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These delicious southwest egg rolls are fried to perfection! Serve them with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
These aren’t your traditional Chinese Egg Rolls! In fact, this savory filling is rolled up in a Flour Tortilla. For extra southwest flare, dip in some homemade Chipotle Ranch.
We Love This Tasty Twist!
If you love egg rolls, you have to try this Southwest version!
And if you don’t enjoy deep-fried food, no worries. The oven “fries” these southwest egg rolls beautifully. No oil to clean up, no splatters all over your range, no burns, no mess!! Either way you make them, these Southwest egg rolls are a favorite!
Why we love them:
- Flavorful. They are extra crispy on the outside, and bursting with an insane amount of flavor on the inside.
- Simple. Not only are they delicious but they are EASY to make.
- Party perfect. They make a great party appetizer or a fun main dish the entire family will enjoy.
- Freezes well! Freeze and pop them in the oven when you need them or bake and reheat the leftovers the following day.
Ingredients
- canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil
- chicken breast – Cook your own chicken breast, use leftover chicken, or even meat from a rotisserie chicken.
- frozen or fresh corn
- minced red bell pepper
- minced green onion
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- salt
- cumin
- paprika
- black beans
- fresh spinach
- minced cilantro
- grated cheese – cheddar, colby jack, or pepper jack cheese can all be used.
- flour tortillas – or use traditional egg roll wrappers
- oil for frying – Use a high smoke point oil like canola oil, vegetable oil, or an olive oil labeled suitable for frying.
How to Make Southwest Egg Rolls
- FILLING. In a large non-stick skillet set over medium heat, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and corn. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to brown.
- Add the bell pepper, onion, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and paprika. Mix until combined and continue cooking for 3 additional minutes.
- Add beans, spinach, and cilantro and any other favorite spices. Cook just until the spinach has wilted, then remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
- ASSEMBLE. Divide the mixture evenly between the 8 tortillas. Roll up and fold, taking care to tuck the ends snuggly in to create a nice seal and prevent the mixture from oozing out or oil from getting in.ย
Cooking Directions
- PAN FRY. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add about ยฝ cup of oil to the skillet, let the oil get hot. Add 4 rolls at a time (seam side down) and fry until all sides are golden brown. Remove and let rest on a paper towel-lined plate before serving. Repeat with remaining rolls.
- OVEN BAKE. Preheat oven to 425ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lightly spray (or brush) all sides of the egg rolls with oil and place seam side down on the prepared sheet. Spray (or brush) the tops of the egg rolls with an extra layer of oil. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- AIR FRY. Preheat the air fryer to 400ยฐF. Wrap the southwestern eggrolls as directed in the recipe and spray all sides with olive oil or cooking spray. Working in batches place them in the air fryer basket. Fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Recipe Tips
- Filling. One way to help keep the filling from oozing out when you pan fry it is to toss them in the freezer for 30-40 minutes before frying them.
- Dipping sauce. Southwest egg rolls are delicious all on their own but really shine when dipped in a delicious sauce like our tasty BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ranch, Avocado Lime Ranch Dip, Salsa, Guacamole or Cafe Rio Dressing.
Storing Info
- STORE. Leftover southwest chicken egg rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- FREEZE. Wrap each Mexican egg roll with plastic wrap and place them in a Freezer Ziploc. Store them in the freezer for 1-2 months.
- Reheat them in the oven or microwave.
For More Egg Rolls:
Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 teaspoons canola, avocado or grapeseed oil
- 1 chicken breast cut into ยผ-inch cubes
- โ cup frozen or fresh corn
- 2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons minced green onion
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ยพ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon cumin
- ยผ teaspoon paprika
- ยฝ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, chopped into roughly 1 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- ยพ cup grated cheddar, colby jack, or pepper jack cheese
For rolling and frying:
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas whole wheat work well too
- canola oil for frying or baking
Instructions
For the filling:
- In a large non-stick skillet set over medium heat, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and corn. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to brown.ย
- Add the bell pepper, onion, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and paprika. Mix until combined and continue cooking for 3 additional minutes.
- Add beans, spinach, and cilantro. Cook just until the spinach has wilted, then remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
For rolling and frying:
- Divide the mixture evenly between the 8 tortillas. Roll up, taking care to tuck the ends snuggly in to create a nice seal and prevent the mixture from oozing out or oil from getting in.ย
- For pan frying: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/2 cup of oil to the skillet, let the oil get hot. Add 4 rolls at a time (seam side down) and fry until all sides are golden brown. Remove and let rest on a paper towel-lined plate before serving. Repeat with remaining rolls.
- For oven frying: Preheat oven to 425ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lightly spray (or brush) all sides of the egg rolls with oil and place seam side down on the prepared sheet. Spray (or brush) the tops of the egg rolls with an extra layer of oil. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.ย
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
When you say tortilla shells is that just regular wraps you buy in any store?
Great flavor and a nice change from tacos. Thanks for including the oven frying instructions.
WOW! These are almost exactly like Chili’s Southwest Egg Rolls! That’s my favorite thing on their menu! So delicious! I am going to be making these a LOT! I love this! Pinning so I can find it easily anytime I need to!
I am so glad I found this recipe, these are SO incredible! I am making them again this weekend!
These were full of flavour and crunch! I loved that I could bake them in the oven instead of frying!
Yes, oven for the win! Thanks for sharing!
I only have frozen spinach, how much should I use in place of fresh?
I’d use about 2 oz. of frozen spinach in place of 2 cups of fresh. You can obviously add more or less depending on how much you like spinach too.
The filling is so tasty!! I will be making these for Cinco de Mayo. They will be a hit!
I always wondered how to make these at home. The flavor is amazing!
These are delicious!! SOmething for my whole family!
We are doing a mexican buffet for christmas dinner this year and i totally am going to make these!
is the texture or consistency of the wrap different if they’re baked? I tend to never fry anything just because of the mess. :/ I know.. it’s sad. LOL
Maybe a little, but they would still be great! And, no worries..I hate making messes!
These egg rolls taste as good as the tradional egg rolls. With a bit of a mexican flair….these will not disappoint!