Have you ever stood in front of your freezer, holding a box of frozen spring rolls, and wondered how to achieve that perfect, shatteringly crisp texture without the hassle and mess of deep-frying? You’re not alone. The dream is a golden-brown, crunchy appetizer, but the fear is a soggy, disappointing snack.

Forget the guesswork and the excess oil! This guide will show you the two best methods for how to cook frozen spring rolls to absolute perfection. Whether you’re a fan of the quick and powerful air fryer or prefer the capacity of your trusty oven, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to transform that frozen appetizer into a crave-worthy, restaurant-quality treat in just minutes.

Ingredients

The beauty of this guide is its simplicity. You only need one key ingredient, but we’ve included a couple of optional items to guarantee the best results and a delicious experience.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Frozen Spring Rolls	As many as you desire (e.g., 5 per serving)
Cooking Spray or Oil (optional)	A light spritz
Your Favorite Dipping Sauces	For serving

Timing

No matter which method you choose, you’re just minutes away from a hot, crispy snack. This is the ultimate fast food you can make at home.

Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 9-15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 11-17 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

We’ll break down the two best methods for cooking frozen spring rolls. The air fryer is our top choice for the ultimate crunch, but the oven is fantastic for making larger batches for a crowd.

Air Fryer Method (Fastest & Crispiest)

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.

Actionable Tip: Preheating is key! A hot air fryer basket will immediately start crisping the outside of the spring rolls, preventing them from becoming steamy and soft.

Step 2: Arrange the Spring Rolls

Once preheated, place the frozen spring rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching or overlapping.

Actionable Tip: Giving each spring roll its own space is crucial for maximum crispiness. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each one, ensuring they cook and brown evenly on all sides. Cook in batches if necessary.

Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Air fry for 9-10 minutes, flipping the spring rolls halfway through the cooking time. They are done when they are deep golden brown and crispy.

Actionable Tip: For an extra layer of crunch and a beautiful golden sheen, lightly spritz the frozen spring rolls with your favorite cooking spray or brush with a little oil before placing them in the basket.

Oven-Baked Method (Great for a Crowd)

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 425°F (220°C).

Actionable Tip: For an even crispier bottom, place your baking sheet in the oven while it preheats. Placing the frozen rolls onto a hot pan will give them a head start on crisping.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the frozen spring rolls in a single layer on the sheet, ensuring they have plenty of space and are not touching.

Actionable Tip: To promote air circulation and get an even crispier result, place the spring rolls on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet. This elevates them, allowing hot air to cook the bottoms as well as the tops.

Step 3: Bake Until Crispy

Bake for 12-15 minutes. For the best results, use tongs to flip the spring rolls halfway through the baking time. They should be golden brown, crisp, and sizzling when done.

Actionable Tip: Don’t skip the flip! This is the most important step for oven-baking. It ensures both sides of the spring roll wrapper get direct heat, resulting in a uniform, satisfying crunch.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional content will vary widely depending on the brand and filling of your spring rolls. The following is an example based on one serving (5 rolls) of Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls.

Calories: 360 kcal
Protein: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fat: 16 g
Sodium: 780 mg

Healthier Alternatives

While frozen spring rolls are a convenience food, you can make healthier choices.

Read the Label: Look for brands that are baked instead of pre-fried, and choose vegetable-filled spring rolls over meat-based ones to reduce fat and calories.
Go Oil-Free: When air frying, you can skip the optional oil spray to save a few calories. The results will still be crispy!
DIY Dipping Sauces: Store-bought sauces can be high in sugar and sodium. Make your own quick and healthy dips, like a low-sodium soy-ginger sauce or a Greek yogurt-based sriracha dip.

Serving Suggestions

The dipping sauce is half the fun! Here are some fantastic ideas to serve with your perfectly cooked spring rolls:

Sweet Chili Sauce: The classic, can’t-go-wrong pairing.
Soy-Ginger Dip: Mix soy sauce, a splash of rice vinegar, minced ginger, and a dash of sesame oil.
Creamy Peanut Sauce: Thin some peanut butter with warm water and soy sauce, and add a little honey and lime juice.
Appetizer Platter: Make it a party by serving the spring rolls alongside other easy appetizers like potstickers, edamame, and cucumber salad.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For guaranteed crispy results, be sure to avoid these common errors.

Thawing Them First: There is absolutely no need to thaw frozen spring rolls. Solution: Cook them directly from frozen. Thawing will add moisture and lead to a soggy result.
Overcrowding: Piling spring rolls on top of each other in the air fryer or oven will cause them to steam, not crisp. Solution: Always cook in a single layer with space between each roll. Cook in batches if you have to.
Using Parchment Paper in a Preheating Air Fryer: A loose piece of parchment paper can fly up and hit the heating element, creating a fire hazard. Solution: If using a liner, only place it in the air fryer once it’s weighted down with food. Foil is generally a safer option.

Storing Tips

If you happen to have leftovers, here’s how to handle them.

Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked spring rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating for Maximum Crispiness: The best way to bring back the crunch is to reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. You can also use a toaster oven or a conventional oven. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft.

Conclusion

Now you know how to cook frozen spring rolls like a pro! With an air fryer or an oven, you can achieve a perfectly crispy, golden, and delicious appetizer that rivals any restaurant. This simple guide proves you don’t need a deep fryer to enjoy this classic treat at its best. It’s the perfect solution for a quick snack, easy party food, or a fun addition to any meal.

What’s your go-to method? Do you prefer the speed of the air fryer or the capacity of the oven? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share your favorite dipping sauce! For more easy and delicious recipes, be sure to subscribe.

FAQs

Q1. Do I need to spray my frozen spring rolls with oil?

It is not required, but it is highly recommended. A light spritz of cooking oil helps the spring roll wrappers to brown more evenly and develop an extra-crispy, bubbly texture, similar to deep-frying but with a fraction of the oil.

Q2. Which cooking method is better: air fryer or oven?

It depends on your needs! The air fryer is faster and generally produces a crispier result, making it ideal for smaller batches. The oven is the better choice when you need to cook a larger quantity of spring rolls at once for a family or a party.

Q3. Can I use these instructions for any brand of frozen spring rolls?

Yes, these temperatures and times are a great starting point for most standard-sized frozen spring rolls (like vegetable, chicken, or shrimp). If your spring rolls are particularly large or small, you may need to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two.

Q4. What are some easy ideas for dipping sauces?

Besides store-bought sweet chili sauce, you can make a quick dip by mixing soy sauce with a bit of honey and rice vinegar. For a creamy option, mix mayonnaise or Greek yogurt with sriracha and a squeeze of lime juice.