Recipes for the table

Yarod

Side Dish

Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls

Discover how to make Air Fryer Pork Egg Rolls that are easy, delicious, and healthier than takeout! Try them today.

Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls

These Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls are incredibly delicious, so easy to prepare, and a healthier option than traditional fried egg rolls. You will no longer want to order takeout once you learn how to make these egg rolls at home!

A white plate with five golden-brown egg rolls, garnished with green onion slices. A small bowl of dipping sauce and a pair of chopsticks are placed beside the egg rolls.

Why You’ll 🫶🏻 these Egg Rolls

I have a fantastic 2-for-1 deal in this post. Two game changers packed into one! The first game changer is my amazing Ninja 4-in-1 Air Fryer. Years ago, I received a large air fryer as a gift, but it’s cumbersome and a hassle to pull out. My Ninja “fryer” (which must be a clever marketing term) feels like having a mini turbo-powered convection oven right on my countertop. I can’t express how much I love it!

The second game-changer that uses the air fryer is these crispy, golden egg rolls. Filled with tasty ground pork and fresh veggies, these delights deliver the crunch and flavor of traditional deep-fried versions, with significantly less oil. Ready in about 40 minutes, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners, appetizers, or whenever you crave takeout but want something healthier and fresher made at home. It’s been over ten years since I last ordered takeout, and this recipe reaffirms my choice. Enjoy! ~Nicole

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls

A variety of ingredients for making egg rolls are arranged on a white surface, including ground meat, a package of egg roll wraps, cabbage, green onions, grated carrots, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, a lime, salt, and oil.

Ground Pork is the key protein in these egg rolls. It adds a rich and savory flavor. Look for unseasoned ground. pork with a lean-to-fat ratio of 70%-30%.

Savoy Cabbage is my preferred cabbage for this recipe. Compared to standard green cabbage, it is milder and slightly sweeter.

Scallions have a mild onion flavor and a tender bite.

Carrots provide a subtle sweetness and help balance the savory flavors in the egg rolls.

Reduced-sodium Soy Sauce is a lower salt alternative to traditional soy sauce. It adds a rich flavor while maintaining a balanced saltiness, allowing other components, such as ginger and lime juice, to stand out.

Ginger Root lends a fragrant, almost lemon-like scent and zesty taste.

Garlic adds a robust, mildly spicy flavor.

Toasted Sesame Oil is a deeply aromatic, flavorful finishing oil that adds a rich, nutty taste. 

Lime Juice adds a refreshing zestiness that complements the richness of the filling.

Egg Roll Wrappers are thick, doughy wrappers made primarily from wheat flour and eggs. Once baked or fried, they become crispy and chewy.

Ground meat is being cooked in a large nonstick skillet on a stove. Beside the skillet, there are small bowls with chopped green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger, along with a wooden spoon in a metal bowl.
A skillet with ground meat and chopped green vegetables cooking on a stove. Nearby are small bowls containing shredded carrots, salt, soy sauce, and a large bowl of shredded cabbage on a white countertop.
A frying pan on a stove filled with shredded cabbage, carrots, and ground meat being sautéed. Metal tongs rest on the pan, ready to stir the mixture as it cooks.
A hand holds a glass jar of Trader Joe’s Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend against a light background. The label is beige with brown text and a brown lid tops the jar.
A skillet on a stove contains a stir-fry of ground meat, shredded cabbage, and carrots, with a wooden spatula resting inside the pan.
Oval white plate with a stir-fry of shredded cabbage, carrots, scallions, and ground meat, set on a light countertop. A wooden spoon rests on the edge of the plate.
A plate of cooked meat and vegetable filling, a square wonton wrapper on a baking mat, a bowl of beaten egg with a brush, and a tray with a rolled wrapper are arranged on a kitchen counter.
A square wrapper with a meat and vegetable filling is on a baking mat, next to a pastry brush. The filling includes shredded cabbage and carrots. The wrapper is dusted with flour, ready to be folded.
A single piece of dough is partially folded into a triangle shape on a brown silicone baking mat, ready for further preparation.
A single folded wonton wrapper sits on a textured silicone baking mat, with the letters SILP partially visible in the bottom right corner.
A close-up of a partially rolled spring roll with a translucent wrapper on a textured, light brown surface dusted with flour.
Two uncooked spring rolls covered with a damp paper towel rest on a parchment-lined metal baking sheet, preparing to prevent them from drying out.
A Ninja air fryer sits on a kitchen counter next to a can of avocado oil cooking spray, with a tray of uncooked spring rolls covered by a paper towel nearby. Cooking utensils and olive oil are in the background.
Four uncooked spring rolls are placed in the basket of a Ninja air fryer set to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, ready to be air fried. The control panel and basket interior are visible.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls

