These Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls are packed with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, peppers, fresh cilantro, and plenty of melty cheese, all wrapped in a crispy egg roll wrapper. They're loaded with bold Southwestern flavor and come out beautifully golden in the air fryer without the mess of deep frying.
Whether you're serving them as a game day appetizer, party snack, or fun weeknight dinner, these homemade egg rolls are always a hit. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you're looking for an appetizer that's easy to make and guaranteed to impress, these air-fried egg rolls are it.
Quick and easy to make - Using cooked chicken means the filling comes together in just minutes. Once assembled, the air fryer does the rest.
Simple ingredients - Everything in this recipe is easy to find at the grocery store, and rotisserie chicken makes prep even faster.
Bold Southwestern flavors - Seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, and two kinds of cheese create layers of flavor in every crispy bite.
Copycat favorite - These chicken southwest egg rolls taste just like your favorite restaurant version, with a crispy air-fried wrapper and plenty of bold Southwestern flavor.
Great finger food for game day and parties - They're easy to pick up, easy to dip, and perfect for serving a crowd.
Tasty appetizer for Cinco de Mayo - These crispy southwest chicken egg rolls fit right in with taco night, Mexican-inspired dinners, or spur-of-the-moment get-togethers.
Ingredients and Their Role in the Egg Rolls
These homemade egg rolls combine hearty filling ingredients with plenty of cheese inside a crispy wrapper. This is what you'll need:
- Cooked chicken - Rotisserie chicken makes preparation quick and adds tender, flavorful bites throughout the filling.
- Taco seasoning - Seasons the chicken with classic Southwestern spices.
- Water - Helps distribute the seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Black beans - Add protein, fiber, and a creamy texture.
- Corn - Brings sweetness and a little pop in every bite.
- Red bell pepper - Adds color, freshness, and a slight crunch.
- Jalapeño - Gives the filling a mild kick of heat.
- Cilantro - Brightens all the flavors with fresh herb flavor.
- Monterey Jack cheese - Melts beautifully and adds creamy richness.
- Sharp Cheddar cheese - Adds bold cheesy flavor.
- Egg roll wrappers - Crisp up perfectly in the air fryer while holding all the delicious filling together.
- Nonstick cooking spray - Helps the wrappers brown evenly and become wonderfully crispy.
- Green onions - An optional garnish that adds fresh color and flavor.
How to Make Southwest Egg Rolls in an Air Fryer
These egg rolls come together in just a few easy steps and cook in under 10 minutes. Here's what to do:
- Mix up all the filling ingredients in a large bowl - diced taco-seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, diced red bell pepper, minced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, and shredded Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses.
- Lay an egg roll wrapper in front of you, on a diagonal, so it looks like a slightly misshapen diamond. Place 3 Tablespoons of filling slightly off-center on the egg roll wrapper.
- Bring the corner nearest you up over the filling and press to make it a tight roll. Slightly moisten two outer edges with a little water.
- Fold the outer edges in towards the center.
- Roll the wrapper up the rest of the way, moistening the top edge.
- Secure the top edge into a little egg roll bundle. Repeat with remaining egg wrappers.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket or grate with nonstick spray. Place the egg rolls into the air fryer making sure there is plenty of airflow around them to cook evenly. Spray the tops of the egg rolls with nonstick spray.
- Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes, then turn them over, spray tops again, and cook for another 4 minutes. Check your egg rolls after 4 minutes and gauge how fast they are cooking with your particular air fryer. Adjust time accordingly.
Recipe Tips for Success
A few simple tips will help you make perfectly crispy egg rolls every time.
- Drain the black beans and corn well so excess moisture doesn't make the wrappers soggy.
- Don't overfill the wrappers or they'll be harder to roll and more likely to burst while cooking.
- Roll each egg roll tightly to help it hold its shape.
- Keep unused egg roll wrappers covered with a damp towel while assembling so they don't dry out.
- Seal the edges well with water to prevent the filling from leaking.
- Spray every side of the egg rolls with cooking spray for the crispiest finish.
- Leave space between the egg rolls so hot air can circulate.
- Cook in batches instead of overcrowding the basket.
- Since air fryer models vary, begin checking a minute or two before the cooking time is complete.
