You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted egg rolls made with homemade wrappers! I’ll never forget the first time I skipped the store-bought version and made my own – the difference was night and day. These thin, delicate sheets transform into the crispiest, most satisfying shells when fried, wrapping around fillings like a perfect little edible hug. What I love most is how versatile they are – use them for classic egg rolls, crispy wontons, or even dessert versions with sweet fillings. Once you try making egg roll wrappers from scratch, you’ll understand why my grandma always said “good things come to those who knead.”
Why You’ll Love These Egg Roll Wrappers
Trust me, once you try homemade egg roll wrappers, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind. Here’s why:
- Crisp perfection: They fry up so much crispier than anything from a package – that satisfying crunch is everything!
- Your thickness, your rules: Want them paper-thin for delicate rolls or slightly thicker for sturdier wraps? You’re in control.
- No mystery ingredients: Just simple, real ingredients – no preservatives or additives like the commercial ones.
- Budget-friendly: At pennies per wrapper, you’ll save money while getting superior quality.
Plus, the satisfaction of making them yourself? Priceless.
Ingredients for Egg Roll Wrappers
Here’s the beautiful simplicity of homemade egg roll wrappers – just five basic ingredients you probably already have:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted) – Sifting makes all the difference for that perfect silky texture
- 1 large egg (beaten) – This gives our wrappers their signature slight chew
- 1/4 cup water (room temperature) – Not too cold, not too warm – just right
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (neutral flavor) – I use canola, but any mild oil works
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Don’t skip this! It brings out all the flavors
See? Nothing fancy – just honest ingredients that transform into something magical.
How to Make Egg Roll Wrappers
Now for the fun part – turning those simple ingredients into perfect, paper-thin wrappers! Don’t let the process intimidate you. I’ve made every mistake possible (sticky dough disasters included) so you don’t have to. Follow these steps, and you’ll be wrapping like a pro in no time.
Mixing the Dough
Start by whisking together your sifted flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center – this is where the magic happens! Pour in your beaten egg, water, and oil all at once. Here’s my trick: use a fork to gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet, working from the center outward. Keep mixing until you’ve got a shaggy dough with no dry flour patches. If it looks too dry, add water 1 teaspoon at a time. Too sticky? A light dusting of flour will fix it.
Kneading and Resting
Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface – I use my clean countertop, but a large cutting board works too. Now roll up your sleeves and knead for a solid 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the dough transforms from rough to smooth and elastic. Pro tip: if your dough sticks to your hands, resist adding too much flour – just keep kneading, and it’ll come together. Once smooth, shape it into a ball, cover with a damp towel (or plastic wrap), and let it rest for 30 minutes. This relaxes the gluten, making rolling much easier later.
Rolling and Cutting
After resting, divide your dough into 10 equal pieces – I use a bench scraper for precision. Keep unused pieces covered while you work. Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin, then roll each piece into the thinnest circle you can manage. Seriously, aim for almost see-through! If the dough springs back, let it rest another minute. Once paper-thin, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to trim into perfect squares (about 6×6 inches). Dust with flour between layers if stacking, and don’t worry about imperfections – they add homemade charm!
Tips for Perfect Egg Roll Wrappers
After years of trial and error (and more than a few dough disasters), here are my foolproof tips for wrapper success:
- Keep it covered: That dough dries out faster than you’d think! Always keep a damp towel over unused portions while working.
- Roll with confidence: Don’t be shy – roll those wrappers paper-thin. They’ll puff slightly when fried, so ultra-thin is what you want.
- Flour is your friend: A light dusting on your surface and rolling pin prevents sticking without making wrappers tough.
- Storage smarts: If not using immediately, layer between parchment paper and store airtight. They’ll stay fresh for days!
Remember – imperfect homemade wrappers still beat store-bought any day. Enjoy the process!
Storing Egg Roll Wrappers
Here’s the good news – these wrappers store beautifully! Place parchment paper between each one, then tuck them into an airtight container. They’ll keep fresh in the fridge for 3 days, or freeze them for up to a month (just thaw at room temperature when ready to use). No more wasted dough – make a big batch and enjoy homemade wrappers whenever the craving hits!
Egg Roll Wrappers FAQ
I get asked these questions all the time about homemade egg roll dough – here are the answers straight from my kitchen mishaps and victories!
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Absolutely! I’ve done this many times when I want a healthier twist. Just know that whole wheat flour makes denser, slightly tougher wrappers. My trick? Use half whole wheat and half all-purpose for the best texture. The wrappers will still crisp up beautifully when fried, but they’ll have that nutty whole grain flavor I love.
Can I freeze the dough to use later?
Oh honey, I learned this the hard way – freezing the raw dough is a no-go! It completely changes the texture and makes it nearly impossible to roll thin. Instead, make the wrappers first, then freeze them (with parchment between each one). They’ll thaw perfectly when you’re ready to use them. Trust me, this small extra step saves so much frustration!
Why did my egg roll wrappers tear when I tried to roll them?
Been there, cried over that torn wrapper! Usually it’s one of two issues: either you rolled them too thin (yes, there is such a thing!) or your dough dried out. If they’re tearing, try rolling slightly thicker next time. And always, always keep that dough covered with a damp towel while working – dry dough is the enemy of perfect wrappers. A little extra kneading can also help develop the gluten for more flexible dough.
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I can tell you these homemade egg roll wrappers are about as clean as it gets – just simple, real ingredients without any of the mystery additives you’ll find in store-bought versions. The nutritional values will vary slightly depending on the exact flour and oil you use, but that’s the beauty of making them yourself – you know exactly what’s going into your food!
Remember, these numbers are always estimates (my grandma never measured a thing in her life and her wrappers were legendary). The main thing? You’re getting fresh, preservative-free wrappers that let you control exactly what you’re eating. Now that’s what I call smart cooking!
Ready to Make Your Own Egg Roll Wrappers?
Go ahead – grab that flour and get rolling! I can’t wait to hear how your homemade wrappers turn out. Share your crispy creations (and any brilliant variations you dream up) in the comments below!
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Homemade Egg Roll Wrappers: 10x Crispier Than Store-Bought!
Egg roll wrappers are thin sheets of dough used to make egg rolls. They are versatile and can be filled with various ingredients before frying or baking.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 wrappers 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add egg, water, and oil. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into thin sheets and cut into squares.
- Use immediately or store for later.
Notes
- Keep dough covered to prevent drying.
- Roll wrappers as thin as possible for crispier egg rolls.
- Store unused wrappers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrapper
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg