Frozen spring rolls can be a lifesaver when you need a quick and easy snack or appetizer. But, if you’ve never cooked them before, it can be tricky to know how to do it properly. This step-by-step guide will show you how to cook frozen spring rolls using 3 different methods – in the oven, in the air fryer, and on the stovetop, so they come out perfectly every time. Plus tips on avoiding common mistakes like soggy spring rolls or ones that fall apart.
Before we get started, let’s answer some common questions about frozen spring rolls.
Jump to:
- What are spring rolls?
- Why use frozen spring rolls?
- 3 Ways to cook frozen spring rolls
- Common mistakes when making spring rolls
- Why are my spring rolls falling apart?
- How to make spring rolls?
What are spring rolls?
Spring rolls are a fresh or frozen rolled pastry popular in many East and Southeast Asian cuisines. They typically consist of a thin wrapper filled with various vegetables and sometimes meat, fish, or noodles. Spring rolls can be served as a main dish or an appetizer and taste best when served warm.
Why use frozen spring rolls?
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t have the time (or patience) to cook every day. But that doesn’t mean we have to resort to take-out every night either! So go ahead and stock up on your favorite brand – you’ll be able to make a quick and tasty dinner tonight! These three easy methods will help you create a delicious and satisfying meal without fuss.
They are a convenient way to enjoy this popular dish without making them from scratch. Just pop them in the oven or fryer, and you’ll have delicious spring rolls. Plus, the frozen versions are often less expensive than their fresh counterparts.
What are frozen spring rolls made of?
Frozen spring rolls typically have a filling of chopped vegetables and meat (usually pork, chicken, or shrimp) encased in a thin flour or rice paper wrapper.
Are frozen spring rolls healthy?
This depends on the ingredients used in the spring rolls. Making them with fresh vegetables and lean protein can make them a healthy choice. However, if they’re fried or made with processed ingredients, they may not be as healthy.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get cooking!
3 Ways to cook frozen spring rolls
There are three main ways to cook: baking, deep-frying, and air frying. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the right one for your needs is essential.
1 Baking
Baking is the healthier option, as it doesn’t require any oil. However, baked spring rolls can sometimes be dry and difficult to bite. The high heat of the oven can cause the wrapper to become crispy and hard, making it difficult to eat. If you’re going to bake your spring rolls, brush them with a little oil first. This will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
2 Deep frying
Frying is the traditional way to cook spring rolls, resulting in a crispy, flavourful pastry. However, it does require the use of oil, which can make them less healthy. If you’re going to fry your spring rolls, be sure to use a high-quality oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or peanut oil.
3 Air frying
Air frying is a newer cooking method that uses hot air to cook food. It’s a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it doesn’t need as much oil. Air-fried spring rolls are crispy and delicious, making them a great choice for those who want the taste of fried spring rolls without the extra calories. Lightly spraying the spring rolls with oil before cooking will help prevent them from sticking to the air fryer and give them a nice crispy texture.
Method 1: How to cook in the oven
One of the easiest ways to cook frozen spring rolls is in the oven. This method is ideal if you’re cooking a large batch of spring rolls or if you want to avoid the mess of frying them.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frozen spring rolls
- Cooking spray
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
Instructions:
Step one: Preheat the oven to 400°F
Step two: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
Step three: Another option is to place the frozen spring rolls on a wire rack that has been placed on top of the baking sheet and brush or spray them lightly with oil. This will help prevent them from sticking and give them a nice crispy texture.
Brushing the spring rolls with oil helps prevent them from drying and makes them crispy. Also, be sure to space them out, so they don’t touch each other.
Step four: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the spring rolls are golden brown and crispy. Remember to flip them over halfway through cooking so that they cook evenly.
Step five: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Method 2: How to cook in the air fryer
The best way to cook frozen spring rolls is in a hot air fryer. This method ensures they are cooked evenly and come out nice and crispy. I highly recommend using an air fryer if you have one, as it’s the quickest and easiest way to cook them.
