Crispy Southwest Egg Rolls (that you can fry, air fry or bake!) served with creamy cilantro dipping sauce. These could be my favorite party appetizer of all time, and they're freezer friendly!
Dipping Sauce: Add all of the dipping sauce ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add more salsa, if needed, to thin the mixture, or to taste. Refrigerate.
Egg Roll Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, chicken, cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper. Taste and add more seasonings if needed, to your liking.
Assemble: Place one egg roll wrapper on counter with one corner pointing towards you. Spoon about 1/3 cup of filling onto the egg roll wrapper. Take the wrapper end that is pointing towards you and fold it over the filling mixture. Fold in the sides of the wrapper, and then continue rolling the wrapper tightly all the way to the end. Dip your fingers in water and brush the ends of the wrapper with a little water to help seal the wrapper. Repeat with remaining egg rolls (makes about 15-20).
Choose Cooking Method:
To Pan Fry: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 Tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, place a few egg rolls at a time into the pan. Cook them, rotating often, until toasted on all sides. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm, with dipping sauce.
To Air Fry: Spray the basket of the air fryer with oil cooking spray. Place a few egg rolls seam side down, in a single layer in the basket and spray the tops with more olive oil spray. Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve warm, with dipping sauce.
To Deep Fry: In a deep stock pot, heat about 1 quart of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F (medium high heat). Cook egg rolls, turning in the oil to cook evenly, for about 90 seconds, or until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Serve warm, with dipping sauce.
To Bake: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line egg rolls, seam side down, on baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Spray them with oil cooking spray, or brush the tops lightly with oil. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden, rotating half way through cooking. Serve warm, with dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
To Make Ahead: Prepare the filling and sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days, depending on freshness of ingredients. To assemble egg rolls ahead of time, roll them in egg roll wrappers, place in an airtight container, covering them with a damp cloth before applying the lid. Refrigerate for a few hours. Cooked egg rolls can also be made ahead of time, then reheated in an air fryer or hot skillet until toasted again on all sides. To Freeze: Allow cooked egg rolls to cool completely, then place in a freezer safe container. Rewarm from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the cook time) or thaw first, and rewarm on a hot greased skillet or in the air fryer until crisp and warmed through.