July 7, 2023

Pork & Prawn Spring Rolls

These are nothing like the ones you buy in the frozen food section or in the food halls. They are full of tasty goodness, texture and are totally moreish so make plenty.

They freeze perfectly and can be reheated from frozen in either an air fryer, oven or deep fat fryer. These are a freezer staple at my place and are loved by all!!

Filling Options

There are many filling options you can choose from when making Chinese spring rolls. Here are some popular ones:

Vegetables: Thinly sliced or julienned vegetables provide crunch and freshness to the spring rolls. Common choices include carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, bean sprouts, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and snow peas.
Protein: Add cooked protein to your spring rolls for extra flavour and substance. Popular options include shrimp, chicken, pork, beef, tofu, or a combination of these. Make sure to slice or shred the protein into small, bite-sized pieces.
Vermicelli noodles: Cooked vermicelli noodles add texture and substance to the filling. Simply cook them according to the package instructions, and drain before adding them to the spring rolls.
Fresh herbs: Fresh herbs provide a burst of flavour and brightness. Coriander is a favourite of mine.
Sauces and seasonings: You can include various sauces and seasonings to elevate the flavour profile. Popular options include soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chili sauce. Adjust the amounts according to your taste preferences.
Additional fillings: Feel free to experiment and add other fillings based on your preferences.

Remember to balance the flavours and textures when selecting your fillings and use a little cornflour to soak up any moisture, a wet spring roll is not a pleasant thing!

Shaping

Consider the shape of your spring rolls when rolling. If they are to be served as an appetizer, I roll long and skinny so the can be dipped easier!

Cooking Options

Deep-Frying Method:

Heat oil: Fill a deep pot or wok with enough vegetable oil to fully submerge the spring rolls. Heat the oil to around 175° or until a small piece of spring roll wrapper sizzles and floats immediately when added.
Fry the spring rolls: Carefully lower a few spring rolls into the hot oil using a slotted spoon or tongs. Avoid overcrowding the pot, as it can lower the oil temperature and make the rolls greasy. Fry them in batches if necessary.
Fry until golden brown: Cook the spring rolls until they turn golden brown, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Flip them occasionally for even browning. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Drain excess oil: Once cooked, remove the spring rolls from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
Serve: Allow the spring rolls to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Baking Method:

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C.
Prepare the spring rolls: Brush the spring rolls lightly with oil or spray them with cooking spray. This will help them achieve a crispy texture in the oven.
Arrange on a baking sheet: Place the spring rolls on a baking sheet, leaving space between each roll. You can line the baking sheet with baking paper or a Thermomix® Oven Mat to prevent sticking.
Bake in the oven: Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the spring rolls turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the baking time for even browning.
Serve: Remove the baked spring rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

Air Fryer Method:

Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C for a few minutes.
Prepare the spring rolls: Brush or spray the spring rolls with a little oil all over. This will help them achieve a crispy texture in the air fryer.
Arrange in the air fryer basket: Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each roll for even cooking. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook the spring rolls: Insert the basket into the air fryer and cook the spring rolls for about 8-10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, pause and carefully flip the spring rolls to ensure even browning.
Monitor and adjust cooking time: Keep a close eye on the spring rolls as they cook, as cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer. Adjust the cooking time if needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
Serve: Once the spring rolls are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Air frying provides a healthier alternative to deep-frying while still achieving crispy results. It’s a great option for those who prefer a lighter version of spring rolls.

Serving your Spring Rolls

Chinese spring rolls are typically served as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. Here’s how you can serve them:

Dipping sauce: Prepare a dipping sauce to accompany the spring rolls. Popular choices include sweet chili sauce, plum sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut sauce, or a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Place the dipping sauce in small bowls or ramekins.
Plating: Arrange the cooked spring rolls on a platter or individual serving plates. If desired, you can cut them in half diagonally to expose the filling for a visually appealing presentation.
Garnish: Add a touch of garnish to enhance the presentation and flavours. Sprinkle some fresh chopped herbs, such as coriander or mint, over the spring rolls. You can also garnish with toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions or red chilli.
Side dishes: Consider serving the spring rolls with complementary side dishes. Fresh lettuce leaves, cucumber slices, or pickled vegetables can be served alongside the spring rolls to provide a contrast in textures and flavours. I love to pop a spring roll in a lettuce leaf, drizzle on some dipping sauce and top with coriander and chilli …. so good!
Serving suggestions: Chinese spring rolls can be enjoyed as a standalone appetizer or as part of a larger meal. They pair well with other Chinese dishes like fried rice, stir-fried noodles, or Chinese-style soups. Alternatively, you can include them in a dim sum spread or as part of a buffet.
Inform guests: If you are serving spring rolls at a gathering or event, make sure to inform your guests about the dipping sauce options and any potential allergens present in the filling, such as shellfish or peanuts.

Remember, Chinese spring rolls are best enjoyed immediately after cooking when they are still crispy.

