Vegan Egg Rolls

Looking for a quick and easy meal? These vegan egg rolls are a fantastic choice.

Filled with corn, beans, and tofu, they’re perfect for a fuss-free snack or a plant-based meal.

Enjoy the wholesome goodness of a homemade treat that's both satisfying and simple to make.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This vegan egg roll recipe works because it's a highly versatile dish that can be customized to suit your personal taste preferences or dietary requirements.

This highly customizable recipe allows you to adjust any of the ingredients to suit your preferences. You can experiment with different vegetables, spices, and even protein sources like tempeh or chickpeas, making each batch unique to your taste.

Additionally, this veggie egg roll appetizer pairs effortlessly with a variety of dishes, thanks to its adaptable flavors and textures. Whether served with a side of guacamole, alongside a fresh salad, or with a bowl of soup, this dish's versatility shines through.

Ingredients

Egg Roll Wraps:

You can typically find vegan egg roll wrappers in the refrigerated or frozen sections of most grocery stores, often near tofu or fresh produce. Look for wrappers that explicitly state they are vegan and check the ingredients to ensure they do not contain eggs or other animal products. Traditional egg roll wrappers contain eggs as a binding agent and are widely available in grocery stores' refrigerated sections. If you're looking for gluten-free options, rice paper wrappers are a suitable choice and can be found in Asian markets or well-stocked grocery stores.

Filling:

This recipe's filling features a tantalizing combination of vegan egg roll ingredients that bring out robust flavors and textures. From the creamy tofu to the protein-rich black beans and the spicy Mexican seasoning—typically a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder—this vegan egg roll filling boasts a warm, aromatic profile reminiscent of traditional Mexican cuisine.

However, if you are looking for a more traditional approach to egg rolls, consider incorporating ingredients like colorful bell peppers, savory onions, crunchy carrots, or nutrient-packed spinach or kale for a different texture. Mushrooms offer an umami-rich option, while cooked quinoa adds protein and a nutty flavor.

To elevate the flavors further, soy sauce or tamari can be used for umami richness, ginger for added warmth, and a dash of sriracha or hot sauce can provide a spicy kick. These ingredients not only enhance the filling's complexity but also allow for creative customization to suit various tastes and dietary preferences.

Guacamole:

While this vegan egg roll recipe comes with a simple yet flavorful guacamole recipe, you can opt to use your own or any other favored guacamole recipe. 

You can also skip it and enjoy the egg rolls with any other sauces you like.

Oil:

When it comes to deep-frying your crispy plant based egg rolls, oils with high smoke points are ideal, such as vegetable oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil. These oils tolerate high temperatures without smoking or breaking down, ensuring crispy and evenly cooked food.

How to Make Vegan Egg Rolls

Step One: 

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Step Two: 

Add tofu to the hot pan and sautee for 5-7 minutes until a golden brown crust forms.

Step Three: 

Stir in the Mexican seasoning, black beans, and corn, and cook for 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through.

Step Four:

Remove from heat, mix in the cilantro, and set aside.

Step Five: 

Add the avocado, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, green onion, and olive oil to a bowl and mash together to make the guacamole.

Step Six: 

To build the egg rolls, begin by laying an egg roll wrap in a diamond shape on the table or counter in front of you. Put a spoonful of your vegan egg roll filling in the center of the wrap and fold the two endpoints on either side in towards the center.

Step Seven:

Next, fold the top point down and roll it toward you. When you reach the point closest to you, dab it with water to ensure it sticks closed. Repeat until the remaining egg roll filling is used.

Step Eight: 

Heat enough vegetable oil to submerge the spring rolls in a heavy-bottomed pot until the oil is boiling. Add the egg rolls one by one to the pot to deep-fry them for 3-5 minutes each until they are crispy and golden brown. Repeat with remaining spring rolls.

Step Nine: 

Serve your homemade egg rolls with your homemade guacamole for dipping, and enjoy!

Tips

• After cooking the filling, let it cool and drain any excess moisture. This prevents the egg rolls from becoming soggy.
• Overfilling the wrappers can cause them to tear. Use a moderate amount of filling to ensure easy vegan egg rolls hold together well.
• Ensure the rolls are tight but not overly tight. This helps them cook evenly and prevents them from unraveling during cooking.
• After cooking, place the egg rolls on a wire rack instead of paper towels. This helps maintain their crispiness by allowing excess oil to drain without making them soggy.

What to Serve With Vegan Egg Rolls

For a well-rounded meal, serve them alongside a fresh garden salad topped with a zesty cilantro-lime dressing.

A bowl of spicy tortilla soup can provide a warm and comforting contrast to these veggie egg rolls. Additionally, you can serve a side of Mexican rice or quinoa to add a hearty and flavorful component to your meal.

For a refreshing touch, consider a side of guacamole as I did or a simple pico de gallo. 

FAQs

Can I make baked vegan egg rolls?

Yes, you can. To make baked vegan egg rolls, simply brush the egg rolls with a bit of oil and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy, turning them halfway through.

How do I make air-fried vegan egg rolls?

Preheat the air fryer to 375F and cook the egg rolls for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

What's the best way to store leftover veggie egg rolls?

Store leftover cooked egg rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Additionally, you can freeze uncooked egg rolls. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer bag. Fry or bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

More Vegan Recipes

If you enjoyed these crispy vegan egg rolls, then you might be on the lookout for some great new vegan recipes.

Roasted Cabbage Wedges

Fried Idli

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Crispy Tofu