After showing you our sweet and sour sauce recipe, we bring you these simple homemade spring rolls. They are very easy to prepare, and although there are healthier ways to eat vegetables, they are a great alternative for children and for people who do not particularly like them, because they are delicious.
Our recipe contains gluten, so it is not suitable for celiacs. However, you can substitute the thin Chinese pasta with rice paper, which is also very tasty, although it is not as crispy and can break or become transparent more easily.
This is the traditional version you will find in Chinese restaurants, but you can also prepare the spring rolls steamed, boiled, or even raw. Our filling is very simple. It includes garlic, onion, carrot, napa cabbage, and bean sprouts, but you can change it to your liking. Almost any vegetable will work well, and they are also delicious with red cabbage.
We usually use a wok when we make these kinds of Asian recipes because very little oil is needed and the rolls turn out tastier. But if you do not have one, do not worry, you can use a frying pan.
To seal the rolls and prevent them from unrolling, beaten egg is usually used, but water can also work well. It is lighter, cheaper, and more vegan-friendly.
Although this is not a light recipe because the rolls are fried, if the oil is very hot they brown in less than a minute, so they do not absorb much oil and stay quite crisp.
To make the meal complete, these spring rolls go very well with three-delicacy rice, Chinese salad, or even fried banana with honey for dessert.
Table of Contents
How to Make a Homemade Spring Roll Recipe with Dough and Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Recipe Details
Author: Damián Serrano
Servings: 4
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Homemade Spring Roll Dough
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | 150 ml |
| Wheat flour | 75 g |
| Salt | 1 pinch |
| Rice flour or corn starch | As needed |
| Silicone brush | 1 |
Classic Spring Roll Filling
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Minced pork | 150 g |
| Carrot, julienned | 1 |
| Cabbage or Chinese cabbage, julienned | ¼ |
| Onion, julienned | 1 |
| Bean sprouts | 1 handful |
| Ginger, chopped | 1 piece |
| Garlic cloves, chopped | 2 |
| Soy sauce | 1 splash |
| Sesame oil or olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
To Form the Rolls
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Beaten egg | 1 |
| Oil for frying | As needed |
Sweet and Sour Sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rice vinegar | 50 ml |
| Sugar | 35 g |
| Water | 150 ml |
| Ketchup | 1 tablespoon |
| Soy sauce | 1 splash |
| Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon |
| Water | 1 tablespoon |
Preparation
1. Make the Sauce
- Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water.
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining sauce ingredients.
- Heat for about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the cornstarch mixture until the sauce thickens to your liking.
2. Make the Dough
- Mix all the dough ingredients with a mixer, except the rice flour.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan.
- Spread a thin layer of batter in the pan.
- Cook until it releases easily.
- Stack the sheets and dust them lightly with rice flour.
3. Make the Filling
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan.
- Brown the meat, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Heat the other tablespoon of oil.
- Sauté the vegetables with the ginger and garlic.
- Mix the vegetables with the meat and add a splash of soy sauce.
4. Form and Fry the Rolls
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling to one edge of a sheet of dough.
- Roll it up to the center.
- Fold the sides inward.
- Finish rolling and seal the end with egg.
- Fry in hot oil until golden and crisp.
Video Guide 📺
Tips and Tricks for Making Spring Rolls with Rice Paper
Rice Paper Handling Tips
- Keep in mind that rice paper is very sticky, so avoid placing the rolls too close together.
- Arrange them with enough space between each roll.
- You can use two rice paper wrappers per roll to help prevent breaking when browning.
Where Can I Buy the Pasta for Spring Rolls?
You can buy spring roll wrappers at almost any Asian store. If you do not have one nearby, you may also find rice paper wrappers online.
My Rolls Are Breaking or Bursting. What Did I Do Wrong?
Several reasons may cause this:
- You did not use a very non-stick pan.
- You tried to turn them too soon. Wait until they are nicely browned before turning.
- You added the rolls when the pan was not hot enough.
Are Spring Rolls Tasty Without Frying?
Absolutely. They can still turn out delicious and very crispy. Browning them in a pan is possible, but it is usually a bit more difficult than deep-frying because they can stick together and need closer attention.
What to Serve with Spring Rolls?
Spring rolls are fantastic with sweet chili sauce. Despite the name, it is usually more sweet than spicy. They also pair well with rice dishes, light salads, and other homemade Chinese-style sides.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 540 mg |
These values are approximate and can vary depending on the wrappers, filling, frying method, and sauce amount used.
FAQs
Can I make spring rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and roll them in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge for a few hours before frying so they do not dry out.
Can I bake spring rolls instead of frying them?
Yes. Baking gives a lighter result. Brush them lightly with oil and bake until golden, turning once for more even browning.
Can I use only vegetables in the filling?
Yes, absolutely. You can skip the pork and use more cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, or bean sprouts for a simple vegetable version.
What is the best oil for frying spring rolls?
A neutral oil with a high smoke point works best, such as sunflower oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
How do I keep spring rolls crispy for longer?
Drain them well on paper towels after frying and avoid stacking them while hot. This helps keep the outside crisp.
Conclusion: These homemade spring rolls are simple, flavorful, and easy to adapt with your favorite ingredients. Whether you fry them for the classic crispy finish or make a lighter version at home, they are a fun and satisfying appetizer to serve with your favorite sauces and sides. With a simple filling, easy dough, and a few helpful tips, they are a great recipe to make again and again.
