How To Make Spring Rolls In An Air Fryer | Fast Method

Spring rolls in an air fryer hit that sweet spot between a crunchy snack and a lighter take on deep fried takeout. You still get shatter crisp wrappers, but you only need a light coating of oil and a short cook time. This method works for both homemade spring rolls and frozen ones, so you can plan a full appetizer spread or whip up a quick batch on a weeknight.

This guide walks you through every step of how to make spring rolls in an air fryer, from picking wrappers and fillings to timing, temperature, and safe storage. You will see where oil actually matters, how tightly to roll, and exactly what to change for fresh, chilled, or frozen spring rolls.

Why Air Fryer Spring Rolls Work So Well

An air fryer blows hot air around the food, so spring rolls crisp up from all sides instead of only the part touching hot oil. The wrapper browns, the filling warms through, and you keep control over how much oil lands on the plate.

You can cook from fresh, chilled, or frozen, and the method stays roughly the same. You adjust time, temperature, and the amount of oil on the wrapper, not the basic process.

Before you start, it helps to match the type of spring roll to the right settings. The table below gives a quick overview so you can pick times and temperatures that suit your filling.

Best Oil And Wrapper Choices For Air Frying

Pick an oil with a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, sunflower, or refined avocado oil. Stronger oils like extra virgin olive oil can distract from the filling and may smoke at higher temperatures.

Check the wrapper label as well. Thin spring roll wrappers crisp faster, while thicker egg roll wrappers need a slightly longer cook time to brown all the way through.

If you work with frozen wrappers, thaw them in the refrigerator, then bring the stack to room temperature before rolling. Cold wrappers crack easily, so a short rest on the counter makes shaping spring rolls much easier.

Spring Roll Type	Typical Filling	Air Fryer Cook Time*
Fresh vegetable rolls	Cabbage, carrot, scallion, glass noodles	8–10 minutes at 375°F
Fresh chicken rolls	Cooked shredded chicken, vegetables	9–11 minutes at 375°F
Fresh shrimp rolls	Cooked shrimp, vegetables, noodles	8–10 minutes at 375°F
Fresh pork rolls	Cooked minced pork, cabbage, garlic	9–11 minutes at 375°F
Frozen mini spring rolls	Ready frozen snack size	7–9 minutes at 390°F
Frozen full size rolls	Ready frozen entree size	10–12 minutes at 390°F
Leftover restaurant rolls	Chilled cooked rolls from takeout	5–7 minutes at 360°F
Homemade vegetarian rolls	Tofu, vegetables, noodles	9–11 minutes at 375°F

*Times assume a preheated air fryer and a single layer of spring rolls; add a minute or two for a packed basket.

How To Make Spring Rolls In An Air Fryer

Step 1: Set Up Your Filling

Pick a filling that cooks fast and does not release too much liquid. Shredded cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, scallion, and thin rice noodles work well. Add cooked protein such as chicken, pork, shrimp, or crumbled tofu if you like.

Season the filling in a bowl with soy sauce, a touch of sesame oil, grated garlic, and ginger. The mixture should taste bold on its own, since the wrapper has a mild flavor.

Step 2: Prepare The Wrappers

Use square spring roll wrappers from the refrigerated or frozen section, not rice paper. Keep them covered with a slightly damp towel so they stay flexible while you work.

Place one wrapper on the board in a diamond shape. Spoon two to three tablespoons of filling near the corner closest to you, leaving space around the edges.

Step 3: Roll Tight And Seal Well

Lift the bottom corner over the filling, then pull back gently to tighten the roll. Fold in the left and right corners so the sides are straight.

Keep rolling away from you until only a small triangle of wrapper remains. Brush that flap with water, beaten egg, or a slurry of cornstarch and water, then finish rolling so it seals shut.

Step 4: Oil And Load The Air Fryer Basket

Brush each spring roll lightly with neutral oil or spray with cooking spray. This thin layer helps the wrapper brown in the air fryer.

Arrange the rolls in a single layer in the basket with a bit of space between each one. If you need to cook in batches, keep the first batch on a rack in a warm oven while the next one cooks.

Step 5: Air Fry To Crisp Perfection

Set the air fryer to 375°F and preheat for three to five minutes if your model needs it. Cook fresh spring rolls for about 8–10 minutes, turning once halfway so the color stays even.

Listen for a light crackle when you tap the wrapper and check that the filling is steaming hot in the center. If the rolls were chilled, you may need one or two extra minutes.

