Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls Let You Enjoy 2 Favorites in 1 Delicious Bite – Easy Air Fryer Recipe
Plus, how to roll perfect egg rolls and make your own buffalo sauce!
It’s hard to picture any party without a plate of tangy and spicy buffalo chicken. Whether in the form of wings, dips or sandwiches, it’s irresistible taste always leaves you wanting more. So, when we heard of buffalo chicken egg rolls, our mouths started to water! Imagine shredded chicken coated in a rich, creamy buffalo sauce and encased in a crispy egg roll wrapper. It’s a crunchy upgrade on finger food that tastes delicious and won’t leave a mess. And even better – it’s so easy to make in the air fryer! This technique fries up your egg rolls grease-free in half the time. Plus, we’re sharing expert tips on using egg rolls and how to make your own buffalo sauce (you won’t be disappointed). So keep reading to learn how to make buffalo chicken egg rolls the life of the party.
What are egg rolls?
There’s a good chance you recognize or already love egg rolls; they’re a popular appetizer in many American Chinese restaurants. They are usually filled with shredded cabbage, chopped meat, and then deep fried in hot oil and served with dipping sauces. Egg rolls don’t actually contain egg in the filling! The name instead comes from the wrapper, a combination of wheat flour and eggs that blisters with tiny bubbles when fried.
It’s easy to confuse egg rolls with their authentic Chinese counterpart: spring rolls. However, egg rolls are bigger, chewier and contain a lot more filling. “Egg rolls are specifically designed for deep-frying, with a thicker texture compared to spring roll wrappers,” says Jay Craddick, executive chef at Humble Baron. Spring rolls use a thin, flakier wrapper and usually contain minimal, vegetarian filling.
See also: Egg Roll Wrappers Are Your $3 Secret to Deliciously Easy Homemade Snacks
Making perfect buffalo chicken egg rolls
Making your own egg rolls at home may sound challenging, but it’s surprisingly easy. Especially if you use store-bought wrappers, your egg rolls will look just like what you order (and taste even better!). You can find egg roll wrappers online at Amazon, in the refrigerated section of your nearest commercial market or specialty Asian markets.
The key to a perfect egg roll is how you roll it. “While rolling up, keep your egg roll wrappers covered so they don’t dry out,” says Julie Miltenberger, Woman’s World Food Director. She adds that a bit of cornstarch keeps the wrappers from sticking. Finally, “seal the final point of the rolls with just a dab of water and start another roll.” Check out this video tutorial from Simply Sissom for an easy demonstration!
For more egg roll recipes, click through for cheesesteak egg rolls and blazin’ chicken egg rolls.
Why you should cook buffalo chicken egg rolls in an air fryer
Is there anything an air fryer can’t cook? We don’t think so! Instead of worrying about grease splattering and hot oil, let the air fryer do all the work. In less time than an oven, the air fryer circulates hot air around the egg rolls to achieve the same crunchy, bubbly crust and tender, creamy filling. Now you can feel better about a healthier, low-fat bite that’s fast and doesn’t leave a mess!
For more air fryer recipes, click through for garlic bread and hot honey chicken!
How to make homemade buffalo sauce
Everything tastes better homemade — even buffalo sauce. If you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, and we mean a little, this sauce comes together in minutes and tastes delicious. Try this simple recipe from Lindsey Baruch at lindsey eats using ingredients already in your kitchen!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hot sauce
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Yield: enough for 15 egg rolls
- In a small skillet, combine hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire, cayenne, salt and pepper over medium-high heat. Whisk until melted and well-combined. Then set aside.
Note: You can always adjust the spice level in your buffalo sauce. For a milder taste, use less hot sauce. Alternatively, choose a mild buffalo or hot sauce at the grocery store.
Easy air fryer buffalo chicken egg rolls recipe
This delicious air fryer recipe from Melissa at Persnickety Plates comes together in 30 minutes. She suggests not overfilling your egg rolls so they hold together while cooking. Additionally, avoid spreadable cream cheese, as it contains more water and can lead to soggy rolls.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- ¼ cup (2 oz.) block of cream cheese, melted
- ¼ cup hot sauce (or homemade buffalo sauce)
- ¼ cup (2 oz.) cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 8-10 eggroll wrappers
Directions:
- Active time: 2 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Preheat air fryer to 260°F. Cook chicken using preferred method and shred on a cutting board (you can also use store-bought shredded chicken, rotisserie or leftovers).
- Melt cream cheese in a large microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in hot sauce (or homemade buffalo sauce) until well combined. Add shredded chicken and coat evenly.
- Place egg roll wrapper diagonal on flat surface or parchment paper for easy clean up. Place about ¼ cup chicken at the bottom of wrapper. Top with sprinkle of cheese (about 1 Tbs.). Fold the bottom point up and over chicken. Then fold in sides and roll up. (Seam side should be down.)
- Place up to 6 egg rolls at a time into air fryer basket seam side down. Brush with olive oil; cook for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until all sides are crispy.
- Finally, remove rolls and garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately.
Note: You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
Tasty dipping sauces for buffalo chicken egg rolls
If you plan on making this dish for an upcoming event, you’ll want some delicious sauces for your guests to dip their golden egg rolls into. Take inspiration from these fun sauce ideas to customize your bite!
1. Ranch
We couldn’t forget this classic combo. This buttermilk and mayonnaise-based sauce is the perfect creamy addition to buffalo chicken.
2. Blue cheese sauce
Chef Craddick recommends a creamy sorrel blue cheese sauce, “where the herb beautifully complements the bleu cheese without overpowering its flavor.” Sorrels are a tangy, acidic herb.
3. Sour cream and chives
Slightly acidic and instantly cooling, a dollop of sour cream pairs well with crunchy egg rolls.
4. Queso dip
Why not add more cheese? Warm, gooey queso on your egg rolls is pure indulgence!
For more spicy buffalo recipes, click through these stories:
6 New Ways to Enjoy the Flavor of Buffalo Wings — Salads, Sammies, Pizzas and More
You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe: It’s Spicy + Tangy With a Healthy Twist
This Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Appetizer Might Steal the Show at Your Next Dinner