How to Air Fry Egg Rolls-From Frozen to Crispy 

Last updated on July 22nd, 2023 at 12:54 am

Craving some deliciously crispy egg rolls without the hassle of deep frying? Look no further than your trusty air fryer! With its rapid hot air circulation, the air fryer can transform frozen egg rolls into golden delights with no oil needed. Air Fryer egg rolls are ready in about 10 minutes making them a perfect appetizer or a great side dish to complement your main dish.

This easy air fryer recipe was inspired by my other easy air fryer recipes Air Fryer Orange Chicken, and Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken using Air Fryer Just Bare Chicken Nuggets. These make an amazingly tasty shortcut and an easy meal for busy weeknights. Air fryer egg rolls pair perfectly with Air Fried Broccoli or Air Fried Cauliflower.

This post is not affiliated with or sponsored by Chung's, {This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full Disclosure Page for details}

Jump to:

• Ingredients:
• Do I need to Thaw Egg Rolls?
• Countertop Air Fryer Instructions
• Air Fry Range Instructions
• Homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce
• Equipment
• Storage & Leftovers
• Top Tip
• FAQ

Ingredients:

For this recipe, I will be using Chung's brand chicken egg rolls that are about 1 inch thick in size, however, these air frying instructions can also be used when air frying pork egg rolls, vegetable egg rolls shrimp egg rolls or spring rolls.

• Frozen chicken egg rolls

Do I need to Thaw Egg Rolls?

No, do not thaw the egg rolls before air frying. Remove them from the freezer and place them directly in the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Countertop Air Fryer Instructions

Countertop air fryers are perfect when cooking for 1-3 people depending on the size of your air fryer, however, you can always prepare multiple batches if needed.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°for 2-3 minutes.
2. Place frozen egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Set the cooking time to 10 minutes. (Typically, cooking frozen egg rolls in the air fryer takes 10-15 minutes. However, it's always best to consult the packaging or the manufacturer's instructions for precise cooking times)
4. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you add too much food at once, it won't cook properly and get as crispy as you want. It's better to cook in batches if needed.
5. Flip or shake the egg rolls halfway through cooking. This ensures that all sides get crispy and cooked evenly.
6. Keep an eye on the egg rolls as they cook. Depending on the size of your egg rolls, and the power of your air fryer, it may take less or more time to cook. 
7. Add an additional 1-2 minutes if needed to reach your desired crispness. 

Air Fry Range Instructions

Air frying in the full-size air fry range is perfect when cooking for the whole family. Preparing food for 4-6 people is no problem in the ovens that are now equipped with the air fry feature. Go here to read more about the full-size air fry ranges. In a full-size oven or larger air fryers, the cooking time and temperature may differ from the smaller countertop appliance due to the size of the appliance. 

1. Preheat your air fry range to 400° for about 5 minutes
2. Place the egg rolls on the air fry basket or air fry tray in a single layer.
3. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry for  10-12 minutes, flipping the egg rolls halfway through the cooking process.
5. Add an additional 1-2 minutes if needed for the outside to become golden brown and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°.

Serving 

Serve the crunchy egg rolls with your favorite dipping sauce, side dish, or main course.

• Rice – Jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, long grain white rice, brown rice, or fried rice.
• Vegetables – steamed broccoli, sugar snap peas, fresh bell peppers, or a stir fry vegetable medley 
• Soy Sauce – Substitute for low sodium soy sauce, liquid aminos, or tamari sauce.
• Dipping Sauce- Sweet chili sauce, spicy mustard, sweet and sour sauce
• Garnish- with green onions and toasted sesame seeds

Homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce

While the egg rolls are air frying whip up an easy sweet and sour sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a spicy kick

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth and well combined. This will act as a thickening agent for the sauce.
4. Gradually pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. This will prevent lumps from forming and help thicken the sauce to the desired consistency.
5. Continue to cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your liking. This should take about 2-3 minutes. If you prefer a thinner sauce, reduce the cooking time slightly.
6. Once the sauce has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
7. Taste the sauce and adjust the flavors according to your preference. If you desire a sweeter sauce, add a little more brown sugar. For a tangier taste, add a splash of rice vinegar. Feel free to customize the sauce to suit your taste buds.
8. Transfer the sweet and sour sauce to a serving container or jar. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Equipment

Different brands and different sizes of air fryer models may alter your outcome. When air frying something for the first time watch it closely to avoid burning the food. I’m using the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 qt Air Fryer on the air fryer setting, but any countertop air fryer appliance can be used to make frozen egg rolls. If you are unsure, please refer to your owner’s manual for specific cooking times and directions.

The Samsung full-size air fry range or Frigidaire Range With Air Fry can also be used to air fry larger batches of food when you need to air fry large amounts of food for a large group. The large air frying ovens require a separate tray or air frying basket. When using the Samsung I prefer this one, when using the Frigidaire I like this one. Using the large air frying oven is my favorite way to make a healthy family-sized meal.

Storage & Leftovers

Just like leftovers from a Chinese restaurant, leftover egg rolls are delicious for a quick lunch the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat place egg rolls back in the air fryer at 350° and cook for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.

Top Tip

For best results don’t overcrowd food the air fryer. The best way to avoid soggy egg rolls is to leave enough space for the hot air to circulate around the food properly and crisp up the egg roll wrappers evenly. Always cook poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F for food safety. 

Several factors may affect how frozen egg rolls cook. Egg rolls vary in size, type of filling, and type of wrapper so air frying time may need to be adjusted accordingly. Fill just an even single layer.

If needed reduce the temperature by 50° and allow them to cook through the center. Then, increase the temperature for the last few minutes to crisp the outside of the egg rolls. If needed use a digital internal temperature probe to check that 165° has been reached internally.

FAQ