Air Fryer Egg Rolls

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You will love these homemade air fryer egg rolls! Frying egg rolls in the air fryer is not only less messy than deep frying but also healthier. They are just as crispy and delicious as the deep-fried take-out version, but you only use a fraction of the oil. No one will even notice they’re air-fried!

These egg rolls are so simple to make and come together in a few easy steps. Thanks to using coleslaw as a shortcut, the filling comes together in a flash. They do double-duty as they make for the perfect appetizer or a side dish for a simple weeknight dinner or at a party! There won’t be a single one left. Want another easy air fryer recipe? Try my air fryer tuna steaks recipe, air fryer salmon recipe, or air fryer chicken wings recipe.

Key Ingredients You Need

Ingredients needed to make air fryer egg rolls.

Aromatics — Do not skip garlic or ginger. It adds a ton of flavor to the overall flavoring of the rolls.
Coleslaw — I love how convenient it is to use coleslaw as it saves you the time and effort of shredding vegetables yourself.
Ground meat — You can use ground pork or ground chicken for the filling of your egg rolls.
Soy sauce — This adds a salty and umami flavor to the filling.
Sesame oil — You can use toasted or pure sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil has a slightly nuttier taste.
Egg roll wrappers — You can usually find these wrappers in the refrigerated area where you find tofu. They will need to stay refrigerated until you are ready to use them.

How to Make Air Fryer Egg Rolls

Set of two photos showing garlic and vegetables cooked in a skillet.

Step 1: In a large pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and saute the garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 2: Add the coleslaw mix and cook until wilted.

Set of two photos showing green onions added to a skillet then the filling rolled in a wrapper.

Step 3: Add the ground chicken or pork, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and cook until the chicken has cooked through. Add in the green onions and cook for another minute. Set the mixture aside to cool.

Step 4: To wrap the egg rolls, place one wrapper so that one of the corners is pointing toward you. Place 2 tablespoons of the mixture almost in the middle of the wrapper, just slightly closer to you.

Set of two photos showing the wrappers rolled up with filling and then the cooked egg rolls.

Step 5: Fold the nearest corner to you over on top of the mixture and roll. Fold in one side at a time, first the left, then the right. Roll the egg roll over once more and tuck the top corner over the top. Seal the edges with water or with a beaten egg. Repeat until all the egg rolls are ready. Spray each with a light coat of olive oil spray.

Step 6: On a single layer in the air fryer, cook the egg rolls at 400 F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping over halfway through the cooking time. Cook until they are golden and crispy. Serve with duck sauce.

Close up of an air fryer egg roll cut in half, showing the inside.

Tips For This Recipe

Do not leave the egg roll wrappers out as they will dry out. Keep the wrappers covered with a damp linen napkin as you work through rolling them.
Avoid overfilling the egg rolls as they will burst in the air fryer as they cook.
When rolling the egg rolls, make sure to roll them as tightly as possible so the filling stays compact, and they keep their shape as they air fry.
Sealing the edges with water or beaten egg is a must, or the egg rolls will unroll themselves.
Make sure the egg rolls aren’t touching in the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate properly and they air fry evenly.
If you have leftover filling, serve it with my cauliflower rice for an easy lunch.

Half of an air fryer egg roll dipped into sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these egg rolls ahead of time?

You can make these egg rolls ahead of time! After rolling them, store them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a lightly damp linen napkin so they don’t dry out. Air fry them when ready.

Can you freeze these?

These egg rolls are freezer-friendly. After rolling them up, place them on a lined sheet pan and flash freeze them until frozen. Then, transfer the frozen egg rolls into a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Air fry them from frozen with a few extra minutes when ready to eat.

How do I reheat leftovers?

I like reheating egg rolls in the air fryer, so they stay crispy! Air fry them for 3 to 4 minutes at 400 F or until they’ve warmed through.

What is the difference between egg rolls and spring rolls?

The main difference between the two rolls is that the wrappers used are entirely different. Egg roll wrappers are thicker and made from flour, whereas spring roll wrappers are made from rice flour and are thinner.