Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls are full of delicious southwest flavors – corn and beans are flavored with chipotle, lime and cilantro.
(Originally published 6/10/2020 and updated for content 3/2/2025)
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas next!
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I’ve eaten versions of southwest egg rolls at several restaurants in the past. They’re kind of like mini chimichangas. The crispy egg roll wraps mimic fried tortillas. And the filling combination is hard to beat. Spicy and cheesy with a hint of lime. I decided to recreate my restaurant experiences into a copycat recipe using my air fryer. Everyone that has tried my Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls loves them. These are perfect for a game day appetizer. And they get bonus points for being air fried rather than deep fried.
More air fryer egg roll recipes
Ingredients for southwest egg roll recipe
- Egg Roll Wraps – These are the brand of wrappers I can find easily at my local grocery store.
- Rotisserie Chicken – This really is a recipe for southwest chicken egg rolls. But you could sub chicken for cooked ground beef or cooked ground turkey.
- Black Beans – One of the “three sisters” of southwest cooking which are corn, squash and beans.
- Corn – I like canned corn best for this recipe.
- Red Bell Pepper – Fresh red pepper provides color and crunch to the filling.
- Cilantro – As always, if you don’t like cilantro, leave it out or replace with parsley.
- Mayonnaise – Adds some creaminess to the filling and helps to hold it together.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – Use both the sauce and the peppers in the filling.
- Lime Juice – The bright and acidic flavor of lime helps to balance the heat from the chipotle peppers.
- Colby Jack Cheese – I like the flavor of this cheese best. You could sub it for cheddar cheese or any other Mexican cheese.
- Dipping Sauce – My egg rolls are pictured with this jarred guacamole salsa. You could also mix together equal parts sour cream and salsa for dipping.
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the filling ingredients – cooked chicken, beans, corn, red pepper, cilantro, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, lime juice, salt and shredded cheese. Fill the egg rolls and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. They cook seam side down at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden brown. For complete list of ingredients and more detailed instructions, keep scrolling to find my free printable recipe card.
How to assemble homemade egg rolls
On a flat surface, place one egg roll wrapper with a corner facing you. Place about 1/4 cup of filling on the bottom half. Fold the bottom corner over top of the filling, about to the middle of the wrapper. Fold in the two outside corners. Then roll up and away from you like a burrito. See photos. Dip your fingers in some water to help seal the edges of the wrapper as you go.
Serving Suggestions
I think these crispy egg rolls can be served as a main dish for dinner. Here’s some more recipes to serve with them to make them into a complete meal –
Storage Directions
Store any leftover cooked egg rolls in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Egg rolls can be frozen after rolling but before cooking. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (to prevent sticking) in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Then transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to one month. You can then air fry them at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.
Kitchen Tips
- This is the air fryer I use for testing all of my recipes
- I use this cookie scoop to evenly distribute my filling into the egg roll wrappers
- These are the egg roll wrappers I used in this recipe
- Use a pastry brush for brushing the egg rolls with vegetable oil
Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 9 egg roll wrappers
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken chopped
- 1/2 cup canned corn drained
- 1/2 cup black beans drained
- 1/4 cup red pepper finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 3/4 cup Colby Jack cheese shredded
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce and salt.
- Add the chicken, corn, black beans, red peppers, cilantro and shredded cheese. Mix well until combined.
- Add about 1/4 cup of the filling to each egg roll wrapper. Use the photos as your guide to wrap the egg rolls, sealing the outside edge with water.
- Place the egg rolls in a single layer (seam side down) in your air fryer basket. I had to fry mine in two batches.
- Brush the egg rolls very lightly with vegetable oil. Cook at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Open the air fryer. Use tongs to flip over the egg rolls. Brush the other side with vegetable oil. Cook at 350 F for an additional 5 minutes, or until the outsides are golden brown.
- Serve the egg rolls with jarred guacamole salsa to dip.
Nutrition
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Angela says
This recipe looks wonderful. I have only just started using an air fryer and can’t wait to try these in it.
foodtasticmom says
You will love them!
Pavani says
I love crispy egg rolls and your air fryer version looks absolutely perfect. No deep frying and guilt-free treat. Love the southwestern filling as well – yummy!!
foodtasticmom says
Exactly. Thanks for stopping by!
Pam Greer says
These are amazing!! One of my favorite air fryer recipes. I tried serving these as an appetizer, but we loved them so much, we had them for dinner!
foodtasticmom says
So great to hear. Thanks Pam!
Pam says
I’ve only had my air fryer a little while and I am amazed at all the recipes that can be made in it. Thanks for sharing this.
foodtasticmom says
It is an amazing little gadget – so glad I took the plunge to purchase one. Thanks Pam.
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says
These turned out really great. They were well loved by the whole family. We will definitely be making these again!
foodtasticmom says
Love hearing this. Thank you for the positive review and rating!