Air Fryer Crispy Duck Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce
Air Fryer Crispy Duck Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce
Craving the satisfying crunch of a spring roll filled with rich, savoury duck? Look no further! These Air Fryer Crispy Duck Spring Rolls deliver all the deliciousness without the deep-frying. The air fryer creates a beautifully golden and crispy wrapper, while the tender shredded duck filling offers a burst of flavour. Paired with a sweet and tangy plum sauce, these spring rolls are an irresistible appetiser or light meal that comes together surprisingly easily.
Yields: Approximately 8-10 spring rolls
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Duck Filling:
- 1 cup cooked duck meat (leftover roasted duck or confit), shredded
- 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- Pinch of ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Spring Rolls:
- 8-10 spring roll wrappers (rice paper or wheat-based)
- 1 tablespoon water or egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) for sealing
For the Plum Sauce (Optional, store-bought works well too):
- 1/2 cup plum jam or preserves
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha or other chilli sauce (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Duck Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked duck, cabbage, carrots, and green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the duck and vegetable mixture. Toss well to combine.
2. Assemble the Spring Rolls:
- Lay a spring roll wrapper on a clean, flat surface (keep the others covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out).
- Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the duck filling in the centre of the wrapper, closer to the edge nearest to you.
- Fold the edge of the wrapper closest to you tightly over the filling.
- Fold in the sides of the wrapper towards the centre, like an envelope.
- Brush the remaining edge of the wrapper with water or egg wash.
- Roll the spring roll up tightly to seal.
- Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
3. Air Fry the Spring Rolls:
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Arrange the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. You may need to cook in batches.
- Lightly spray the tops of the spring rolls with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
4. Make the Plum Sauce (if making from scratch):
- In a small saucepan, combine the plum jam, rice vinegar, soy sauce, grated ginger, and sriracha (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
5. Serve:
- Serve the crispy duck spring rolls immediately with the plum sauce for dipping.
Tips:
- Duck Preparation: Using leftover cooked duck is a great way to utilise it. If you don't have leftover duck, you can roast a duck breast or leg specifically for this recipe.
- Wrapper Handling: Rice paper wrappers need to be briefly dipped in warm water to soften before filling. Be careful not to over-soak them, or they will become too sticky and tear easily. Wheat-based wrappers are typically used directly from the package.
- Don't Overfill: Overfilling the spring rolls will make them difficult to roll and they may burst during cooking.
- Single Layer Cooking: For the crispiest results, ensure the spring rolls are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Adjust Cooking Time: Air fryer cooking times can vary. Keep an eye on the spring rolls and adjust the time as needed to achieve desired crispiness.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the spring rolls ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to a few hours before air frying.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the assembled spring rolls. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.