Air fryer frozen spring rolls cook in about 12 to 15 minutes and comes out perfectly crispy. No defrosting is necessary – just pop them straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frozen spring rolls
- Cooking spray or oil
- Air fryer
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Preheat your air fryer to 390° Fahrenheit for at least 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 2
Place the frozen spring rolls in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other and overcrowding it for even cooking. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 3
Spray or brush the spring rolls with oil, if desired. This step is optional but will help the outer layer crisp up. The oil helps create a barrier between the food and the air, preventing moisture from escaping.
Step 4
Cook for 10 minutes. Flip them and air fry for extra 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Check them frequently to prevent them from burning.
Step 5
Remove from the air fryer and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Let them cool slightly and serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Method 3: How to cook on the stovetop
Cooking on the stovetop is the traditional method for cooking frozen spring rolls. It’s also the quickest way to cook them since there is no need to preheat the oven or wait for the air fryer to heat up. Aside from that, stovetop cooking is pretty straightforward – you just need to heat some oil in a frying pan and then cook the spring rolls until they are golden brown and crispy.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 package of frozen spring rolls
- 1 quart of oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work well)
- 1 bowl of water for dipping the rolls
Step 1 Heat the oil
Pour the oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat. You’ll know the oil is hot enough when it starts to shimmer. Or you can place the tip of a chopstick or wooden skewer into the oil. The oil is ready to go if small bubbles form around the wood.
Step 2 Prepare the rolls
While the oil is heating up, prepare the spring rolls. First, take them out of the package and let them thaw for about 5 minutes. They’ll be easier to work with after that.
Next, dip each spring roll in the bowl of water. Doing so will cook evenly and won’t stick to the oil.
Why dip in the water? The water creates a barrier between the oil and the spring roll wrapper. This prevents the oil from seeping in and making the spring rolls greasy. Also, the water helps to cook the wrapper evenly, so it’s not soggy in some spots and burnt in others.
The water activates the starches in the wrappers, which helps them adhere to each other and create a seal crucial if you use homemade spring roll wrappers.
Step 3 Fry the rolls
Carefully add the spring rolls to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them for 3-5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the spring rolls from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate. Enjoy! Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
The draining and cooling process matters
The process of draining and cooling spring rolls is also vital in ensuring crispness. Spring rolls taste best when they are well-drained.
The best way to drain them is on a wire rack that has been placed over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. This allows the hot oil to drip off and the spring rolls to cool evenly on all sides.
When you remove the spring rolls from the oil, place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate. This will help remove any excess oil and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Pro tips when cooking frozen spring rolls:
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – this will cause the rolls to stick together and won’t allow them to cook evenly.
- Drain the spring rolls on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Space between the rolls prevents heat retention, and the rack lets excess oil drain.
- If you’re short on time, you can cook the spring rolls in the microwave instead of frying them. Just place them on a microwavable-safe plate and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
- If you’re not planning on eating all the spring rolls right away, you can keep them warm in a 200° oven until you’re ready to serve them.
- Spring rolls are usually served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, but you can use any sauce you like. Try BBQ sauce, ketchup, ranch dressing, or even honey mustard.
Common mistakes when making spring rolls
There are a few common mistakes people make when cooking frozen spring rolls.
Here are a few tips to avoid these mistakes:
- Don’t overcook the spring rolls – they should be golden brown and crispy, not dark brown and burnt.
- If the spring rolls are sticking together, it’s because they’re overcrowded. Make sure to cook them in batches, so they have enough room to move around.
- If the spring rolls are greasy, it’s because the oil wasn’t hot enough. Make sure the oil is shimmering before adding the spring rolls.
- Not heating the oil enough – if the oil isn’t hot enough, the spring rolls will absorb too much oil and be greasy. Be sure to dip each roll in water before frying. If the spring rolls are soggy, you did not dip them in water before cooking.
- Overcrowding the pan will cause the spring rolls to stick together and won’t allow them to cook evenly.
- Not drain the spring rolls on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
- Not using a slotted spoon to remove the spring rolls from the oil – will allow the oil to drain away properly.
- Not serving the spring rolls with a dipping sauce – sweet and sour is the most common sauce served with spring rolls, but you can use any sauce you like. Try BBQ sauce, ketchup, ranch dressing, or even honey mustard.
