Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You get that satisfying crunch without deep frying or messy oil.
It’s faster and cleaner than traditional frying.
Flexible — you can swap or omit meat and adjust the vegetables.
Great for gatherings — make a batch and serve with dipping sauces.
Works well with make-ahead prep and can be frozen for later.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Ground meat (such as pork, chicken, or turkey) or a meatless alternative
Cabbage (shredded)
Carrot (julienned or shredded)
Green onions (sliced)
Garlic (minced)
Fresh ginger (grated)
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Rice vinegar (optional)
Salt, pepper, optional seasoning (e.g. five-spice, red pepper flakes)
Egg roll wrappers
Water or cornstarch slurry (for sealing)
Cooking spray or light oil mist

Directions

Prepare filling
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat (if using) with garlic and ginger until browned and cooked through.
• Add shredded cabbage, carrot, and green onions. Sauté until the vegetables are wilted and tender.
• Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar (if using), and season with salt, pepper, or optional spices. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Assemble egg rolls
• Lay one egg roll wrapper on a clean surface (in a diamond orientation, with one corner pointing toward you).
• Place a portion of filling in the lower third of the wrapper, leaving space around edges.
• Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the left and right sides. Roll tightly toward the top corner.
• Seal the edge by brushing with water or a cornstarch + water slurry.
• Repeat until all filling and wrappers are used.
Preheat air fryer
Preheat your air fryer (if it has a preheat function) to around 375-400 °F (190-200 °C).
Cook egg rolls
• Lightly spray or brush the egg rolls with oil (or mist them).
• Place them seam-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overcrowd).
• Cook for ~6 minutes, then flip each roll, mist or brush lightly with oil again, and cook another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• If needed, adjust time slightly depending on your air fryer and wrapper thickness.
Serve
Let the egg rolls rest a minute or two, then serve warm with dipping sauces (sweet chili, soy, duck sauce, hoisin, etc.).

Servings and timing

Servings: about 8–12 egg rolls (depending on wrapper size and filling)
Prep time: ~15–20 minutes
Cook time: ~10–12 minutes per batch
Total time: ~25–30 minutes (for one full batch)

Variations

Vegetarian / Vegan version: Omit meat and use tofu, mushrooms, or extra vegetables; seal wrappers with cornstarch slurry instead of egg wash.
Protein swap: Use ground chicken, turkey, or shrimp instead of pork.
Spicy twist: Add chopped chili, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes to the filling.
Flavor change: Add water chestnuts, bean sprouts, or bamboo shoots for extra crunch.
Wrapper options: Use whole-wheat or gluten-free wrappers (if available).
Freezer version: Assemble egg rolls, flash freeze on a tray, then store in freezer. Cook in air fryer from frozen (add a few minutes).

Storage/Reheating

Storage: After cooling, place egg rolls in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–5 days.
Freezing: Flash freeze on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags; they keep well for up to 2–3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at ~350-375 °F for 2–4 minutes (if already cooked) or 6–8 minutes (if frozen) until crisp and heated through. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve crispness.

FAQs

How many wrappers per egg roll?

One wrapper is used per roll. Use one full square (in diamond orientation).

Do I need to cook the filling first?

Yes — meats must be pre-cooked and vegetables softened before wrapping.

What if the wrapper splits during rolling?

The wrapper may split if overfilled or too dry. Use a little water or cornstarch slurry on edges and avoid overstuffing.

Can I air fry frozen egg rolls?

Yes — increase cooking time slightly (usually by 2–4 minutes) and check midway to avoid burning.

How do I prevent soggy wrappers?

Don’t overcrowd, ensure there’s space for air circulation, and spray oil lightly but evenly. Flip halfway to crisp both sides.

What dipping sauces go well?

Sweet chili sauce, hoisin, soy sauce, duck sauce, spicy mustard, or a mix of soy and rice vinegar all work nicely.

Can I bake instead of air fry?

Yes — bake on a parchment-lined sheet at ~425 °F (220 °C) for ~12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Will the filling fall out during cooking?

If the wrapper is sealed well and rolls aren’t overfilled, this rarely happens. Handle gently and seal edges properly.

How do I keep them crisp after cooking?

Serve right away. If they sit and steam, they may soften. You can hold cooked ones in a low oven (~200 °F) briefly before serving.

Can I assemble ahead?

Yes — you can roll them ahead of time and store in the fridge (covered) for a few hours before cooking.

Conclusion

Air fryer egg rolls are a fantastic way to enjoy a crunchy, flavorful snack or appetizer without the mess and excess oil of frying. With simple ingredients, flexible variations, and easy reheating, they’re perfect for quick meals or entertaining. Try experimenting with fillings, spices, and wraps to find your favorite version — once you try these, they’ll become a regular in your kitchen.

Air Fryer Egg Rolls

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Crispy, golden air fryer egg rolls packed with savory meat and vegetables — all the flavor and crunch of deep-fried rolls with minimal oil. A perfect appetizer, snack, or light meal made fast and cleanly in the air fryer.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Yield: 8–12 egg rolls
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Diet: Low Fat

Instructions

In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat with garlic and ginger until browned and cooked through.
Add shredded cabbage, carrot, and green onions; sauté until vegetables soften.
Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar (if using), salt, pepper, and optional spices. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Place one egg roll wrapper on a clean surface in diamond orientation. Add 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the bottom corner.
Fold bottom corner over filling, fold in sides, and roll tightly toward the top corner. Seal edge with water or cornstarch slurry. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly spray or brush rolls with oil and place seam-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 6 minutes, flip, spray lightly again, and cook 4–6 minutes more, until golden brown and crisp.
Let rest briefly, then serve warm with your choice of dipping sauces.

Notes

Cook meat and soften vegetables before wrapping to prevent soggy filling.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer — work in batches for best results.
To keep them crisp, serve immediately or hold in a warm oven (~200°F).
Freeze assembled rolls for future use; cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Use tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 egg roll
Calories: 160
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 360mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 9g
Cholesterol: 30mg