Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Crispy, golden air fryer spring rolls packed with a savory pork and vegetable filling, made with a fraction of the oil of traditional deep frying.

Why This Recipe Works:

• High-heat air circulation mimics deep frying when wrappers are properly brushed with oil.
• Pre-cooking the filling prevents soggy bottoms by releasing excess moisture beforehand.
• A simple cornstarch slurry seals the edges tightly, preventing any filling from leaking out.

I still remember the exact Tuesday evening I tried to deep-fry spring rolls in my tiny, unventilated studio apartment. The oil popped violently, splattering across my favorite sweater and leaving a lingering grease smell that clung to my curtains for three weeks.

It was a disaster.

Since then, I have been on a mission to get that shatteringly crisp crunch without turning my kitchen into a hazardous waste zone. If you love these flavors but want to skip the wrapper entirely, you should definitely try my Egg Roll in a Bowl.

The problem with most air-fried versions is that they turn out dry, chalky, and pale because they lack the rapid heat transfer of a bubbling oil bath. Deep frying works because hot oil surrounds the wrapper, instantly gelatinizing the surface starches and creating a uniform, crispy barrier. When you just blast them with dry air, the wrapper dehydrates instead of frying, leaving you with something that tastes like toasted cardboard. Think about this in terms of physics: without a medium to transfer heat, the starch cannot expand.

The simple fix is a generous brush of neutral oil combined with high heat to mimic that thermal mass. By emulsifying a tiny bit of water with oil on the wrapper, we trigger a mini steam-explosion in the air fryer that mimics deep frying. For a fun fusion twist on this classic, my Southwest Egg Rolls are another air fryer favorite.

Trust me on this one, you do not need a commercial fryer to get restaurant-quality results. Let us get rolling.

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

• Publisher Storied Skillet
• Cuisine Asian
• Category Appetizer, Air Fryer
• Prep Time 20 minutes
• Cook Time 12 minutes
• Servings 12 rolls
• Calories 110 calories
• Rating 4.8 3961
• Tags Air Fryer Spring Rolls, Crispy Spring Rolls, Healthy Spring Rolls, Homemade Spring Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 250g ground pork
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• 12 spring roll wrappers (thawed if frozen)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or avocado oil) for brushing

Directions

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up with your wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
2. Toss in the cabbage, carrots, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are wilted and any excess moisture has evaporated from the pan.
3. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Transfer the filling to a colander set over a bowl to drain and cool completely.
4. Lay one spring roll wrapper on a clean work surface in a diamond shape. Place 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling on the bottom third of the wrapper.
5. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, roll tightly once, then fold in the left and right side corners. Roll upward tightly, brush the top corner with the cornstarch slurry, and press to seal.
6. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Brush all sides of the spring rolls generously with neutral oil.
7. Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and shatteringly crisp.

Notes

• Salt Conversion: This recipe specifies Diamond Crystal kosher salt. If you are using Morton's kosher salt or fine table salt, cut the volume in half (use 1/4 teaspoon) to avoid over-salting your filling.
• The Science of Soggy Wrappers: Cooling the filling completely is essential because hot filling releases steam, which hydrates the starch in the wrapper, leading to a soggy roll that tears easily.
• Keep It Covered: Keep your unused wrappers covered with a damp paper towel while rolling. Dry wrappers crack and split, letting filling escape and burn in the air fryer.
• Wrapper Brand Warning: Generic grocery store egg roll wrappers failed my crispiness test because they are too thick; look for thin, wheat-based spring roll wrappers at your local Asian market.
• Storage Behavior: These rolls lose their crispness in the fridge as moisture migrates from the filling to the wrapper, but they revive beautifully when air-fried again.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these crispy rolls hot with your favorite dipping sauces to complete the experience. They make a fantastic appetizer or a light meal when paired with fresh sides.

• Sweet chili sauce for a classic sweet and spicy kick
• Soy-ginger dipping sauce with a splash of rice vinegar
• Serve alongside a fresh Mushroom and Snap Pea Stir Fry
• Garnish with finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds
• Pair with a crisp cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast

Storage and Reheating

Let's be completely honest: spring rolls are always best eaten straight out of the air fryer basket while they are still hot enough to burn your tongue slightly. But if you do end up with leftovers, do not even think about using the microwave unless you want to eat sad, rubbery tubes of mush.

The microwave is the enemy of crispiness.

Instead, store your leftover rolls in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb any migrating moisture. They will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

When you are ready to eat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 4 to 5 minutes. This gentle heat warms the pork filling through while the circulating air crisps the wrapper back up to its former glory.

Ingredient Substitutes

If you need to adapt this recipe for dietary needs or pantry availability, here are some easy swaps:

1. Ground Pork: Swap for ground chicken, turkey, or crumbled firm tofu.
2. Spring Roll Wrappers: If you cannot find them, egg roll wrappers work, though they will be thicker and bubblier.
3. Oyster Sauce: Use vegetarian mushroom sauce or extra soy sauce with a pinch of brown sugar.
4. Cabbage and Carrots: A bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix is an excellent, time-saving shortcut.

Tap your tongs against your hip twice for good luck, load up your air fryer, and enjoy the crunch!