Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer (2024)

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Making Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer is so much healthier than deep frying them. Air Fryer Egg Rolls come out super crispy and delicious, you are going to love this make at home appetizer!

The air fryer makes some of the best frozen foods. If you enjoy using your air fryer to heat up frozen foods you will want to try out Air Fryer French Fries, which are delicious dipped in this. Make Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp or Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer.

Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls

Anytime we go out for Chinese American food, I have to get egg rolls! They are the perfect appetizer to accompany the meal. White rice, orange chicken, and egg rolls. What more could you ask for?

Well, sometimes I don’t feel like leaving the house to go get take out food (or paying a giant delivery fee), so why not make it right in my own home.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love egg rolls. When you keep a package of frozen egg rolls in your freezer, you will always be able to make a quick appetizer or snack on short notice.

The frozen chicken egg rolls are my favorite ones to make in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Egg Rolls Frozen

Look, I know egg rolls aren’t healthy, especially the frozen ones. But, it is healthier to heat these up in the air fryer rather than cooking them in a vat of oil in the deep fryer. Frozen egg rolls are already deep fried, so why add even more oil to them and make them super greasy.

Plus, making frozen egg rolls in an air fryer are so easy. And they don’t need to be sprayed with oil or have oil added to the air fryer.

What is Usually in an Egg Roll?

Egg rolls are an Asian inspired appetizer. They have a crunchy outside wrapper stuffed with deliciousness. Typically, the egg rolls is stuffed with vegetables and some kind of meat. Those veggies are usually cabbage, carrots, celery, or mushrooms. They can be vegetarian egg rolls and have only vegetables or they can be filled with meats like chicken, pork, or even seafood like shrimp or crab.

Why is it Called an Egg Roll?

So, apparently, the exact origin of this delightful little appetizer is kind of unknown. It is speculated that they are called egg rolls because the wrapper originally contained egg in the ingredients. The wrapper may or may not have eggs now depending on the recipe.

Some also say that it may have originated from a recipe in an American Chinese cook book from 1917 that actually had an egg roll that actually had an egg for the wrapper.

Who knows, but they are delicious and I’m glad they exist!

Difference Between Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls

The difference between egg rolls and spring rolls is simple. It all boils down to the outside wrapper. Egg rolls are made with a thicker, flour wrapper which bubbles up as it deep fries.

Spring rolls are normally made with a thin rice paper wrapper that makes for a crisp bite. They can also be eaten raw or without being deep fried or cooked at all (well, the meat inside does).

Both egg rolls and spring rolls are normally stuffed with vegetables and some kind of meat, but they can both also be made vegetarian.

How Long do Frozen Egg Rolls take in an Air Fryer?

The exact amount of time that frozen egg rolls cook in an air fryer will depend on your air fryer. I use a Cosori 5.8 quart basket style air fryer. Some air fryer cook hotter and may need a little less time. Or vice versa. Once you have gotten to know your air fryer, you will know if it needs a little less or more time. Use the recipe card below for exact directions.

How many Egg Rolls Can Fit in Air Fryer

I use a basket style air fryer to make frozen egg rolls. When I cook them I can fit up to 6 egg rolls comfortably in my air fryer. If you want less egg rolls than that, you can just add the amount you want.

Best Frozen Egg Rolls Brands

Chung’s Frozen Egg Rolls
PF Changs Egg Rolls (Chicken Mini Egg Rolls, Vegetable Mini Egg Rolls)
Pagoda
Schwan’s Minh Egg Rolls (Pork, Vegetable, or Chicken Egg Rolls with cabbage, carrots, and celery)
Tai Pei Egg Rolls (Chicken, Vegetable, or Pork Frozen Egg Rolls)

Do you Need to Thaw Egg Rolls Before Air Frying?

There is no need to thaw egg rolls before adding them to a preheated air fryer. Just grab them straight out of the freezer and drop them into the air fryer.

What Goes With Egg Rolls? (Side Dish for Egg Rolls)

Normally when I make these air fryer egg rolls, I have to make just plain white or brown rice with a little soy sauce, fried rice, or this lemon butter rice if I’m wanting a bit more flavor. I also like to serve the frozen egg rolls with veggies, of course. So I will make this parmesan broccoli or zucchini with squash right in the air fryer since I already have it out anyway. Roasted asparagus made right in the oven also makes an exceptional side.

For dipping sauce I like to use sweet and sour sauce (either the packet that came in the box, store bought or this homemade version). We will also use soy sauce, duck sauce, sweet chili sauce, or spicy mustard (Chinese hot mustard).

Air Fryer Egg Roll Ingredients

Egg Rolls: Your favorite brand of pre-made, frozen egg rolls.
Dip: Dipping sauce is optional. You can use the sauce from the box if it comes with it or I have included some ideas under “what goes with egg rolls”.

How to Cook Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer. Add frozen sauce packets to a bowl of hot water (if your egg rolls came with sauce).
Carefully add in the egg rolls.
Cook the egg rolls. Flip over halfway through cooking time.
Let cool a little before enjoying with the sauce.

How to Cook Frozen Egg Rolls in Oven

Since not everyone has an air fryer, I have included directions on how to bake egg rolls in the oven instead of the air fryer.

Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Place egg rolls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. If cooking from frozen cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping over halfway through cooking time. If cooking from thawed in refrigerator cook for 8-10 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking time. Internal temperature should be 165°F.

How to Cook Frozen Egg Rolls in Deep Fryer or Pan Fried

Thaw the egg rolls in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oil to 350°F.
Fry the egg rolls for 4-5 minutes or if completely thawed fry for 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°F.

How to Cook Frozen Egg Rolls in Microwave

Cooking egg rolls in the microwave will result in soft, not crisp egg rolls. This is how to cook one egg roll.

For one frozen egg roll. On high power, microwave one egg roll for 2 minutes, flipping over after 1 minute.
For an egg roll that has been thawed in fridge. On high power, microwave one egg roll for 1 minute, flipping over after 30 seconds.

Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer Tips & Variations

Keep in one layer. Be sure not to stack or put the egg rolls in a double layer. You want to keep a little space between them so they can cook properly.
No oil needed. These frozen egg rolls do not need any extra oil added to them.
May need more or less time. Since every air fryer is different, the egg rolls may need a little more or less time. After cooking with your air fryer you will know if it cooks a little hotter or colder.
Mini egg rolls. If you are cooking smaller egg rolls in the air fryer, you may need to reduce the time by 2-3 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you heat egg rolls in air fryer? Yes, egg rolls can be heated from frozen right in the preheated air fryer.

Can you air fry PF Changs, Minh egg rolls in air fryer? Yes, you can cook any frozen brand of egg rolls with this recipe.

How do you air fry Costco egg rolls? Heat them the same way you would any brand of frozen egg rolls. Just follow the directions in the recipe card below.

Are Chungs egg rolls fully cooked? Are frozen egg rolls cooked? Yes, most frozen egg rolls have been fully cooked. The meat inside and the veggies are all cooked, then it gets rolled up and deep fried. Then they freeze it and package it.

What is an egg roll wrapper made of? The wrapper on the outside of the egg roll is made of wheat flour and sometimes eggs. This type of wrapper makes the little bubbles on the outside when fried, which are characteristic of egg rolls.

How to Store Leftover Egg Rolls

How to refrigerate air fried egg rolls? Let the egg rolls cool and put in an air tight container. They should last about 3-4 days in the fridge.

How to reheat leftover egg rolls? Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Add the leftover egg rolls in a single layer and heat for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through.

Try these other air fryer dinner ideas!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast without Breading
London Broil in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Pork Chops in Air Fryer

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