Can you reheat cooked egg rolls?

Yes, you can reheat cooked egg rolls in the oven, in the microwave, on the stovetop, and in an air fryer. You can do that in the oven or deep-fried without defrosting.

No matter what method you choose to apply, make sure you have egg rolls warmed up both inside and the outside. 

When the skin of the rolls is on the thicker side, cut them diagonally to check whether they are warm enough or not. For better results, choose any method below and follow the steps.

Oven 

Keeping leftover egg rolls in the fridge makes them soggy and become off-putting. As soon as you store the rolls in the fridge, they lose the crunch. Reheating egg rolls in the oven revives them, making them hot and the wrapper crispy again. This reheating method will make your egg rolls taste and feel freshly made. If you choose to use a toaster, the instructions remain the same. 

There is no need to add oil or use cooking spray, as your egg rolls are likely holding residual oil. Use a wire rack rather than a baking tray for a more even heat distribution. This method is for heating large quantities of egg rolls all at once.

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F. 
  2. Line the baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil or parchment paper. Lining the sheet with foil so that the rolls do not stick to the pan.
  3. Put egg rolls on the baking sheet making sure they do not overlap.
  4. Put the baking sheet with egg rolls in the oven for 15 minutes. Sometimes the rolls are smaller, the skin is thin, and they may take 10 minutes to reheat. The duration of the egg rolls in the oven also depends on how cold they are. Leave the egg rolls to come to room temperature if you want to leave them in the oven for fewer minutes. 
  5. Flip the egg rolls halfway through the cooking time using tongs. 
  6. Take the egg rolls out and serve. 

Microwave 

Microwaving is the quickest and easiest method of reheating egg rolls. However, it is not the best method if you want crispy skin. However, the microwave oven reheats the rolls from the inside, thereby reducing the risk of biting into ice-cold rolls. 

Test their internal temperature with a toothpick, knife, or fork. Prick an egg roll to its center and feel how warm the toothpick is when you pull it out. Do not overheat your egg rolls, as they will turn soggy.

Steps

  1. Use a microwave-safe plate for reheating egg rolls. If you have multiple egg rolls, place them evenly on the plate. For better results, the rolls should not touch one another. 
  2. Microwave the rolls on a high setting for 15 to 30 seconds, depending on the size of the rolls. If you leave the rolls in the microwave longer, they will become brittle. 
  3. Take the egg rolls out and serve. 
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Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to reheat egg rolls is a method if the rolls are not too cold. Take the egg rolls out and let them come to room temperature so that the inside of the rolls does not remain cold after taking them out from the fryer. 

That is quick and easy as the method delivers consistency (Airfryanytime.com). The egg rolls will turn crunchy the longer you leave them in.

Steps

  1. Put the egg rolls in the air fryer. 
  2. Set the air fryer at 350 °F. 
  3. Leave the rolls in the air fryer for 1 minute. 
  4. Flip the rolls and put them back in the fryer for another minute. 
  5. Take the egg rolls out and serve.

Stovetop 

If you do not feel like turning on the oven and you do not enjoy microwave-reheated food, then reheating egg rolls on the stovetop might be your best pick. Heat egg rolls on the stovetop on low heat, and do not leave the egg rolls in the pan for too long. 

High heat will make the skin crispy while the inside of the rolls is still cold. That can be a problem if the egg rolls are thicker. Leaving the rolls on the heat for too long may cause the filling to lose its moisture, and the skin will soak up too much oil. 

Drain on a paper towel if oily before serving. The method is a little bit of effort. You have to monitor your egg rolls throughout the process and keep turning them, or they will burn.

Steps

  1. Spray some olive oil on a non-stick pan. Canola oil works as an alternative for egg rolls. 
  2. Heat the pan and put the egg rolls on it once it is well-heated. Putting the rolls in the pan while the oil is not heated will cause them to soak up all of it. 
  3. Rotate the egg rolls to get them crispy and warmed up from all sides. Use kitchen tongs or chopsticks to grip the egg rolls and turn them quickly.5 to 10 minutes is enough to reheat medium-sized egg rolls. 
  4. Keep the heat low to prevent the rolls from soaking up the oil. 
  5. Take the rolls out once crispy and heated.

Deep Frying

The method makes the egg rolls super crunchy, but they become twice greasy. The heat of the oil is most important for this method. Use a thermometer to test its temperature. You can use the handle of a wooden spoon as an alternative, although it is not 100% accurate. 

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Dip the handle end into the hot oil. If a multitude of bubbles forms around the handle, the oil is ready. However, it remains a good indicator. The method is quick, easy, and convenient since less preparation is required (Frymax.co.uk).

Steps

  1. Preheat a pot of oil to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Lower two to three egg rolls into the oil and fry them for 30 to 45 seconds.
  3. Once golden and crispy, remove them from the oil.
  4. Drain excess grease on a piece of paper towel.
  5. Serve immediately.

Storage

Keep egg rolls in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight plastic container or a well-sealed plastic bag. 

Safe Temperatures

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for better results.

FAQs

Can you reheat frozen egg rolls?

Yes, you can reheat frozen egg rolls, but it comes with the risk of leaving the inside of the rolls ice-cold. Sometimes you do not have time to defrost frozen egg rolls. There are two ways to reheat them. Either deep fry frozen egg rolls using a deep fryer or the oven. 

However, deep-frying the rolls adds calories to your food, but it will reheat the frozen rolls quickly. The tip is to start with low to medium heat and then fry them at high heat for more minutes to get them crispy. It may take around 9 to 10 minutes to reheat frozen egg rolls in the deep fryer. 

Transfer the rolls from the freezer into the fridge to thaw for a few hours. Once the rolls have defrosted, reheat them using any method above. An oven may take more minutes to reheat egg rolls from the freezer, but you will have warm and crisp rolls.

How to keep egg rolls crispy?

Skip the oil when reheating in the oven. Do not put any oil on the baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Although it makes the rolls crispier, they become greasy and heavy. This method is not ideal for users watching their weight since there are more calories.

Microwave the rolls for around 15 seconds to warm the filling and transfer them into the oven preheated to 425°F. Leave the egg rolls in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip on the other side and leave them in the oven for three more minutes to get the rolls crispy from all sides. 

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