Go Back
+ servings
Veggie Egg Roll Recipe

Veggie Egg Roll Recipe

These Chinese-style veggie egg rolls have a crisp, golden wrapper and a flavorful cabbage, carrot, and mushroom filling. They can be fried, baked, or air fried, are meatless and easily made vegan, freezer-friendly, and perfect as an appetizer, snack, or light meal.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Asian-inspired, Chinese
Servings 20 egg rolls

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola, avocado, or vegetable oil, for sautéing
  • 3 cups green cabbage finely shredded (about 1/2 small head; pre-shredded coleslaw mix is fine)
  • 1 cup red cabbage finely shredded (optional, for color and crunch)
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots shredded (about 3–4 medium carrots or use matchstick carrots)
  • 1 cup bean sprouts fresh preferred; canned well-drained also works
  • 1 cup shiitake or cremini mushrooms finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup green onions thinly sliced, white and green parts
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated or very finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar unseasoned
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce optional, for heat
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening the filling
  • 20-24 egg roll wrappers square; use vegan wrappers if making a vegan version
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for sealing (use cornstarch slurry for vegan)
  • oil for frying about 3–4 cups neutral oil, enough for 2–3 inches in a heavy pot, if frying
  • 2-3 tablespoons neutral oil for brushing or spraying if baking or air frying
  • flaky salt optional, a light sprinkle after baking
  • sweet chili sauce for serving
  • soy sauce or tamari for serving
  • hoisin sauce for serving
  • sriracha or chili crisp for serving
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce for optional quick dipping sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar for optional quick dipping sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil for optional quick dipping sauce
  • 1 pinch sugar for optional quick dipping sauce
  • sliced green onion for optional quick dipping sauce

Instructions
 

  • Shred the green and red cabbage and carrots, slice the green onions, mince the garlic and ginger, and finely chop the mushrooms. Aim for small, slaw-like pieces so the filling cooks quickly and rolls easily.
    3 cups green cabbage, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 1/2 cups carrots, 1 cup shiitake or cremini mushrooms, 3/4 cup green onions, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
  • In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons neutral oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
    2 tablespoons neutral oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
  • Add the green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots to the pan. Toss well and cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften but still retain some crunch.
    3 cups green cabbage, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 1/2 cups carrots
  • Stir in the mushrooms, bean sprouts, and green onions. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until the mushrooms release their moisture and most of the liquid cooks off. If the pan looks watery, continue cooking until it looks fairly dry.
    1 cup bean sprouts, 1 cup shiitake or cremini mushrooms, 3/4 cup green onions
  • Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce (if using). Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring to coat the vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt or soy sauce if needed.
    3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce
  • Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the vegetable mixture and stir it in well. Cook for another 1–2 minutes so the cornstarch can absorb excess moisture and slightly thicken the filling. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature; warm is okay, but not hot, so it doesn’t tear the wrappers.
    1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Place a clean cutting board in front of you. Arrange the egg roll wrappers, the cooled filling, and a small bowl with beaten egg (or a vegan cornstarch slurry, 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water). Keep unused wrappers covered with a slightly damp towel so they don’t dry out.
    20-24 egg roll wrappers, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Place one egg roll wrapper on the board with a corner facing you (like a diamond). Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling slightly below the center. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners toward the center. Brush the top corner lightly with egg wash or slurry, then roll tightly toward the top corner, pressing gently to seal. Place the rolled egg roll seam-side down on a tray. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
    20-24 egg roll wrappers, 1 egg
  • To fry, heat 2–3 inches of neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry 3–5 egg rolls at a time without crowding the pan for about 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Adjust heat if they brown too quickly or too slowly.
    oil for frying
  • To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange egg rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush or spray all sides with neutral oil. Bake for 12–15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until crisp and golden. For extra color, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
    2-3 tablespoons neutral oil, flaky salt
  • To air fry, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush or spray egg rolls with neutral oil and place in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crunchy. Check around the 7-minute mark and adjust time as needed for your air fryer.
    2-3 tablespoons neutral oil
  • For a quick dipping sauce, stir together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, a pinch of sugar, and some sliced green onion in a small bowl.
    3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 pinch sugar, sliced green onion
  • Let the egg rolls cool for a few minutes, as the filling will be very hot. Serve warm with sweet chili sauce, soy sauce or tamari, hoisin, sriracha or chili crisp, or the quick dipping sauce.
    sweet chili sauce, soy sauce or tamari, hoisin sauce, sriracha or chili crisp

Notes

Keep the filling fairly dry—if it looks watery, cook it longer and don’t skip the cornstarch, which helps control moisture and keeps the egg rolls crisp. Roll tightly but not so tight that the wrappers tear. For best texture, cook fried egg rolls in small batches so you don’t drop the oil temperature. For make-ahead, the filling can be prepared 1–2 days in advance and refrigerated; let it sit out briefly and stir before rolling. Cooked egg rolls keep 3–4 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the air fryer (350°F for 5–7 minutes) or oven (375°F for 8–10 minutes). Rolled, uncooked egg rolls can be frozen on a tray, then bagged and cooked from frozen with a few extra minutes added to the cooking time.
Keyword Air Fryer Egg Rolls, Baked Egg Rolls, Freezer-Friendly, Fried Egg Rolls, Party Food, Vegan option, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Vegetarian appetizer, Veggie Egg Rolls
Love this recipe?Follow us at @thenandnowspace for more