Introduction
If you’ve ever gotten Chinese takeout, you’ve probably eaten an egg roll before. Put simply, they’re a mixture of vegetables (and often meat) wrapped in a doughy shell. Said wrap is then fried in oil, giving it the classic golden-brown hue and a crunchy exterior.
While they’re very tasty, they’re not exactly healthy. Sure, they’re full of vegetables, but being deep-fried really makes them an occasional treat at best. Thankfully there are other ways of making them which, while not quite the same, are significantly easier on your body and mind. Namely, in an air fryer.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven. Like other convection ovens, it uses both heat and strong air currents to cook food quickly and evenly. They’ve become very popular in recent years, and while they have their critics, I think they’re a useful tool with many applications.
The most notable quirk of air fryers is the supposed ability to fry foods with less oil than traditional deep frying. While it won’t give you exactly the same results (how could it?,) results are often superior to a home oven’s.
Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Pros and Cons
Since air frying is much different than deep frying, I thought it was worth going over the possible benefits and drawbacks. Specifically, what you can expect to get from these egg rolls if you choose to air fry them.
Pros
Fewer calories
Less oil, which often contains large amounts of unhealthy fats
Faster than traditional deep frying
Less messy than deep frying
More simple than deep frying (no finding the right pan or deep fryer, no cleaning and storing the oil, etc.)
Cons
Worse texture than deep frying (not as crunchy; more doughy)
Due to the lack of oil, the flour/starch remains on the wrapper, giving them a potentially unpleasant mouthfeel
The flavor is unsurprisingly worse, but what isn’t better when it’s deep fried?
Conclusion and Recipe
Thus concludes my thoughts on air fryers. If you have an fryer, or are thinking of getting one, I urge you to try this recipe.
If you like this recipe, but forming the egg rolls sounds like a bother, try my recipe for egg roll bowls. All the flavor, none of the rolling.
You can also follow me on WordPress or Pinterest, which will alert you to my new posts. My next post will be about how to make potato wedges in a traditional home oven. If you don’t have an air fryer but aren’t a fan of deep frying, be sure to follow so you don’t miss out 🙂
Ingredients
For the egg rolls:
Egg roll wrappers, as needed (recipe makes about 8 egg rolls)
Small cup of water
Cooking spray, as needed
1 cup cabbage, sliced thin, 101 grams
1 medium carrot, sliced thin*
1/2 tsp kosher salt, 3 grams
Large pinch of garlic powder, about 1/2 tsp
Pinch of ground ginger, about 1/4 tsp
2 tsps rice vinegar, 10 grams
For the sauce:
1 Tbsp soy sauce, 15 grams
1 tsp rice vinegar, 5 grams
1 tsp sesame oil, 5 grams
1 tsp hot sauce, 5 grams
1 tsp sugar, 4 grams
Makes enough sauce for about 4 egg rolls
Preparation
Add the cabbage, carrot, salt, garlic, ginger and vinegar to a bowl, then mix aggressively with your hands**.
Lay out an egg roll wrapper so that it looks like a square, then moisten the edges with water. Place 1-2 Tbsps of filling in the center, then fold the left and right edges towards the center***.
Fold the edge closest to you oven the filling, then roll away from you. Before reaching the far edge, moisten it with water once more. Finish rolling, press the seam gently to seal, then set aside. Repeat until you’re out of filling.
Add egg rolls to a preheated air fryer and spritz with cooking spray. Air fry at 400 f (204 c) for 5-10 minutes or until well-browned. Cook in batches, if necessary.
To make the sauce, add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix well.
Notes
* I recommend using a peeler to peel thin strips, and using those for the filling. Unless you’re very good with a knife and cutting carrots, it will likely be faster and easier.
** When I say aggressively, I really mean it. Smash them up, mash them around, etc. This lowers the structural integrity of the filling, making it easier to roll up. It’s also just fun to do.
*** If you’re struggling with just written instructions, your egg roll wrappers may have instructions + diagrams on the packaging.
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