  1. Cook pork in a 12-inch non-stick skillet (no oil needed) over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon.
  2. Add scallion whites, ginger, and garlic, and cook until fragrant.
  3. Add cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, and sugar. Switch to Silicone Tongs and cook until the cabbage is just softened.
  4. Many egg roll recipes call for mushrooms, but I feel they absorb too much of the overall filling’s flavor. Instead (this is strictly optional), I use a bit of TJ’s Umami Seasoning Blend to add an essence of mushroom. The first ingredient is Kosher salt, so a little goes a long way. I know this isn’t available to everyone, but several spice brands offer this type of blend, like Simply Organic. Again, this is optional and will not affect the filling’s flavor if it is not used. However, it adds a wonderful flavor. 🍄‍🟫
  5. Off heat, stir in lime juice, sesame oil, and scallion greens.
  6. Transfer the filling to a platter or rimmed baking sheet and spread into an even layer, and refrigerate until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.
  7. Prep your wrapping station. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water. (I like to use an egg wash for extra adhesion insurance.) I also like to wrap the egg rolls on a Silpat or a Silicone Mat to keep the wrappers from sticking to the counter.
  8. Working with one wrapper at a time, lay the wrapper with one point facing you. Place about â…“ cup of filling on the lower half of the wrapper. Brush all sides with the egg wash.
  9. Fold the bottom corner up and over the filling, pressing down on the other side.
  10. Fold both side corners in over filling.
  11. Roll filling up and over itself until the wrapper is fully sealed, leaving the roll seam side down.
  12. Transfer the roll to a wax or parchment (I prefer wax because it does not absorb moisture) and cover with a damp paper towel while shaping the remaining egg rolls.
  13. Lightly spray the air fryer with cooking spray. I used La Tourangelle Avocado Oil. It is a neutral-tasting spray oil that is chemical-free and non-GMO. It also has a wide spray mist, making it perfect for spraying the desired number of egg rolls to be air-fried.
  14. Place the egg rolls in the air fryer, set the air fryer to 375°F, and wait for the magic to happen! 🪄

*Note- If you do not have a Ninja Air Fryer, you may need to adjust your fryer’s temperature accordingly.

Substitutions

I like to think of egg rolls as an “empty the refrigerator” kind of recipe!

  • You can substitute the ground pork with ground chicken, turkey, or even tofu.
  • Substitute some of the cabbage with thinly sliced red bell pepper. Almost any vegetable will work; just remember to keep the vegetables sliced thin and keep the total quantity of the filling consistent.
  • Substitute soy sauce with Coconut Aminos for a soy-free, gluten-free alternative.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving these egg rolls with the Ginger-Soy Sauce with Scallions as an appetizer, snack, or part of a meal. A Chinese-style hot mustard, duck sauce, or any sauce of your choosing will pair well.

When served as part of a meal, these egg rolls are excellent companions to noodles, like Teriyaki Chicken and Mushroom LoMein, stir-fry such as Stir-Fry Cashew Chicken, hot-and-sour or wonton soups, Asian cucumber salads, dumplings like Shrimp and Ginger Dumplings, and even fried rice, like my Hawaiian Fried Rice.

Four golden-brown egg rolls on a white plate, one cut open to show a filling of vegetables and meat, with green garnish and a bowl of dipping sauce in the background.

Other Asian pork recipes you may enjoy…

Two lettuce wraps filled with a minced meat and herb mixture are served on a white plate with a wedge of lime. Other dishes and ingredients are blurred in the background.
Spicy Minced Pork in Lettuce Bundles
A bowl of white rice served with stir-fried chicken, snap peas, and sauce, placed next to chopsticks. Another similar bowl and a jar of chili garlic sauce are in the background on a woven surface.
Cashew Pork with Snow Peas and Ginger

Source: Adapted from americastestkitchen.com and All Recipes Air Fryer Recipes Edition, 2022

Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls

By Nicole Prep: 10 minsCook: 30 minsChill Time: 5 minsTotal: 45 mins Servings: 8 egg rolls A white plate with five golden-brown egg rolls, garnished with green onion slices. A small bowl of dipping sauce and a pair of chopsticks are placed beside the egg rolls. These Air Fryer Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls are incredibly delicious, so easy to prepare, and a healthier option than your go-to Chinese takeout. They are sure to become your new favorite appetizer, snack, or light meal, all prepared in the comfort of your own home!

Equipment

  • 12-inch non-stick skillet with lid
  • Silicone tongs
  • Air Fryer

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces ground pork, 70%-30%
  • 4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, finely grated on a mircoplane
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 3 cups (- ounces) shredded Savoy cabbage
  • ½ cup (2-ounces) shredded carrot
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 8 egg roll wrappers

Instructions 

  1. Cook pork in a 12-inch non-stick skillet (no oil needed) over medium-high heatuntil no longer pink, about 5 minutes, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon. Add scallion whites, garlic, and ginger and cooke until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, and sugar and cook until cabbage is just softened, about 3 minutes.
  2. Off heat, stir in lime, juice, sesame oil, and scallion greens. Transfer filling to a platter or quarter-size rimmed baking sheet, spread into an even layer, and refrigerate until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Working with 1 egg roll wrapper at a time, place a wrapper on the counter with one corner point facing toward the edge of the counter. Place a lightly packed â…“ cup of filling on the bottom half of the wrapper and mold it into a neat cylindrical shape. Using your fingertips, brush the entire border of the wrapper with a thin film of the egg wash.
  4. Fold the bottom corner up and over the filling and press it down on the other side. Fold both corners of the wrapper in and over the filling and press gently to seal. Roll filling up and over itself until the wrapper is fully sealed. Place the egg roll seam side down on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and cover with a damp paper towel while shaping the remaining egg rolls.
  5. Lightly spray the air-fryer grate or basket with oil spray. Lightly spray the desired number of egg rolls with oil spray, then arrange them on the air fryer grate or in the air fryer basket, spacing them at least ½-inch apart. Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to 375℉. Bake until egg rolls are golden brown, 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

*This recipe can easily be doubled. The number of egg rolls you can cook at once depends on the size of your air fryer. Uncooked egg rolls can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours or frozen (using the IQF-individually quick frozen method) and stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. DO NOT thaw egg rolls before cooking. Rather, increase the cooking time to 12-18 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 248mg, Potassium: 220mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1665IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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