for air frying spring rolls and egg rolls:
- Cook in one layer only, at least for the first part of the cooking.
- Due to their shape, spring rolls will prevent the hot air from reaching any covered section, which means that it will be raw or undercooked, even soggy. In more extreme cases, the skin of the rolls will end up sticking together, and dividing them will rip the rolls apart.
- If a large quantity is required to be ready at the same time, cook the egg rolls in batches for 6 minutes each and then combine batches and cook for a further 4 minutes, tossing the basket twice. It is not perfect but does work out.
- Adjust your cook time. Larger spring rolls require more time, so start with 12 minutes (6 for the first cook, toss them and add another 6 minutes). Check one to ensure that they are warm all the way through.
- Dip in your favorite sauce, or even better, have an assortment of sauces ready to create interest and diversity.
- Cook only as much as you plan to eat. The rolls do not store well and really should not be reheated. However, as they are ready in 10 minutes, why fuss? Simply make enough for today and cook another batch tomorrow!
- Non-stick spray is not an option! Spraying the basket just prior to use and spraying the egg rolls will prevent them from sticking to the basket and will also yield a much crispier product.
Can the Air Fryer Be Used to Cook Large Quantities of Bacon for a Group?
Yes, the air fryer is absolutely perfect for cooking bacon for group. Its large capacity and efficient cooking method make it easy to cook plenty of bacon at once. Plus, the air fryer’s quick cooking time is ideal for getting a large batch of bacon ready for a hungry crowd in no time.
Is there a difference between cooking spring rolls from frozen or fresh?
Fresh spring rolls or fresh egg rolls can be quite sticky, especially if rice paper was used as a wrapper. This glutinous sheet does not handle well as it dries out and tends to spatter and burst if cooked with any oil while wet. As long as the spring rolls are sprayed with some non-stick spray before they touch any surface such as a tray, plate, or the air fryer basket, you should have no problems. Apart from this, simply treat fresh egg rolls as you would frozen ones – cook for 4-6 minutes, toss the basket to flip them over, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Test one to ensure that they are cooked through.
Can you air fry commercial spring rolls?
Commercial egg rolls are so much easier to use as they are already ready – just pop them in the air fryer. No need to prep all the ingredients and roll each one prior to using or freezing. Simply select your favorite brand and filling – vegetable egg roll, pork egg roll, beef egg roll, or chicken egg roll and get frying!
Best of all? You can eat within 10 minutes as long as you have a box ready to go in your freezer.
How long should I cook frozen spring rolls in an air fryer?
Frozen spring rolls take about 8 minutes from frozen at 400°F / 200° C if the air fryer is pre-heated or 11 minutes if the air fryer is cold. it is best to arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer with a little space between each to avoid them sticking as they defrost and apply a light coat of non-stick spray such as spray-and-cook.
Should you defrost spring rolls or egg rolls before frying?
No. Frozen spring rolls are designed to be cooked straight from frozen and the shell, paper, or dough of the roll can become soggy when defrosted, which will cause them to stick together, on your prep plate of the air fryer mesh, leaving a mess behind when you try to move them.
Costco Spring Rolls
Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer. Give them a light coating with a non-stick spray. Cook for 7 minutes at 400°F / 200° C, shake the air fryer pan to loosen them off the grill, and air fry for an extra 4 minutes. If you prefer, you can reheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400° F and reduce the first cooking time to 4 minutes. With my Philips XL Air Fryer, I can fit about 5 large spring rolls or 8 mini spring rolls comfortably.
Minh Egg Rolls in the air fryer.
Select your favorite version, place the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer. Give them a light coating with a non-stick spray. Cook for 7 minutes at 400°F / 200° C, shake the air fryer pan to loosen them off the grill, and air fry for an extra 4 minutes. If you prefer, you can reheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400° F and reduce the first cooking time to 4 minutes. With my Philips XL Air Fryer, I can fit about 5 large spring rolls or 8 mini spring rolls comfortably.
Trader Joe’s chicken spring rolls in an air fryer:
Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer. Give them a light coating with a non-stick spray. Cook for 7 minutes at 400°F / 200° C, shake the air fryer pan to loosen them off the grill, and air fry for an extra 4 minutes. If you prefer, you can reheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400° F and reduce the first cooking time to 4 minutes. With my Philips XL Air Fryer, I can fit about 5 large spring rolls or 8 mini spring rolls comfortably.
How do you reheat spring rolls in an air fryer?
Leftovers are a great snack, especially with teenage boys in the house. Simply pop the egg rolls or spring rolls in the air fryer, spray them lightly with a non-stick spray to help them cook, and reheat them at 400° F for about 4 minutes.
Why are my spring rolls not cooked through?
While this cooking method is foolproof, there are a few aspects that can trip you up the first time you try it out:
- Larger spring rolls
- Overcrowded air fryer basket
- Egg rolls where not turned halfway
- Air fryer is bigger or has a lower power rating
- Air fryer was not properly pre-heated
Frozen vegetable spring rolls vs. frozen chicken, prawn, pork, or beef spring rolls – is there a difference in cooking?
Most frozen spring rolls or egg rolls have their protein pre-cooked, so as long as you cook the spring roll properly, there should be no difference between a vegetable spring roll and a chicken, beef, pork, or prawn spring roll. As long as the outside is crispy and golden brown while the contents are steaming hot, just enjoy them! If in doubt, add 2 minutes to the cooking time but be careful not to overcook and spoil the chicken or the prawns!
