Sides · Chinese
Air Fryer Egg Rolls
These egg rolls come out crackly and golden without a pot of hot oil, thanks to the air fryer. A savory pork and cabbage filling gets wrapped up tight and crisped in minutes, so takeout night can happen at home. Serve with duck sauce or plum sauce for dipping.

Why you'll love this
- All the crunch of fried egg rolls with a fraction of the oil.
- The filling comes together in one skillet in under 15 minutes.
- Great for making ahead and freezing.
- Kids and adults both go for these dipped in duck sauce.
EveryDayMeal recipe
Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground pork (or ground chicken)
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 12 egg roll wrappers
- as needed oil, for brushing
- as needed duck sauce, plum sauce, and soy sauce, for serving
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Box grater or food processor
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the ground pork. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 6 to 8 minutes, until no pink remains and the meat is lightly browned.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, shredded carrot, scallions, and cabbage. Cook another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage wilts down and turns soft.
- Season with the soy sauce and rice vinegar, stir to combine, then take the pan off the heat and let the filling cool. Warm filling makes the wrappers soggy and hard to roll, so give it a few minutes.
- Set one egg roll wrapper on a dry surface with a corner pointing toward you like a diamond. Spoon about 1/4 cup of filling across the center.
- Dip your fingers in water and dampen all four edges. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, fold in the two sides, then roll away from you into a tight cylinder. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling for about a dozen rolls.
- Arrange the egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer without touching, so the air can circulate. Brush or spray them lightly with oil.
- Air fry at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes, then flip, brush the second side with oil, and cook another 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crisp all over.
- Serve right away with duck sauce, plum sauce, or extra soy sauce for dipping.
Tips from the kitchen
- Let the filling cool before rolling. A hot filling steams the wrappers and makes them tear.
- Keep the stack of wrappers under a damp towel so they don't dry out and crack while you work.
- Roll tightly and seal the final edge well with water so the egg rolls hold together during cooking.
Estimated nutrition per serving: 290 cal · 14g protein · 24g carbs · 15g fat
Make it your own
- Swap the ground pork for ground chicken or turkey.
- Make it vegetarian with crumbled tofu or extra shredded veggies like mushrooms and bell pepper.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of sesame oil to the filling for more flavor.
Storing & make-ahead
Store cooled egg rolls in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to crisp them back up. To freeze, freeze uncooked rolls on a tray, then bag them and air fry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Good to know
- Can I make these without an air fryer?
- Yes. Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a high-walled skillet to 350°F, fry the egg rolls 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden, then drain on paper towels.
- Why did my egg rolls burst open?
- Usually too much filling or a loose seal. Use about 1/4 cup per wrapper, roll tightly, and dampen all edges well.
- Can I prep the filling ahead?
- Absolutely. Make the filling up to 2 days ahead and keep it chilled, then roll and cook when you're ready.
- Do I have to flip them?
- For the crispiest results, yes. Flipping and brushing the second side with oil gives you even browning all over.
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