Spring Rolls in the Air Fryer
Frozen spring rolls from the oven often come out chewy at the ends, and deep frying is messy. Air fryer spring rolls are blistered, crunchy and piping hot in about 11 minutes straight from the freezer, with no oil needed. This page uses frozen vegetable spring rolls as the base, then covers duck, rice paper and homemade versions.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 13min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 185kcal
Why the air fryer works for spring rolls
Air fryer spring rolls do well because the pastry is thin and the filling is already cooked or only needs heating. The fast-moving hot air dries the surface and crisps it within minutes, so it tastes like deep-fried pastry without the pan of oil. Frozen rolls go in without defrosting, which is both easier and gives a better result, since thawed pastry goes soft.
Spring rolls in air fryer baskets take only about 11 minutes, so they work as a quick snack or starter. The two things to get right are the preheat and the space in the basket. Check the oven time on the pack and subtract about a third. Whichever type you buy, do not skip the final check that the filling is hot all the way through.
How to cook spring rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for . A hot basket starts crisping the pastry straight away, so the rolls do not go soft as the ice melts.
- Load the basket Take the spring rolls straight from the freezer and place them in a single layer with a little space between them. Do not defrost them. If you want extra colour, brush or spray them lightly with the oil.
- Cook Cook for , turning them over after . If your basket is small, cook in two batches rather than stacking them.
- Check The pastry should be deep golden and crisp and the filling steaming hot all the way through. Break one open to check, and give them 2 more minutes if the middle is still cool.
- Serve Leave the rolls for a minute to cool slightly, as the filling is very hot. Serve with the sweet chilli sauce and the sliced spring onion.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Spring Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen vegetable spring rollsTurn halfway | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Mini spring rolls | 200 °C | 7–9 min |
| Frozen duck or chicken spring rollsSteaming hot throughout | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Homemade spring rollsBrush with oil first | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Rice paper rolls | 190 °C | 8–10 min |
| Reheated spring rolls | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Frozen food in an air fryer
Tips
- Cook from frozen. Ice on the surface evaporates in the hot air. Thawed rolls absorb moisture and go chewy.
- Leave a gap. The rolls should not touch, as touching sides stay pale and can stick together.
- Turn once. Turn them gently halfway to colour all sides, using tongs so the pastry does not tear.
Serving
Serve spring rolls with sweet chilli, soy or plum sauce and a simple salad. For a bigger meal, they go with egg fried rice, noodles or chicken strips, and make a good party nibble alongside chicken wings. To compare timings, see the air fryer cooking times page.
Storing and reheating
Cooked spring rolls keep for 1 day in a covered container in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Do not refreeze spring rolls once they have been cooked from frozen.
Variations
- Homemade filling: Stir-fry shredded cabbage, carrot and bean sprouts with garlic and soy sauce, cool completely, roll in spring roll wrappers, brush with oil and cook at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes.
- Rice paper rolls: Soften rice paper, fill and roll, brush with oil, and cook at 190 °C for 8–10 minutes.
- Duck spring rolls: Cook frozen duck spring rolls at 200 °C for 12–14 minutes and serve with hoisin sauce.
Troubleshooting
- The spring rolls burst open
- Water in the filling turned to steam too quickly. Cook from frozen, do not overcrowd the basket and lower the heat to 190 °C if your air fryer runs hot.
- The pastry is pale and chewy
- The basket was not hot enough or was too full. Preheat, leave gaps between the rolls and add a light spray of oil.
- The spring rolls stick to the basket
- Brush the basket with a thin layer of oil, or put them on a piece of perforated baking paper. Turn gently halfway.
Frequently asked questions
How long do frozen spring rolls take in an air fryer?
10–12 minutes at 200 °C, turned halfway. Mini spring rolls take 7–9 minutes. Always check the pack, as brands vary a little.
Do you need oil for spring rolls in the air fryer?
Not for frozen ones, which are already coated in oil. A light spray gives a deeper golden colour. Homemade rolls need a thin brush of oil.
How do you cook meat or duck spring rolls in the air fryer?
Use 200 °C for 12–14 minutes from frozen. The Food Standards Agency says food is safe once it has been heated to 75 °C for 30 seconds or 70 °C for 2 minutes, so make sure the filling is steaming hot all the way through.
Can you cook rice paper spring rolls in the air fryer?
Yes, but they are chewy rather than crisp. Brush with oil and cook at 190 °C for 8–10 minutes, with a gap between them so they do not stick together.
How do you reheat spring rolls in the air fryer?
Heat at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes until crisp and steaming hot in the middle.
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