Get ready to roll with this easy recipe for homemade spring rolls! These snacks are all about fresh veggies tucked into a crispy wrapper.
Perfect for a light lunch or a fun appetizer, they're simple to make and absolutely delicious.
These rolls are plant-based and simple to make, but you can add meat if you prefer a heartier bite.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
Two of the main reasons this easy spring roll recipe works effectively are its simplicity and versatility.
With a minimal ingredient list featuring basic, cost-effective vegetables like cabbage, carrots, onions, and soy sauce, these healthy spring rolls become an affordable option for homemade appetizers.
Additionally, these crispy spring rolls are a versatile appetizer perfect for any gathering or party. Their crispy, fulfilling nature appeals to a number of people and can be served with various dipping sauces to suit different tastes. They can also be prepared in advance, making them a convenient choice for entertaining.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
Cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, spring onions, and onions are commonly used in spring roll fillings for their crisp texture, vibrant color, and complementary flavors. OTher veggies that you can add to your homemade spring rolls include bean sprouts, zucchini, mushrooms, snap peas, spinach, or kale.
Seasoning:
The spring roll filling is seasoned using soy sauce, rice vinegar salt and pepper to enhance their flavor with a balanced mix of salty, tangy, and savory notes. In addition to this simplistic list, you can add ingredients like ginger, hoisin sauce, garlic, sesame oil, crushed red chili flakes, corriander, cilantro, or five spice mix to season your homemade spring rolls.
Wraps:
While this recipe uses a wonton style wrap for a crispier, hartier outcome, you can also use rice paper wraps if you want to make gluten-free spring rolls or vegan spring rolls.
How to Make Spring Rolls
Step One:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Step Two:
Add the onions, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers to the hot pan and stir to incorporate.
Step Three:
Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper, and saute until the vegetables are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
Step Four:
Position a spring roll wrapper in a diamond shape on the work surface in front of you. Add some of the veggie mixture to the center, and top with spring onions.
Step Five:
Wet the edges of the corner closest to you using your finger. Fold the left and right sides of the wrapper inward over the fillings, keeping them neatly inside the spring roll.
Step Six:
Fold the top of the wrapper over the fillings, tucking it in tightly but gently to secure the ingredients.
Step Seven:
Proceed to roll everything down towards you, keeping the roll tight without squeezing too hard. Roll to the bottom corner, pressing gently to seal.
Step Eight:
Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining ingredients.
Step Nine:
Heat a cup of olive oil in a small pot over high heat.
Step Ten:
Once the oil has reached boiling, add a spring roll and deep fry it for 3-5 minutes until it is crispy and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining spring rolls.
Step Eleven:
Place cooked spring rolls on a paper towel-lined plate to cool and absorb excess oil.
Step Twelve:
Serve your fresh spring rolls with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Tips
- Use a moderate amount of filling to avoid tearing the rice paper. Start with a small amount, and add more if needed.
- Ensure you dampen the bottom corner of the spring roll wrap so that it adheres when you roll it up.
- Deep fry your homemade spring rolls one at a time. While this may take a bit longer, cooking them together could result in an uneven cook and them getting stuck together.
What to Serve With Spring Rolls
Spring rolls pair well with a variety of dipping sauces and side dishes that enhance their flavors. Serve them with a classic peanut sauce or hoisin sauce for a burst of flavor.
For a complete meal, accompany your spring rolls with a light cucumber salad, a bowl of wonton soup, or a plate of delicious Hong Kong noodles.
FAQs
Can I add meat?
Sure. First, cook the ground pork\chicken\beef in the pan until fully browned, then remove it and set aside. Next, use the same pan to cook the vegetables. Before wrapping, add the pork back to the mixed vegetables.
Can I make homemade spring rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can make spring rolls a few hours in advance. Keep them covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator to prevent drying out. Additionally, you can make them days or even months in advance. Simply freeze them before deep frying so that you have fresh spring rolls on hand anytime you want them.
Can I make baked spring rolls? Air fryer spring rolls?
Yes and yes! For baked spring rolls, preheat your oven to 400F, place the rolls on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through. For air fryer spring rolls, preheat your air fryer to 360F, arrange the rolls in a single layer, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What's the best way to store leftover spring rolls?
Store leftover spring rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To freeze, place uncooked spring rolls on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How do I reheat leftover spring rolls?
To reheat fried spring rolls, bake them in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the spring rolls soggy.
Appetizer Recipes
It can be a challenge to find appetizer ideas that everyone will enjoy when you are hosting a party or get together. That's why we've taken the liberty of gathering some of our favorite appetizer ideas to help you feed your guests with the least amount of effort possible.
Air Fryer Ling Ling Potstickers
Spring Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 4 cups cabbage sliced
- 1 cup bell pepper sliced
- 1 cup carrot sticks
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package spring roll wrappers
- 2 tablespoons spring onions chopped
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers to the hot pan and stir to incorporate.
- Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper, and saute until the vegetables are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
- Position a spring roll wrapper in a diamond shape on the work surface in front of you. Add some of the veggie mixture to the center, and top with spring onions.
- Wet the edges of the corner closest to you using your finger. Fold the left and right sides of the wrapper inward over the fillings, keeping them neatly inside the spring roll.
- Fold the top of the wrapper over the fillings, tucking it in tightly but gently to secure the ingredients.
- Proceed to roll everything down towards you, keeping the roll tight without squeezing too hard. Roll to the bottom corner, pressing gently to seal.
- Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining ingredients.
- Heat a cup of olive oil in a small pot over high heat.
- Once the oil has reached boiling, add a spring roll and deep fry it for 3-5 minutes until it is crispy and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining spring rolls.
- Place cooked spring rolls on a paper towel-lined plate to cool and absorb excess oil.
- Serve your fresh spring rolls with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- Use a moderate amount of filling to avoid tearing the rice paper. Start with a small amount, and add more if needed.
- Ensure you dampen the bottom corner of the spring roll wrap so that it adheres when you roll it up.
- Spring rolls can be made ahead of time and frozen. When ready to serve, fry them directly from the freezer without thawing.
- Feel free to add meat. First, cook the ground pork/beef/chicken in the pan until fully browned, then remove it and set aside. Next, use the same pan to cook the vegetables as directed in step 3. Before wrapping, add the pork back to the mixed vegetables.