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Honestly, once you get the hang of the rolling part—yeah, it might take a try or two—it becomes kinda fun. Like a food version of origami, but tastier.
Here’s what I usually use:
Basic Ingredients:
1 pound ground pork (or ground chicken)
2 cups shredded cabbage (pre-shredded coleslaw mix works like a charm)
1/2 cup shredded carrots
3 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but soooo good)
Egg roll wrappers (around 20)
1 egg (for sealing)
Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil is best)
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chinese Egg Rolls
Step 1: Cook the filling.
In a big ol’ skillet, cook the pork until it’s no longer pink. Toss in the garlic, cabbage, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir everything around till it’s tender and smells like something your neighbors are gonna ask about. Let it cool a bit—hot filling will tear the wrapper.
Step 2: Roll ‘em up.
Lay out an egg roll wrapper like a diamond. Scoop 2 tablespoons of filling near the center. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then the sides, and roll it up tight. Seal the edge with a little beaten egg.
Step 3: Fry time.
Heat oil in a pan (like, 350°F-ish). Fry a few egg rolls at a time until they’re golden brown—about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Try not to eat them all before serving. (Hard. Very hard.)
Air Fryer Egg Rolls? Yep, That Works Too
Okay, so sometimes I don’t feel like dealing with hot oil (or the clean-up). And yeah, the air fryer is a total hero here.
Just brush or spray a little oil on each egg roll and pop them in the air fryer at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They come out crispy, not greasy, and honestly, still dang tasty.
How to Freeze Chinese Egg Rolls (Meal Prep Win!)
These freeze so well, I usually make a double batch. Once they’re rolled (but not cooked yet), I stick them on a tray, freeze for an hour, then toss them in a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to cook, just fry or air fry straight from frozen—add a couple extra minutes.
Great for lazy weeknights or those days when takeout just isn’t in the budget.
Dipping Sauces That Go with Chinese Egg Rolls
Not to be dramatic, but the dip is kind of everything. Here are my go-tos:
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