Storage

To store Chinese spring rolls, follow these steps:

Cool completely: Allow the cooked spring rolls to cool completely at room temperature before storing them. This helps prevent condensation and sogginess.
Line a container: Line an airtight container with a layer of paper towels or parchment paper. This helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the spring rolls crisp.
Layer the spring rolls: Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the container, making sure they are not touching each other. If you need to stack them, place a layer of paper towels or parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
Seal the container: Close the airtight container tightly to keep the spring rolls fresh and prevent air exposure.
Refrigerate: Store the container of spring rolls in the fridge. They can typically be stored for up to 2-3 days without losing too much quality.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy the spring rolls, you have a couple of options for reheating. The preferred method is to reheat them in an oven or air fryer to help regain their crispiness. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 175°C and bake or air fry the spring rolls for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can microwave them for a shorter time, around 30 seconds to 1 minute, but this may result in slightly softer spring rolls.
Serve: Once reheated, serve the spring rolls immediately. They’re best enjoyed fresh and hot.

Note: If you have uncooked spring rolls, it’s recommended to freeze them instead of refrigerating for longer storage. Place the uncooked spring rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze them until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Frozen spring rolls can be cooked directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Pork & Prawn Spring Rolls

These spring rolls are full of juicy flavour and different textures. Crisp and totally delish. Make a double batch and store some in the freezer, a total winner!

5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Total Time 55

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 20 Spring Rolls

Equipment

TM5 or TM6

Ingredients

Spring Rolls

1 pack of spring roll wrappers 20 sheets
20 grams dried shitake mushrooms
60 grams dried vermicelli noodles
1 carrot peeled
4 spring onions
1/4 cup coriander leaves and stems Stems well washed
6 cloves garlic peeled
2 long red chillies deseeded if desired
2 cm piece fresh ginger peeled if old
20 grams vegetable oil plus extra if deep frying
250 grams pork mince
80 grams cooked prawns peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 ½ tsp castor sugar
3 tbsp fish sauce
2 generous pinches white pepper
1 pinch salt
handful of bean sprouts
2 tsp cornflour

Dipping Sauce

50 grams white castor sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp tomato sauce heaped
100 grams pineapple juice
2 tsp cornflour
1 long red chilli thinly sliced deseeded if desired

Instructions

Spring Rolls

Soak mushrooms in boiling water for 15 mins. Squeeze out excess water and finely chop. Place in a large mixing bowl (not the Thermomix Bowl) and set aside.
Soak Vermicelli noodles in cold water for 15 mins (or as per packet instructions). Then pop them into a colander and set aside to drain.
Cut carrot into 4 pieces and add to Thermomix Bowl. Chop 4 seconds/speed 4. Check that they are nicely chopped and add to the mixing bowl with the mushrooms
Cut spring onions into 4 pieces and add to Thermomix Bowl with the coriander. Chop 4 seconds/speed 5. Scrape down and if needed repeat so they are nicely chopped. Transfer to the bowl with the mushrooms.
Add garlic, chilli, ginger and oil to Thermomix Bowl. Chop 3 secs/speed 5. Scrape down. Cook 4 mins/ 120℃/speed 1/ simmering basket sitting on lid with no measuring cup. Add pork, (see next step)
PORK:
TM5: cook 6 mins/120℃/reverse/speed 1/simmering basket sitting on lid with no measuring cup.
TM6: Search for Pad Kra Pow recipe on cookidoo. Select step 3 to cook the pork at high temp. Scrape up all that caramelization and flavour once that step is finished. You will not be doing any other steps in this recipe so exit.
Tip pork onto a baking tray and spread out. Set aside to cool.
Squeeze any remaining moisture out of noodles and cut to around 5cm long and add to the mushroom bowl. Also add the chopped cooked prawns, bean sprouts, fish sauce and 1 tsp cornflour. Mix well.
Add cooled pork to mushroom bowl and mix well.
Taste the mix and adjust seasoning to your desired taste.

Forming Spring Rolls

Place spring roll wrapper on a flat surface so one of the corners is facing towards you (it should look like a diamond shape). Use about 2 tbsp filling and place the filling 5 cm from the corner closest to you.
Roll the corner over the filling and gently press towards you to tighten; then do one more roll.
Next fold both the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the middle.
Mix the additional tsp of cornflour and water to make a slurry and with your finger, gently brush it onto the opposite corner of the wrapper to act as a glue to hold the roll.
Continue rolling the spring roll into a tight cigar and place it sealed side down and place on a baking sheet or board lined with baking paper. Cover with a damp tea towel. If stacking, add a layer of baking paper.

Cooking

Deep fry spring rolls at in hot oil 175℃ for 3 – 5 mins, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper and serve
OR
Pre heat oven to 200℃. Place spring rolls on a baking tray. spray with oil and cook for 15 – 20 mins.
OR
Pre heat you air fryer to 190℃. Place spring rolls in a single layer onto your air fryer tray. Spray with oil. Cook for 10 mins, turning halfway through.

Dipping Sauce

Add all ingredients into Thermomix bowl and cook 6 mins/varoma/speed 2/ no measuring cup but simmering basket sitting on lid.
Transfer to a serving bowl and chill before serving.