Fitness / March 9, 2024

Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls

With this easy, step-by-step recipe, restaurant-worthy Crispy Egg Rolls can be yours, thanks to your air fryer and a list of your Chinese-food faves.

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I know I shouldn’t have been intimidated by egg rolls but I was. Whenever we got Chinese takeout, I would remove them from their little paper bag and marvel at how they’re made. I think I was just so used to seeing them either show up at my door along with my chicken balls, rice, and noodles or in the frozen foods section at the grocery store, that I forgot that, at some point, someone needed to make them. Eventually, I looked into it (thanks, YouTube!) and, you know what? It’s actually pretty simple.

That’s why we have this recipe. I was sick of relying on takeout or frozen foods to get my egg-roll fix. Not only was that not the healthiest of habits, I wanted to challenge myself. I also liked the idea of personalizing my egg rolls, adding what I wanted and leaving out those ingredients I didn’t feel like eating.

Don’t be intimidated by the size of that list of ingredients, either. Just take your time to gather them all together then tackle each step one by one. Before you know it, those rolls will be rolling out of your air fryer and into your hands.

Are Air Fryer Egg Rolls Healthy?

Egg rolls aren’t generally considered a healthy food; however, by cooking them in your air fryer instead of deep frying them, you elude a lot of calories. Overall, apart from its considerable sodium content, this recipe makes a respectable appetizer. It contains protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber from the chicken and veggies, and even the sodium can be excluded to an extent just by avoiding the sauces. Given the wide range of ingredients, these egg rolls don’t really lend themselves to any particular diet.

Wait… Where Does Egg Come Into Play here?

Funny thing: it doesn’t. The only possible explanation I can conjure up is that the wrap itself used to be made with egg. Modern roll wrappers haven’t used egg in a long while (if they ever did) but still, the name stuck. It’s like when we say, “Wind down the window,” or ask someone to “tape that TV show for me.” Could just be a term or phrase that has stuck despite the obsolete terminology in use.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 cups coleslaw mix
1/2 lb. ground chicken
3 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp sriracha
1/2 cup chopped green onions
12 egg roll wrappers
olive oil spray for air fryer

INSTRUCTIONS

Sauté

Heat oil and cook garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant. Add coleslaw mix and wilt the cabbage.

Cook

Add chicken and sauces to the pan, stir frying until the chicken is cooked and the mixture is dry. Stir in green onions.

Wrap

Place filling on egg roll wrappers, fold and roll tightly, sealing the edges with moisture.

Air Fry

Spray air fryer basket, add egg rolls, and cook until crispy, flipping halfway through.

Serve

Enjoy the crispy, delicious egg rolls fresh from the air fryer.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I store these egg rolls?

Let them cool completely then store in an airtight container. You can also wrap them individually in plastic or aluminum foil. They should keep in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze them (I would double wrap them, in plastic then aluminum, if you plan on storing them separately). They should keep for up to two months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in your air fryer at 350°F. If you wanted to reheat them from frozen, do so in the oven; reheating in the air fryer from frozen could cause them to burn on the outside while the inside is still lukewarm.

Can I use ground beef or pork instead of chicken?

You sure can. Both are tasty options. You can also use turkey, tofu, or shrimp.

What else can I put in these egg rolls?

You can cater to your precise preferences by putting anything you like in these egg rolls. Some popular options are bell peppers, mushrooms, or bean sprouts.

Can I make my own coleslaw mix?

If you have the time, then you can make your own slaw mix and revel in the fact you did so. To help you along I’m including this recipe for Apple Coleslaw. Obviously, excuse the apple from the festivities unless you want something sweet for your egg rolls.

Is there a low-carb version of the wrappers?

These days you should be able to find a few alternatives, including those made with almond flour or coconut flour. Another option is to do away with wrappers altogether and have an egg-roll bowl. Tasty and it rhymes!

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’ve made your own egg rolls, why not see which other American-Chinese dishes you can make. I have a few recipes to start you off. For protein, make these Chinese Five-Spice Chicken Thighs, that are tender, juicy, and use not four, not six, but FIVE spices! You can also make Vegetable Fried Rice; it works with Chinese food and other savory entrees alike. And if you feel like a stir fry, make this Chinese Spicy Zucchini Stir-Fry, a healthy veggie-based option with just the right amount of kick.

Crispy Air-Fryer Egg Rolls

With this easy, step-by-step recipe, restaurant-worthy Crispy Egg Rolls can be yours, thanks to your air fryer and a list of your Chinese-food faves.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Asian

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 96kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 cups coleslaw mix
1/2 lb. ground chicken
3 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp sriracha
1/2 cup chopped green onions
12 egg roll wrappers
olive oil spray for air fryer

Instructions

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and stir-fry garlic, ginger, and celery until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the coleslaw mix and cook until the cabbage is wilted, approximately 5 minutes.
To the pan, add ground chicken, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha. Stir-fry the chicken, breaking it apart as it cooks, for about 3-4 minutes or until fully cooked. Mix in the green onions and remove from heat.
Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface with one corner pointing towards you. Place a tablespoon of the chicken mixture on the lower part of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll tightly towards the opposite corner. Use water or a beaten egg to seal the edge. Repeat with the remaining wrappers.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the egg rolls in the basket without overcrowding and lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Cook for 6 minutes, flip the egg rolls, and cook for another 6 minutes until crispy.