We eat a TON of Asian food at our house, and this egg rolls recipe is one of our favorite appetizers or a side to complete any Asian dish! My family has made this recipe since we were little, and now our girls make it all of the time!

You get a light, blistered shell, a hot, savory filling, and that satisfying crackle with every bite. The method is straightforward, with tips to prevent soggy bottoms and burst rolls. They are great for weeknights, game days, and family parties.

If you are planning a full takeout at home night, try a few other favorites like Cream Cheese Wontons, Fried Rice, and Orange Chicken.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Ready in no time! This is on the table in only 20 minutes.
  • Easy to make at home. Frying can be intimidating, but this best egg roll recipe is easy to fry!
  • Crunchy and delicious. You may be resentful that we are showing you how to make egg rolls from home!
Ingredients for homemade egg roll recipe on a white countertop.

Egg Roll Ingredients

  • Olive oil (3 tablespoons)- Olive oil adds richness and helps the coleslaw soften quickly, or use vegetable oil to saute the coleslaw.
  • Tri-color coleslaw mix (16-ounce package)-Tri color coleslaw gives you a pre-shredded crunchy, colorful, and mildly sweet mix, or chop your own using green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots.
  • Chicken breasts (3 breasts)-Cooked shredded chicken brings hearty protein and a tender, juicy bite. A 6-ounce chicken breast will produce 1 cup of shredded chicken.
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)- Season the filling simply so the dipping sauces can shine.
  • Egg roll wrappers (16-ounce package) – a paper-thin sheet of dough that fries up crispy.
  • Vegetable oil – a neutral flavor and a high enough smoke point for even, golden frying. Peanut oil and canola oil are great choices as well.
  • Mixins Add green onions or bean sprouts, mix in a dollop of peanut butter, soy sauce, or season with garlic and ginger to your favorite cabbage and carrot slaw mixture. 
  • Dipping sauce Sweet and Sour Sauce or Teriyaki Sauce

How to Make Egg Rolls

FILLING. In a large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 (16-ounce) package of coleslaw and sauté until limp.

  • Add 3 cooked and shredded chicken breasts and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper and turn off the heat.

ASSEMBLE. Place an egg roll wrapper in front of you, angled so it looks like a diamond.

  • Add ¼–⅓ cup slaw and chicken mixture horizontally across the middle of your egg roll wrapper.
  • Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper, then roll up from the bottom to enclose the filling.
  • Add a little water to the edges of the wrapper to seal so it sticks.

FRY. Fill a medium frying pan with ¾ inch oil and heat over medium-high heat to 350–375°F.

  • Working in batches if necessary, fry egg rolls in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

SERVE. Serve warm and with dipping sauces like soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Holding half an egg roll thats been dipped in sauce.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Cook chicken in the crockpot or oven, or use a rotisserie chicken. Substitute the chicken for shredded or ground beef, shredded or ground pork.
  • Fry in batches and avoid crowding; the oil temperature stays steady, and you get even golden crusts.
  • Air fryer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with coconut or olive oil. Place egg rolls in the basket and spray the wrappers with oil. Be sure they’re not touching. Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
  • Bake. Lightly coat them with cooking spray and place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Homemade egg rolls served on a plate.
4.99 from 196 votes

Egg Rolls Recipe

Ready in only 20 minutes, this crispy egg rolls recipe is the perfect appetizer or side to any Asian meal!
Servings: 16
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (16-ounce) package tri-color coleslaw mix
  • 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 (16-ounce) package egg roll wrappers
  • vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions 

  • In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add coleslaw and sauté until limp.
  • Add chicken and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper and turn off the heat.
  • Place an egg roll wrapper in front of you, angled so it looks like a diamond. Add ¼–⅓ cup chicken mixture horizontally across the middle of your egg roll wrapper. Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper, then roll up from the bottom to enclose the filling. Add a little water to the edges of the wrapper to seal so it sticks.
  • Fill a medium frying pan with ¾ inch oil and heat over medium-high heat to 350–375 degrees F.
  • Working in batches, fry egg rolls in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve warm and with dipping sauces like soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or Sweet and Sour Sauce.
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Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • Cook chicken in the crockpot or oven, or use a rotisserie chicken. Substitute the chicken for shredded or ground beef, shredded or ground pork.
  • Fry in batches and avoid crowding; the oil temperature stays steady, and you get even golden crusts.
  • Air fryer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with coconut or olive oil. Place egg rolls in the basket and spray the wrappers with oil. Be sure they’re not touching. Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
  • Bake. Lightly coat them with cooking spray and place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Prep ahead of time. Assemble the homemade egg rolls and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours until frying them.
Freeze ahead of time. Assemble the egg rolls, wrap each one with plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe storage container. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
Store leftovers by wrapping each roll in aluminum foil and refrigerating for 3-4 days or place wrapped egg rolls in a freezer Ziploc and freezer for up to 2 months. For best results, reheat in an air fryer or oven, but the microwave can also be used.
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll, Calories: 72kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.04g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 50mg, Potassium: 157mg, Fiber: 0.003g, Sugar: 0.002g, Vitamin A: 13IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Make ahead of time?

Fridge. Assemble and store covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours until frying them.
Freeze. Assemble the egg rolls, wrap each one with plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe storage container. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.

How to store?

Wrap each roll in aluminum foil and refrigerate for 3-4 days or place wrapped egg rolls in a freezer Ziploc and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results reheat in an air fryer or oven, but the microwave can also be used.

This recipe was originally published January 2013.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.99 from 196 votes (152 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




131 Comments

  1. Joe Gangemi says:

    5 stars
    I love making Egg Rolls but I never use Cole slaw I prefer using Bean sprouts many Chinese Restarunts use bean sprouts

    1. Diane says:

      To me, bean sprouts are the only way to go. It wasn’t until we moved to northern Ontario that cole slaw mix was used but imho bean sprouts are the only way to go!

  2. Valentina says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE making these delicious fried egg rolls recipe!

  3. Joy says:

    5 stars
    These eggrolls are seriously my favorite! They aren’t difficult to make, they’re crispy & tasty!

  4. Kristin Bauer says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing! Great take out alternative 😋😋😋😋

  5. Cindi Kidney says:

    5 stars
    My husband loves egg rolls but I have had a hard time finding the perfect recipe. I think that the search is over. Than you 😊

  6. Kristie Dittbrenner says:

    5 stars
    My college wanted to do Chinese food for dinner and I saw this and new we had to try it. We loved it and they were easy.

  7. LeAnna says:

    5 stars
    Yum yum!! Love these!

  8. Kim says:

    5 stars
    I got a new air fryer and wanted to try making egg rolls. I used this recipe and they were so tasty!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you tried them! Thank you!

  9. Marlene De La Luz says:

    5 stars
    These were so good! My family loved them!

  10. Jennifer King says:

    5 stars
    These are so good! I tried to make a gluten free version with spring roll wrappers. They fried decently but retained a lot of oil.