Flavor Tips And Dipping Sauces

Spring rolls in an air fryer taste best when the filling has plenty of seasoning and the outside meets a simple sauce. Keep a small bowl of light soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a pinch of sugar on the side.

For a thicker dip, stir chili sauce into mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Serve the rolls as soon as they leave the basket so the wrapper stays crisp.

Easy Filling Ideas For Air Fryer Spring Rolls

You can tailor spring rolls to what you have on hand. Use these filling ideas as loose templates, not strict rules.

• Shredded cabbage, carrot, and mushroom with soy sauce.
• Ground chicken with garlic, ginger, and chopped green beans.
• Firm tofu cubes with shredded carrot, bell pepper, and chili paste.
• Leftover roast meat with sliced onion and noodles.

Frozen Spring Rolls In An Air Fryer The Right Way

Frozen spring rolls are perfect for a last minute snack because you skip all the rolling and go straight to the air fryer. Leave them frozen; thawing makes the wrapper soggy and more likely to split.

Heat the air fryer to 390°F. Brush or spray the frozen rolls with a thin layer of oil, then place them in a single layer in the basket.

Cook mini frozen spring rolls for about 7–9 minutes and full size frozen rolls for about 10–12 minutes. Turn once so they brown evenly and check that the center feels hot.

For food safety, leftover cooked spring rolls should reach 165°F again when reheated. The FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart lists 165°F for leftovers of any type.

:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Common Mistakes With Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Even simple recipes can go wrong, and spring rolls in an air fryer are no different. A few small habits keep the texture light and crisp instead of greasy or pale.

Mistake 1: Overcrowding The Basket

If you stack the rolls or pack them too close, the hot air cannot reach every surface. The sides touch, steam builds, and the wrappers soften instead of crisping.

Leave a finger width of space between each roll in the basket. Cook in two or three batches if needed, and keep cooked rolls on a rack so air can circulate.

Mistake 2: Too Little Or Too Much Oil

No oil gives a tough, dry wrapper, while a heavy pour drips into the bottom of the air fryer and can smoke. You only need a thin, even coat on the outside.

Use a pastry brush or sprayer and aim for a light sheen on the wrapper with no visible puddles. If oil pools under the rolls, blot them on paper towels before serving.

Mistake 3: Loose Rolls And Torn Wrappers

Loose rolls trap steam, which pushes against the wrapper and can cause splits. Filling that contains big chunks or too much liquid leads to the same problem.

Slice vegetables into fine strips, keep sauces thick, and roll with gentle tension. If a wrapper tears, patch the spot with a small scrap of wrapper brushed with water.

Serving And Storing Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Once you know how to make spring rolls in an air fryer, serve them straight from the basket while the wrappers stay crisp. Set them on a wire rack for one or two minutes so excess steam can escape before you plate them.

Pair them with a simple dipping tray: soy sauce with chili flakes, sweet chili sauce, and a small bowl of crushed peanuts for the table. A fresh salad or lightly pickled vegetables on the side keeps the plate balanced.

How To Store Leftover Spring Rolls

Cool cooked spring rolls on a rack until no longer steaming, then move them to an airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to stay within safe food handling guidelines.

Guidance from USDA on leftovers and food safety explains that most cooked leftovers keep in the refrigerator for three to four days. After that, quality drops and the risk of spoilage rises.

:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

For longer storage, freeze cooled spring rolls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Press out extra air so ice crystals do not form on the wrapper.

How To Reheat Spring Rolls In The Air Fryer

To reheat spring rolls, place them straight from the refrigerator into a preheated air fryer at 360°F. Cook for 4–6 minutes, turning once, until the outside turns crisp again and the filling reaches 165°F.

If reheating from frozen, add two or three minutes to the cook time and check one roll in the center. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to confirm the temperature.

Issue	What You See	Quick Fix
Wrapper stays pale	Color is light with soft patches	Raise temp by 10–15°F and add 2 minutes.
Wrapper too dark	Spots turn deep brown before center heats	Lower temp by 10–15°F and shorten time.
Filling not hot	Wrapper is crisp but center feels cool	Cook 2–3 minutes longer and check again.
Wrapper bursts	Filling leaks through small splits	Roll tighter and avoid overfilling next time.
Wrapper chewy	Texture is tough instead of crisp	Brush a little more oil and increase time slightly.
Rolls greasy	Oil pools on the plate	Use less oil and switch to a spray bottle.
Uneven browning	One side darker than the other	Turn rolls halfway and rotate the basket.