These Homemade Egg Rolls are packed with juicy pork, aromatic veggies, and a perfectly crispy shell that rivals any restaurant—but at a fraction of the cost. Fully customizable, they can be fried, baked, or air-fried, and freeze beautifully for quick lunches or snacks.
Why You’ll Love These Egg Rolls
- Bursting with Flavor: Garlic, ginger, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili sauce create layers of irresistible flavor.
- Fry, Air Fry, or Bake: Choose the cooking method that works for you—each gives a crispy, golden finish.
- Customizable: Swap pork for chicken, beef, shrimp, or make them vegetarian. Add extra veggies to suit your taste.
- Quick Veggie Prep: Use a food processor to chop the filling in seconds. No tedious chopping!
- Prep Ahead Friendly: Make the filling ahead, roll just before cooking. Perfect for parties or game days.
- Accessible Ingredients: All ingredients are easy to find at most grocery stores.
Ingredients
Egg Rolls
- 18 egg roll wrappers
- ¼ cup water + 2 tsp cornstarch (for sealing)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Pork Filling
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ tsp rice wine (not vinegar)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp Asian chili sauce (like Sambal Oelek)
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Veggies
- ½ small Napa cabbage (or green cabbage), about 11 oz
- 1 3.2 oz pkg shiitake mushrooms, wiped clean
- 2 medium carrots, chopped into chunks
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 4 green onions
- 1-inch fresh ginger, peeled
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp Asian chili sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
Instructions
1. Prep the Veggies
Add cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, green onions, ginger, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Set aside.
2. Cook the Pork
Brown the pork in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, chili sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine & Chill Filling
Add the chopped vegetables to the pork and stir-fry for 1 minute. Transfer filling to a baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15–30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 24 hours).
4. Make Sweet and Sour Sauce
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until slightly thickened. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
5. Assemble Egg Rolls
- Place a wrapper with one point toward you.
- Spoon ¼ cup filling onto the bottom third.
- Fold bottom corner over filling, press out air. Fold side corners toward the center and brush with cornstarch slurry.
- Roll tightly, sealing ends. Cover with a damp towel while you finish the rest.
6. Cook Egg Rolls
- Deep Fry: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry 4 at a time until golden, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels.
- Air Fry: Spray basket with cooking spray. Cook at 400°F for 9–11 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place rolls seam side down, spray with cooking spray, and bake 12–15 minutes, flipping 2–3 times. Broil briefly for extra crispiness.
7. Serve
Serve hot with sweet and sour sauce. Thin sauce with a little water if needed.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t Overfill: ¼ cup of filling is ideal.
- Chill Filling: Prevents soggy wrappers.
- Cover Wrappers: Keep unused wrappers covered to avoid drying out.
- Store & Reheat: Refrigerate cooked egg rolls up to 5 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven.
- Freeze for Later: Fully cooked egg rolls freeze up to 3 months. Bake or fry straight from frozen.
Variations
- Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, or Tofu: Substitute pork for your favorite protein.
- Vegetarian: Add extra mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, sprouts, or stir-fry vegetable medley.
- Extra Veggies: Celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, jicama, water chestnuts, or snow peas.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with:
- Chinese Chicken Dishes: Mongolian, Sweet & Sour, Sesame, or General Tso’s Chicken
- Beef Dishes: Mongolian Beef, Beef & Broccoli, Szechuan Beef
- Appetizers: Potstickers, Wontons, Crab Rangoons
- Soups: Egg Drop, Wonton, Miso, Thai Chicken Noodle
- Asian Salads: Crunchy Asian Salad, Pineapple Salad
These homemade egg rolls are crispy, juicy, and loaded with flavor. Easy to make, freezer-friendly, and fully customizable—your new go-to for family dinners, parties, or game days!