You know that craving for crispy, golden egg rolls without the greasy aftermath? That’s exactly why I fell in love with air fryer egg rolls. I still remember the first time I made them—my kitchen smelled like my favorite takeout spot, but without the oil splatters and lingering fried-food guilt. The air fryer works magic here, turning simple wrappers and fresh fillings into shatteringly crisp perfection in under 10 minutes. And the best part? You can stuff them with whatever you’ve got—leftover chicken, crunchy veggies, even a spicy tofu scramble. Once you try this method, you’ll never go back to deep frying.

Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Trust me, these aren’t your average egg rolls. Here’s why they’ve become a staple in my kitchen:
- Crazy-fast cooking: 10 minutes in the air fryer vs. babysitting a pot of oil? Yes please. I can throw these together during commercial breaks when friends suddenly show up.
- All the crunch, zero guilt: They come out golden and shatteringly crisp with just a brush of oil—no heavy greasiness clinging to your fingers.
- Your fridge, your rules: That half bell pepper wilting in the drawer? Leftover pulled pork? Toss it in! I’ve even used Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce for holiday versions.
- Kid-approved magic: My picky nephew devours these (he never needs to know they’re packed with cabbage). Bonus: no hot oil splatter burns to worry about.
Seriously, once you taste that first crispy bite, you’ll understand why my air fryer hasn’t stopped running since I cracked this recipe.
These air fryer egg rolls are the ultimate snack—crispy, golden, and packed with flavor without the extra grease from deep frying. If you’re obsessed with egg rolls, you’ll also love these Bacon Jalapeño Popper Eggrolls for a cheesy, fiery twist.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Here’s what you’ll need to make these crispy delights – I always measure everything out before starting so I’m not scrambling mid-roll:
- 10 egg roll wrappers (look for the thin, square ones in the refrigerated aisle)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (I run mine through the food processor’s shredder attachment)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (peeled and grated on the medium holes)
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions (both green and white parts)
- 1/2 cup cooked protein (shredded chicken, pork, or crumbled tofu all work)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tsp)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (the good stuff – not the watery kind)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (keep your peeled knobs in the freezer!)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil for brushing
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing something! Try these swaps:
- No cabbage? Shredded broccoli stems or zucchini work
- Gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce + gluten-free wrappers
- Vegetarian? Swap chicken for mushrooms or extra-firm tofu
- Out of fresh ginger? 1/4 tsp ground ginger will do in a pinch
How to Make Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Okay, let’s get rolling—literally! I’ve made these dozens of times, and here’s exactly how to get that perfect crunch every time:
- Mix it up: Toss your cabbage, carrots, green onions, protein, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and pepper in a big bowl. I use my hands to really massage everything together—the cabbage wilts just enough so it’s easier to roll.
- Wrap like a pro: Lay an egg roll wrapper on your cutting board like a diamond. Scoop 2 tablespoons of filling slightly below the center. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, tuck the sides in (like you’re folding an envelope), then roll tightly toward the top corner. Dab water on that last corner to seal it shut—this keeps them from bursting open mid-air-fry!
- Oil ’em up: Lightly brush each roll with vegetable oil using a pastry brush. Don’t skip this—it’s what gives them that golden crunch without deep frying.
- Air fry magic: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes—this is KEY for even cooking. Arrange egg rolls in a single layer with space between them (they’ll steam if crowded). Cook for 5 minutes, flip carefully with tongs, then cook another 3-5 minutes until they’re bronze and crispy.

Watch for that satisfying sizzle sound when you open the basket—that’s how you know they’re done right! Let them cool just a minute before biting in (that filling stays lava-hot).
Pro Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Here are my hard-earned secrets after many (many!) test batches:
- No overcrowding: Give each roll breathing room—I do max 4 at a time in my 5-quart air fryer.
- Double-crisp method: For extra crunch, spray rolls lightly with oil halfway through cooking.
- Seal tight: If edges won’t stick, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water) instead of plain water.
- Keep ’em warm: Place cooked rolls on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while you finish batches—they’ll stay crisp.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Oh, the dipping possibilities! My air fryer egg rolls are delicious plain, but here’s how I love to serve them:
- Classic duo: Sweet chili sauce and soy sauce mixed with a squeeze of lime – my go-to for that perfect sweet-salty-tangy combo
- Cool contrast: A quick Asian slaw (shredded cabbage, rice vinegar, sesame oil) on the side cuts through the richness
- Game night hack: Serve with small bowls of different sauces – duck sauce, spicy mayo, even peanut sauce for dipping variety
They disappear fastest when I arrange them on a platter with all the sauces – just be ready to make a second batch!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Here’s the good news – these air fryer egg rolls stay crispy even after storing! I always make extras because they reheat beautifully. Just let them cool completely first (no condensation = no sogginess). Stack them in an airtight container with parchment between layers – they’ll keep in the fridge for 3 days.
When hunger strikes again, skip the microwave! Toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes per side. That blast of hot air works miracles, bringing back that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. I’ve even frozen them before (up to a month!) – just add an extra minute when reheating straight from frozen.
Air Fryer Egg Rolls FAQs
I’ve gotten so many questions since I started making these crispy air fryer egg rolls! Here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I freeze air fryer egg rolls?
Absolutely! Freeze them before cooking for best results. Arrange filled, uncooked rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to eat, cook frozen rolls at 375°F for 12-14 minutes – no thawing needed!
Why did my egg rolls turn out soggy?
The usual culprits: overcrowding the basket (steam can’t escape) or wet filling (always pat veggies dry). My trick? Preheat the air fryer extra well – a hot start means instant crisping!
What’s the best dipping sauce?
My personal favorite is a mix of hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha (about 3:1:1 ratio). But honestly? Even plain soy sauce with a squeeze of lemon makes these air fryer egg rolls sing!
Can I make these vegetarian?
Of course! I’ve used mushrooms, tofu, even mashed chickpeas as protein. Just make sure your filling isn’t too wet – extra-firm tofu pressed for 30 minutes works best.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the breakdown per egg roll (but remember – nutrition varies based on your exact ingredients!):
- Calories: About 90
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 12g (with 1g fiber)
- Fat: 3g
These are estimates – your air fryer egg rolls might differ slightly based on fillings and oil amount. The best part? They’re way lighter than traditional deep-fried versions!
Want more crispy, crave-worthy ideas? Check out our latest food inspiration on Pinterest.
Ready to Make Air Fryer Egg Rolls?
Now that you’ve got all my crispy secrets, it’s your turn! Whip up these air fryer egg rolls tonight – I promise they’re easier than you think. Tag me when you make them (#eggrollobsession over here!) and tell me what fillings you used. My kitchen’s always open for your cooking questions too – just drop them in the comments below. Happy air frying!
Print
Air Fryer Egg Rolls You’ll Crave Daily
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 10 egg rolls 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Crispy, golden air fryer egg rolls filled with a savory mixture of vegetables and protein. A healthier alternative to deep-fried versions, ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- 10 egg roll wrappers
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup cooked and shredded chicken or tofu
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix cabbage, carrots, green onions, chicken or tofu, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and black pepper.
- Place 2 tbsp of the filling in the center of an egg roll wrapper.
- Fold the sides inward, then roll tightly, sealing the edge with water.
- Brush each egg roll lightly with vegetable oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Place egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce.
Notes
- Keep unused egg roll wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
- Adjust filling ingredients based on preference.
- For extra crispiness, spray egg rolls lightly with oil before air frying.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 egg roll
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: air fryer egg rolls, crispy egg rolls, healthy appetizer