Pickle egg rolls are a conversation-starting appetizer that’ll disappear from your party platter in minutes. Crispy egg roll wrappers are stuffed with tangy pickles, creamy cheese, and savory ham for a mash-up appetizer you never knew you needed!
Made quickly in your air fryer, they deliver all the satisfaction of deep-fried treats without any mess or hassle. You will love the contrast between textures and flavors. The air fryer creates a perfect, shatteringly crisp exterior while the filling stays gooey and warm.
If you’re worried that these sound a bit odd, I get it; it’s a quirky combination! But the briny punch of pickles cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, and the ham adds just enough flavor to make these seriously addictive. Plus, the air fryer gives you that perfect golden crunch without a drop of oil splatter on your countertops.
You can prep these ahead of time and air fry them right before serving, making them perfect for everything from game day spreads to holiday appetizers. These are a great choice when you want to surprise your friends and family with something fun and different.
In this recipe, I’ll show you exactly how to wrap, roll, and air fry these addictive little bundles. It is the mash-up appetizer that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
Looking for more easy air fryer appetizers? Try air fryer edamame, air fryer baba ganoush, or Korean wings.
Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Egg roll wrappers: You’ll find these in the produce section of most grocery stores.
- Pickle spears: I love using kosher dill pickles for their crisp texture and bold flavor.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s properly softened to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Sliced deli ham
- Vegetable oil
How to Make Air Fryer Pickle Egg Rolls
- Pat the pickle spears dry with paper towels. Extra moisture is the enemy of crispy egg rolls.
- Lay out a ham slice and spread some cream cheese on the slice. Put a pickle in the middle and wrap the ham around it.
- Place your ham-wrapped pickle on an egg roll wrapper. Fold the top corner up over the pickle, then fold in both sides. Roll it up toward the remaining corner, sealing the edge with a bit of water.
- Once you have 9 or 10 egg rolls rolled up, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange your wrapped egg rolls in your air fryer basket or tray. Don’t overcrowd them. Brush all sides with vegetable oil. Air fry for 10 minutes total, flipping them halfway through.
Serving Ideas
You know what makes these pickle egg rolls even more amazing? The perfect dipping sauce! My family loves to dip these crispy rolls in ranch dressing.
These make a fun appetizer for game day parties or casual get-togethers. I served them at our last Super Bowl party, and they disappeared faster than I could make them! Here are some other serving ideas:
- Set them out with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, and Thousand Island dressing.
- Cut them in half diagonally to make bite-sized pieces perfect for parties.
- Serve them alongside other air fryer appetizers like mozzarella sticks or chicken wings.
How to Store
These pickle egg rolls are best fresh out of the air fryer when they’re super crispy. But if you end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp them up again. The microwave works, too, but they won’t get crispy.
You can assemble these ahead of time and store them uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just keep them covered with a damp paper towel to prevent the wrappers from drying out. When you’re ready to cook, brush with oil and air fry according to the directions.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Take an extra minute to dry your pickle spears.
- Let your cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- I prefer to brush the egg rolls with oil instead of spraying them with oil. I get better coverage, which makes the egg rolls crispy. A light, even coating is all you need.
- I usually use kosher dill spears, but any pickle spears will work.
- If your egg rolls aren’t as crispy as you’d like, try air frying them for an extra minute or two. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Also, make sure you’re not overcrowding your air fryer basket.
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Pickle Egg Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 egg roll wrappers
- 10 pickle spears
- 10 slices ham
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Dry the pickle spears with a paper towel. Lay out a slice of ham and spread a small amount of cream cheese on the ham.10 slices ham, 4 ounces cream cheese
- Put a pickle on the cream cheese and wrap the ham around it.10 pickle spears
- Place the stuffed pickles in the center of each egg roll wrapper and wrap the edges around the pickle. Use a small amount of water to seal the end.10 egg roll wrappers
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place the egg rolls in the basket or tray of your air fryer and brush all sides of each egg roll with vegetable oil.2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Air-fry the egg rolls for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
Notes
- Let your cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- I prefer to brush the egg rolls with oil instead of spraying them with oil. I get better coverage, which makes the egg rolls crispy. A light, even coating is all you need.
- I usually use kosher dill spears, but any pickle spears will work.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
