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These dessert egg rolls pack creamy cheesecake and juicy strawberries inside a crispy shell. Your air fryer turns simple egg roll wrappers into an amazing sweet treat with a crunchy outside and smooth, fruity inside.
I whipped these up for my family once and they couldn't believe something so tasty started with plain egg roll wrappers. Now they beg me to make them at every warm-weather gathering we have.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temp for that smooth, rich cheesecake base
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness without going overboard
- Lemon juice: Brings a hint of zing that works with the strawberries
- Fresh strawberries: Go for bright red, plump ones for best color and taste
- Egg roll wrappers: Should feel soft and bendable, not stiff or dried out
- Water: Needed to stick the edges together and prevent filling leaks
- Confectioners sugar: For that pretty dusting on top and extra sweetness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare The Filling:
- Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice with your hand mixer for about 2 minutes until it's totally smooth. Then fold your diced strawberries in gently with a spatula until they're mixed through the cream cheese.
- Fill The Wrappers:
- Lay out your egg roll wrapper like a diamond with one point facing you. Put 2-3 tablespoons of your strawberry cream cheese mix in the middle. Don't add too much or they might burst when cooking.
- Begin The Rolling Process:
- Wet all four edges with your finger dipped in water. Take the corner pointing at you and fold it over the filling, pulling it tight against the mixture. Give it one roll to cover everything.
- Create The Envelope Fold:
- Take the right corner and fold it toward the middle, pressing lightly. Do the same with the left side. It'll look like an open envelope. Add more water to any dry spots so everything sticks together.
- Complete The Roll:
- Keep rolling away from you until you reach the last corner. Press all the edges firmly but carefully for a good seal. Your egg roll should be nice and compact with no filling showing.
- Prepare For Air Frying:
- Lightly coat each egg roll with cooking oil by spraying or brushing. This helps them turn nice and golden.
- Air Fry To Perfection:
- Heat your air fryer to 400°F. Put the egg rolls in without letting them touch each other. Cook them for 4-5 minutes, turning them over halfway, until they're golden brown all around.
- Finishing Touch:
- Let them cool for 3-5 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar right before you serve them. This cooling time helps the filling set up a bit while still keeping them warm.
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The best thing about making these treats is watching them transform in the air fryer. They go from soft and pale to golden and crispy in just minutes, creating that wonderful contrast with the sweet, velvety filling.
Make Ahead And Storage
You can prep these rolls up to the rolling step and keep them in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking. Just space them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you're ready, just air fry them as usual.
After cooking, you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To get them crispy again, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until they're hot and crunchy.
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Delicious Variations
Try swapping half the strawberries for blueberries or raspberries. The colors look stunning together, and each berry brings its own special taste to the mix.
For a chocolate-strawberry twist, throw in 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. They'll get a bit melty during cooking, creating little pockets of chocolate throughout.
Make the cheesecake flavor pop by adding 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to your cream cheese mixture. This small change adds so much more depth to the overall taste.
Serving Suggestions
Offer a small dish of chocolate or strawberry sauce for dipping. This extra touch makes these treats even more mouthwatering.
For a fancy look, arrange them on a plate with sliced fresh strawberries and mint leaves. The bright red and green really stand out against the golden rolls.
They're perfect for brunch when paired with coffee or mimosas. There's something magical about biting into a crispy roll while sipping a hot or bubbly drink.
Common Questions
- → Can I bake these egg rolls instead of air frying?
You can definitely pop them in the oven at 400°F for roughly 10-12 minutes, making sure to flip them once so they brown evenly.
- → Can I use frozen strawberries?
While fresh berries give the best results, thawed frozen strawberries will work too. Just make sure you drain off the extra juice first.
- → How do I prevent the egg rolls from bursting?
Don't stuff them too full and make sure you wet the edges and press them together firmly before cooking.
- → Can I make these egg rolls ahead of time?
You can put them together and keep them in the fridge uncooked for up to 24 hours, then air fry them when you're ready to eat.
- → What can I substitute for egg roll wrappers?
You can try using spring roll wrappers or sheets of phyllo dough, though they'll come out a bit different.