Egg rolls are Chinese appetizers or snacks that are served in restaurants all over the world. Their crisp exterior, along with their juicy, delicious interior, makes for the perfect snack. The perfect egg roll is not made by creating a good filling; rather, it mainly depends on how you fry it.
If you are looking to achieve restaurant-quality egg rolls, then you have to pick the right oil for deep frying.
In this article, we are going to discuss the best oils for frying egg rolls. Let’s get into it!
Why does frying egg rolls require any different kind of oil?
Many factors make an oil eligible for deep frying. It applies not only to egg rolls but to other foods such as chicken and donuts, to name a few. If you use an oil that isn’t recommended for deep frying, then you can end up with soggy, burnt egg rolls with a weird taste.
The qualities you should look for while picking an oil for deep frying include a high smoke point, also known as a burning point, and no odd flavor. Moreover, “high oleic” oils are also used for deep-frying egg rolls as they impart a good flavor and give you a perfectly fried egg roll.
What kind of oils are best for frying egg rolls?
The best oils for frying egg rolls should have a high smoke point. A high smoke point or burning point means that the oil won’t end up burning at high temperatures. If you opt for an oil that has a low smoke point, your oil might end up burning while you’re cooking the rolls, and this burnt flavor will be imparted in the egg rolls.
High oleic oils are oils that are high in monosaturated fatty acids. These oils too can bear high temperatures without getting burnt, which makes them perfect for deep frying.
How are egg rolls fried?
It is fairly easy to deep fry egg rolls. All you need is a skillet or wok, oil for deep frying, and your raw egg rolls. The steps mentioned below will help you achieve perfectly fried egg rolls!
Step 1: Heat the oil
Pour your cooking oil into a skillet or wok, and heat it until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place raw egg rolls in hot oil
Next, carefully place your egg rolls down in the hot oil one by one. Make sure you put the egg rolls into the skillet away from you, so the hot oil doesn’t splash and burn you.
Step 3: Let the egg rolls cook for 7 minutes
Let the egg rolls cook for around 7 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
Step 4: Take the rolls out and serve
Take the cooked egg rolls out of the skillet, let them cool a little, and serve!
List of best oils for frying egg rolls!
Enlisted below are the best oils for frying egg rolls, along with the reasons that make them so great for deep frying!
Peanut oil
Peanut oil is considered the best for frying egg rolls. It has all the qualities that we are looking for! It has a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it also gives an incredible nutty flavor to your egg rolls. Not only that, but it is also high in saturated fatty acids, which makes it suitable for frying at high temperatures.
Apart from all the amazing frying qualities, peanut oil is also a healthier option. Being a good source of vitamin E, peanut oil can be great for diabetic people because it helps reduce blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. Being full of antioxidants, it can also help reduce heart problems.
Olive oil
Another great oil for deep frying is olive oil. Similar to peanut oil, olive oil also has a high smoking point between 374 to 405 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that it can withstand high temperatures. Olive oil also leaves a slight flavor on the egg rolls, but it is very minimal, and you might prefer this taste over the peanut oil because it is not as strong.
Olive oil is the healthiest oil for deep frying. Rich in antioxidants, it can help heal cellular damage and minimize the risk of heart diseases.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is also suitable for deep frying. It has a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just perfect. Similar to the others, this oil helps reduce the risk of heart diseases and protects your brain cells.
Canola oil
Canola oil is excellent for deep frying egg rolls and is the perfect substitute for peanut oil! Thanks to its high smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it can bear high temperatures. It has a light texture and quickly covers the egg rolls while you fry them.
Canola oil helps reduce cholesterol levels as it is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and is low in saturated fats. However, since canola oil is processed and refined, it can include harmful trans fats.
What oils should you avoid when frying egg rolls?
Not all vegetable oils are suitable for deep frying because some of them can have a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This makes the oil less resistant to heat, and it will burn when you use it to fry at high temperatures (mainly 350 degrees Fahrenheit).
Mentioned below are some of the oils that are low oleic and will eventually burn at high temperatures:
- Corn oil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Lard
- Vegetable shortening
- Sesame oil
- Rice bran oil
Related FAQs to oils and egg rolls!
How hot should oil be to fry egg rolls?
The ideal temperature for deep frying egg rolls is 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do you cook egg rolls in a deep fryer?
Deep fry your egg rolls for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are crisp and golden brown.
How do you keep egg rolls crispy?
If you want to keep your egg rolls crispy, you can do so by using a cooling rack and a baking sheet. Place the cooling rack onto the baking tray, and put the egg rolls on top of it. Now, put the baking tray in a pre-warmed oven at low temperature. The cooling rack will allow the air to circulate and will keep the egg rolls warm and crispy.
Why are my egg rolls greasy?
Your egg rolls can turn out to be greasy if your oil is too cold. The oil slowly cooks the egg rolls, seeping into them and making them greasy.
If the oil is too hot, the skins of the egg rolls can burn or cook before the inside is cooked properly.
Can you deep fry frozen egg rolls?
Yes! You deep fry frozen egg rolls directly. However, make sure to keep the heat medium-low first to cook properly and do not burn. You can then turn the heat high for a few minutes until the egg rolls get a beautiful golden brown color with a crispy exterior.
Why do egg rolls get soggy?
If your egg rolls filling is warm, it will turn your egg roll wrappers soggy and make them tear easily. Make sure to chill the filling in the fridge for a while before using it.
What’s the difference between an egg roll and a spring roll?
Egg rolls are wrapped in thick and crispy wrappers and are dipped in eggs for increased richness. On the other hand, spring rolls are wrapped in thin flour wrappers or rice wrappers.
Concluding my thoughts on the best oils for frying egg rolls!
A good oil makes for a good egg roll. Using an oil that is unsuitable for deep-frying can make all your hard work go down the drain. We have listed a bunch of oils that are great for frying egg rolls. Choose the right one so that you can get restaurant-quality egg rolls at home.
Happy frying!