Why are my spring rolls falling apart?
Usually, spring rolls fail to stay together because they have not been dipped in water before cooking. Why is that? Be sure to dip each roll in water before frying. Dipping the spring rolls in the water helps create a barrier between the wrapper and the hot oil. This prevents the spring rolls from absorbing too much oil and keeps them from falling apart.
Another reason spring rolls may fall apart is that you did not cook them in hot enough oil. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the spring rolls will absorb too much oil and be greasy. Make sure the oil is shimmering before adding the spring rolls.
Finally, keep it tight! It is crucial to roll spring rolls tightly, or the filling will fall out when you fry it. Tuck the ends and roll them up tightly so the fillings stay inside.
What temperature do you cook frozen spring rolls?
It would be best if you cooked frozen spring rolls at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring rolls will come out crisp and well-cooked this way.
How long do you cook frozen spring rolls?
It depends on what method you’re using to cook them.
- They will take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook through if you’re cooking them in the oven.
- They will take about 3-5 minutes to cook through if you’re cooking them on the stovetop.
- And if you’re cooking them in the air fryer, they will take about 10 to 12 minutes to cook through.
Do you have to thaw frozen spring rolls before cooking?
No, you don’t have to thaw frozen spring rolls before cooking them. You can cook them straight from the freezer. However, if you choose to thaw them first, it will reduce the cooking time and help them cook evenly. Thaw the spring rolls for about 5 minutes in the fridge before cooking.
Can you cook frozen spring rolls in the microwave?
You can cook frozen spring rolls in the microwave, but they will not be as crispy as spring rolls that are cooked in the oven or fried. To cook frozen spring rolls in the microwave, place them on a microwavable safe plate and cook for 2 minutes. Then, cook in 30-second intervals until they are heated through. The result will be a softer, less crispy spring roll.
Can you fry frozen spring rolls?
Yes, you can fry frozen spring rolls. Just make sure to preheat the oil to the proper temperature and cook them for the recommended amount of time. Do not overcrowd the pan, and be careful not to splash hot oil.
Should you steam frozen spring Rolls?
The answer is no. Steaming will make them soggy and difficult to eat. Baking, air frying, or frying is a better option. Both of these methods will result in a crispy and delicious spring roll.
What are some good dipping sauces for frozen spring rolls?
Many different sauces go well with frozen spring rolls. Experiment and find the perfect sauce to complement your spring rolls.
Some of our favorite dipping sauce recipes include:
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- BBQ Sauce
- Ketchup
- Sriracha/Mayo Sauce
What is the difference between fresh and frozen spring rolls?
Fresh spring rolls are made with raw ingredients rolled in a flour or rice paper wrapper and then cooked. The frozen versions of spring rolls are made with pre-cooked ingredients, rolled into flour or rice paper wrappers, and frozen. Both spring rolls can be fried, baked, or air fried. However, frozen spring rolls will require less cooking time since the ingredients are already cooked.
What are some common fillings for frozen spring rolls?
Fillings for frozen spring rolls can vary depending on what you like. However, some common fillings include noodles, vegetables, and meat.
Also available are frozen spring rolls filled only with vegetables or noodles.
Some common fillings include:
- vegetables
- noodles
- tofu
- pork
- shrimp
When making your frozen spring rolls, cook the fillings thoroughly before wrapping and freezing them. This will ensure they are thoroughly cooked when reheated.
How should you store frozen spring rolls?
What is the shelf life of frozen spring rolls?
Frozen spring rolls will last for 3-4 months in the freezer. After that, they may start to deteriorate and lose their flavor. If you want to keep them longer, you can vacuum seal them or store them in an airtight container.
What is the best way to reheat frozen spring rolls?
You can reheat frozen spring rolls in the oven, microwave, or air fryer. However, they are best reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispiness. Microwaving them can make them soggy.
How to make spring rolls?
While there are many different ways to make spring rolls, the most common method is to roll them up and then fry or bake them. This step-by-step guide will show you how to make spring rolls, which come out perfectly every time.
Find the my recipe here.