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Recipe Variations to Make Them Your Own
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Chicken - Substitute cooked ground beef, shredded pork, or pulled pork.
- Cheese - Try Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Taco seasoning - Use Southwest or Tex-Mex seasoning for a slightly different flavor.
- Jalapeño - Swap with serrano, poblano, or Hatch chiles.
- Black beans - Pinto beans or kidney beans work well too.
- Cilantro - Use fresh parsley if you're not a fan of cilantro.
Make Ahead
These egg rolls are excellent for meal prep and entertaining.
Assemble the egg rolls up to 24 hours in advance and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet or platter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap so the wrappers stay soft and don't dry out.
When you're ready to cook, let them sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before placing them in the air fryer. This helps them cook more evenly and brown beautifully.
What to Serve with Southwest Egg Rolls
These crispy egg rolls are delicious with creamy, cool dipping sauces that balance their bold Southwestern flavor.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Storing - Allow leftover egg rolls to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing - Both cooked and uncooked egg rolls freeze well. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating - For the crispiest results, reheat refrigerated egg rolls in a 375°F air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. Frozen cooked egg rolls can be reheated directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes. Avoid microwaving whenever possible since the wrappers will lose their crispness.
Questions?
Scroll down below the recipe card to find frequently asked questions about the egg rolls and air frying them.
More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
The air fryer makes appetizers crispy, delicious, and incredibly easy. Here are a few more favorites to try.
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower - Crispy cauliflower tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce.
- Air Fryer Crispy Tortellini - Crunchy cheese-filled bites perfect for dipping.
- Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers - Creamy, cheesy peppers wrapped in crispy goodness.
- Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket - A classic party favorite that's always a hit.
- Air Fryer Pizza Bites - Crispy little pizza pockets everyone loves.
Find lots of easy air fryer recipes here on 2CM!
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Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotisserie chicken diced (any cooked chicken will work)
- 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 15 ounces black beans drained & rinsed (1 can)
- 15.25 ounces corn kernels drained (1 can)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and minced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 packages egg roll wrappers
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Garnish: green onions
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss chicken with taco seasoning that's been mixed with water.
- Combine chicken and next 7 ingredients. Stir well.
- Take an egg roll wrapper out of package and lay in front of you, with one of the corners facing you. It should look like a lopsided diamond.
- Place 3-4 Tablespoons of the chicken-bean mixture on the egg roll wrapper just slightly below the center.
- Take corner that is closest to you and roll over filling. Pull it tight against filling.
- Moisten the edges of the two corners to the right and left then fold over towards center and pat into place.
- Now continue to roll it up, moistening top corner so the roll adheres together in a little egg roll bundle.
- Continue with remaining egg roll wrappers.
- These can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator. Make sure they are covered well with plastic wrap so they stay soft and fresh.
- When ready to air fry, take out of refrigerator and let sit on counter for about 30 minutes to bring closer to room temperature.
- Determine how many egg rolls your air fryer will hold. You want them to have a little space between them so that the air can flow around them.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket or grate. Lay the egg rolls in the basket and spray the tops with nonstick spray.
- Air fry at 390°F for a total of 9 minutes, 5 minutes on one side, 4 on the other.
- At the 5 minute mark, check to see if they are nice and toasty looking. Mine were ready to turn at this stage. Turn with tongs.
- Spray the tops with nonstick spray and air fry another 4 minutes. Again, you can check prior to this time to make sure they are not getting overdone.
- Remove and continue cooking remainder of egg rolls. Serve hot with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.
Notes
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Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest and most flavorful options for this recipe.
Can I freeze them before cooking?
Yes. Assemble the egg rolls, freeze them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook directly from frozen by adding several extra minutes to the cooking time.
Why did my egg rolls burst open?
This usually happens if they're overfilled or not sealed tightly. Rolling them snugly and moistening the edges well helps keep them closed.
Can I bake these instead?
Yes. Bake at 425°F for about 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Can I use frozen egg roll wrappers?
Yes. Just thaw them completely in the refrigerator before using and keep them covered with a damp towel while assembling.
This post has been updated with more helpful tips and tasty substitutions. It was first published on January 24, 2019.
