Lumpia is a delightful Filipino egg roll filled with an array of savory ingredients, and cooking it in an air fryer can make this delicious treat even more accessible and healthier. An air fryer allows you to achieve that perfect crispy texture without the excess oil, making it a great modern twist on a classic dish. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to make lumpia in an air fryer, highlighting its benefits, required ingredients, and tips for perfection.
What is Lumpia?
Lumpia is a type of egg roll stuffed with a mixture of meats, vegetables, and seasonings. Originating from the Philippines, lumpia can include a variety of fillings such as pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, and an assortment of vegetables. The wrappers are typically made from wheat or rice flour, giving them a light and crispy texture when fried. Lumpia can be served as appetizers, snacks, or even main courses, making them a versatile addition to any meal.
Benefits of Air Frying Lumpia
1.Healthier Option:
One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer is the reduced need for oil. Traditional deep frying involves submerging the lumpia in oil, which can significantly increase the calorie and fat content. Air frying, on the other hand, uses hot air circulation to cook the food, requiring just a light spray of oil. This method helps you enjoy crispy lumpia without the guilt.
2.Convenience:
Air fryers are incredibly user-friendly, making the cooking process quick and straightforward. You can achieve perfect lumpia in a fraction of the time it takes to deep fry, without the hassle of dealing with hot oil.
3.Even Cooking:
The air fryer ensures that your lumpia are cooked evenly. The hot air circulates around the food, providing consistent heat distribution. This results in lumpia that are crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside.
4.Less Mess:
Air frying minimizes the mess associated with deep frying. There’s no need to worry about oil splatters or disposing of used oil. Cleanup is also much easier since most air fryer components are dishwasher safe.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
Before you start, gather the necessary ingredients and equipment for making lumpia in the air fryer:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground pork or ground chicken
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped green beans
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lumpia wrappers or spring roll wrappers
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon water
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Brush for applying egg wash
- Cooking spray
How to Make Lumpia in the Air Fryer
Follow these steps to create delicious air fryer lumpia:
1. Prepare the Filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork or chicken, shredded carrots, chopped green beans, onions, celery, and minced garlic. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
2. Wrap the Lumpia:
Lay out the lumpia wrappers on a flat surface. Place a spoonful of the filling mixture near one corner of each wrapper. Fold the corner over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Brush the edge with beaten egg to seal. Repeat until all the filling is used.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. This helps ensure even cooking.
4. Cook the Lumpia:
Place the lumpia in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Lightly spray the lumpia with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the lumpia are golden brown and crispy.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Lumpia
1.Crispy Wrappers:
Lumpia wrappers are delicate, so make sure to evenly coat them with cooking spray to prevent sticking to the air fryer basket. This also helps in achieving that desired crispy texture.
2.Avoid Overfilling:
When wrapping the lumpia, avoid overfilling as this can cause the wrappers to tear or the filling to spill out during cooking. A spoonful of filling is usually sufficient.
3.Uniform Size:
Try to make all the lumpia the same size to ensure even cooking. This helps all pieces cook at the same rate and come out perfectly crisp.
