Briefly, there are four ways to reheat crispy egg rolls: in an air fryer, in the oven, in the microwave, or in a skillet. Each method requires heating the egg rolls for a few minutes and removing the excess oil.
This Chinese delicacy is known for its crunchy surface and soft and juicy filling. They are so perfect while fresh that sometimes there seems to be no way to warm them up to be so fine. But there is.
Although it is very challenging to keep the crunchiness of the shell, once you understand it, you will become a true master of egg rolls leftovers.
Before you give up, we want to tell you that the warm-up process is not complicated at all. When you choose the technique you want and that works best for you at a given time, just adjust the method and follow the instructions. The result will surely be good.
We bring you a few ways you can try.
Heating Up Egg Rolls In An Air Fryer
When it comes to crispy treats, the air fryer is the perfect helper for reheating. If you want flawlessly heated egg rolls without the addition of oil and with a crispy crust, the fryer is a safe choice. The procedure is more than simple, and the result is fantastic.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 °F
A medium heat temperature of 350 degrees will be the perfect strength for a good result. Set the deep fryer to the desired temperature and let it heat up thoroughly before inserting the cooked egg rolls leftovers into it.
With this strength, you will get a heated center, and there is no fear that the crust will burn.
Step 2: Place the Egg Rolls in a Basket
All you need to do next is arrange the egg rolls in the air fryer basket. Make it so that they are in one layer and there is a little space between each one.
The airy stacking method will provide heating the egg rolls evenly and you’ll get a crispy crust. If you cram in too many pieces at once, some parts may remain underheated or even soggy.
Step 3: Deep Fry Egg Rolls for 3 to 4 Minutes
Now it’s time for the main step. Put the cold egg rolls for deep frying for about 3 to 4 minutes. That will be just enough time to warm up thoroughly.
If your egg roll leftovers are a little moist and soggy, the air fryer will do a great job of drying them out and making them crispy again. Your reheated egg rolls will be quite similar to freshly made ones.
Reheating Egg Rolls In The Oven
If you want to maintain the perfect crispiness of egg rolls, and don’t have an air fryer nearby, then it is best to opt for an oven. You have to take a little more time, but the result will be perfect. Here are some tips to follow to make everything turn out well.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
The right temperature is actually the key to success in this case. The oven should be warm enough to restore a crispy texture, but again not too much so that the rolls do not burn.
In which case, you could have hard and inedible armor. So, turn the toaster oven to 350 degrees F and let it heat up thoroughly.
Step 2: Arrange the Egg Rolls on a Baking Sheet and Start Warming Up
Arrange the egg rolls on a baking tray so that each has enough space. Do not load them on top of each other. Then, when the oven is completely preheated, put the egg rolls inside and let it bake for 3 minutes.
Open the oven and flip over each of the rolls to heat evenly on all sides. Return to baking for an additional 3 minutes. This should be just enough time for the egg rolls to be nicely heated inside and for the crust to remain crispy.
If you estimate that a little more heating is needed to reach the ideal temperature, feel free to extend the baking period by a minute or two.
Warming Egg Rolls In A Microwave
The biggest danger when heating up in the microwave is the soggy egg rolls. So pay close attention to the warm-up period to avoid this.
The result will not be as good as in the air fryer or a toaster oven, but the microwave is there primarily to save you time, and you will certainly achieve that.
Step 1: Put Egg Rolls on the Trivet if you have it
If you have a trivet that you can use in the microwave, it will be of great help to you. That way, the egg rolls won’t get a soggy bottom. If you have no choice, then simply put the rolls on a plate.
Step 2: Put the Egg Rolls in the Microwave and Start Heating
First, put the egg rolls in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm the inside well. Take them out and turn each one over. This is especially important if you don’t have a trivet but just a plate because you’ll prevent the bottom to soften.
When you have flipped over each roll, put them back and heat for an additional 15 seconds. Then, check that it is warm enough and turn on for an extra 15 seconds cycle if necessary.
Reheating Egg Rolls In A Skillet
Skillet is another quick way to reheat egg rolls. The only drawback is that you need to add extra oil to the egg rolls, which already have oil on them from the first frying. The crust will certainly be finely crispy, even a little extra baked.
Step 1: Add Some Oil in a Skillet and Let it Preheat on a Medium Fire
Put the cooking oil in the frying pan and turn on the stove to medium heat. Put the oil to heat before placing the egg rolls in the pan.
It is important not to heat to the maximum temperature because you want the inside of the rolls to heat up nicely. If you put them on hot oil, the crust will quickly start to burn, and the inside will stay cold.
Step 2: Place the Egg Rolls in a Pan and Fry
Put egg rolls in a pan and fry first on one side until well heated. Turn them to the other side and fry until they reach the ideal temperature.
It is difficult to give the exact minutes for each side as it depends significantly on the heating intensity you put in, but let’s say a few minutes is enough on each side.
Step 3: Pick up Excess Oil with a Paper Towel
To remove excess oil, pat the hot egg rolls with a paper kitchen towel after removing them from the pan. Since they are greasy enough from the original frying, you want to remove as much oil as you can.
FAQs
Can I freeze leftover egg rolls?
You can freeze uncooked egg rolls, but also after you have baked them if you have leftovers. After egg rolls cool down completely, wrap them in aluminum foil. Put the wrapped egg rolls in a plastic freezer bag and put them in the chest. Frozen egg rolls should last up to 4 months.
How long do egg rolls last in the fridge?
If you put them in the fridge, leftover egg rolls should be good for three days. A period in which you can safely take them out and reheat. Don’t leave them longer than that because they could spoil, and as they have a crispy hard crust, you may not notice it right away.
Can I eat an egg roll that was left out overnight?
It would be safest not to do so. Although it may not have necessarily spoiled, leaving the food overnight at room temperature is always a risk for possible poisoning. Egg rolls usually have a colorful filling, so you can immediately notice that an ingredient has gone bad and can cause you illness. It’s safest to store egg rolls immediately in the fridge or a freezer.
How do you keep egg rolls crispy?
To keep egg rolls crispy, it’s essential to drain excess oil properly after frying and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to remove any residual oil. Serve them immediately after frying to maintain their crispiness, and avoid covering them with a lid or wrapping them in a sealed container, as this can trap moisture and lead to sogginess.
Conclusion
The best way to reheat leftover egg rolls is to do it in the air fryer or an oven. You can keep the perfect crunchiness of the crispy exterior, get the ideal warmth of the interior, and at the same time, you will not have extra oil on them.
However, if you’re in a big hurry or don’t have a fryer on hand, there are quick methods in the skillet and the microwave. Be sure to try all techniques and decide for yourself which one gives you the best results.
Reheating frozen egg rolls is pretty much the same; just choose which method suits you best. The only suggestion is that you completely thaw them for a bit more tasty result. Sure, you can reheat frozen egg rolls in an air fryer or a microwave, but the tastiness is somewhat better if you give it enough time to defrost first.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
