If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to serve up those Thanksgiving leftovers, then you’re going to love my air fryer Thanksgiving egg rolls. A crispy golden brown wrapper around turkey and your favorite sides makes for a delicious snack the next day!
What Are Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?
Thanksgiving egg rolls are a creative appetizer or snack that makes use of leftover Thanksgiving ingredients and turns them into a crispy, handheld format.
These egg rolls are filled with a mix of Thanksgiving staples: leftover stuffing, roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. Of course, you can customize them based on what you happen to have left. Don’t forget the gravy for dipping!
katie’s tip
Need to roast up some Thanksgiving turkey? Check out my Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin or Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cutlets for some smaller batch options!
Air fry your egg rolls to crispy, golden brown perfect for a satisfying app or snack that’s a great way to give new life to “boring” old leftovers!
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Thanksgiving Egg Rolls Ingredients
- 12 egg roll wrappers
- ¾ cup diced or shredded cooked turkey (or sub chicken)
- ¾ cup mashed potatoes
- ¾ cup prepared stuffing
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup gravy
- Olive oil mist (or similar)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can really use any Thanksgiving leftovers you want in your egg rolls, though do try to avoid putting liquid things (like gravy) inside the egg rolls or they can get a little soggy
- Feel free to adjust proportions based on personal tastes and how much of everything you have left – as written this is about 1 Tbsp each of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and 1 tsp cranberry sauce per egg roll
- Egg roll wrappers can usually be found in the refrigerated or deli sections of the grocery store, or in Asian markets
How to Make Air Fryer Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
- Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface so that it’s facing you in a diamond shape. Put a small bowl of water off to the side
- Add 1 Tbsp mashed potatoes, 1 Tbsp stuffing, 1 tsp cranberry sauce, and 1 Tbsp turkey to the bottom half of the egg roll wrapper. Spread it evenly, but make sure to leave at least ½” at the edges clean
- Wet the outside edge of the egg roll wrapper all the way around by dipping your finger in the water and then running it along the outside edge
- Roll the egg roll by bringing the bottom corner up over the filling and pressing to secure it. Then, fold in the left and right sides, also pressing to secure. Last, roll away from you until the last corner is rolled up, and give it a gentle press to make sure it’s also secured. Repeat until all egg rolls are filled and rolled
- Place the egg rolls into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with a little air space between each one. Spray the tops with a mist of olive oil spray (or similar)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 6 minutes, then use tongs to flip, reapply oil, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, until brown and crispy. Note: if you are cooking in batches, 3-4 minutes per side is usually fine for later batches as the air fryer will be hotter to start
- Serve hot, with gravy on the side as a dipping sauce. Enjoy!
- Apple Cobbler Egg Rolls
What to Serve With Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
Thanksgiving egg rolls pair well with a variety of sauces, sides, or light salads to keep things fresh. Here are some of my favorite pairing suggestions:
Dipping Sauces
A rich, savory gravy or cranberry sauce (if you choose not to add it in the roll, or just like extra) works beautifully as a dip, enhancing the classic Thanksgiving flavors inside the egg rolls!
You could also try a creamy aioli with herbs, a tangy honey mustard, curry mayo, or a lightly spiced yogurt dip for extra flavor contrast.
Roasted Vegetables
Serving these egg rolls with a side of roasted root vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts, brings additional fall flavors and textures to the meal to make it into more than just a snack.
My Air Fryer Beets and Carrots are a quick and easy option!
Simple Salads
A fresh, leafy green salad with seasonal ingredients like arugula, apples, walnuts, and a light vinaigrette can add a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the egg rolls!
Coleslaw or Cabbage Salad
A tangy coleslaw with cabbage, apples, and a cider vinegar dressing adds crunch and balances out the heavier flavors of the egg rolls with acidity!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Fresh Ingredients Instead Of Leftovers?
Yes! You can use freshly made Thanksgiving ingredients like roasted turkey and mashed potatoes for a holiday appetizer.
Alternatively, you can even prep ingredients specifically for the egg rolls if you’re craving Thanksgiving flavors outside of the holiday season.
What Sauce Goes Best With Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?
The most popular sauces are a side of gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping.
Other options include a creamy aioli or honey mustard for added sweetness and tang.
Can You Freeze Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?
Yes, you can prepare them in advance and freeze before cooking. Just place the assembled egg rolls on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then store them in an airtight container.
When ready to cook, air fry them directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time to compensate.
What Other Fillings Can I Use For Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?
You can customize fillings to your preference! Some other options include sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, or corn casserole.
Adding a bit of cheese or brie can also enhance the flavor.
Why Use An Air Fryer For Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?
Air frying provides a healthier alternative to deep frying by using less oil while still achieving a crispy texture.
It’s also faster, more convenient, and avoids the mess of traditional frying!
How Do I Keep Thanksgiving Egg Rolls Crispy After Cooking?
If not serving immediately, keep them warm in the oven at a low temperature.
Avoid covering them, as this can trap steam and make them soggy.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
- There’s no need to reheat your fillings beforehand, as the process of cooking the egg rolls in the air fryer will get them hot too!
- You may get some leaks as the egg rolls cook (they’ll still taste good)! To minimize this, don’t overfill the egg rolls, make sure to press the seams well, and roll them tightly
- I do not preheat my air fryer since I flip the egg rolls anyway. However, as I noted above, this generally means if you make additional batches, you can reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes overall for subsequent batches
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftover Thanksgiving egg rolls in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days
- To reheat egg rolls in the air fryer, heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped. Time can vary slightly based on thickness of your egg rolls and your specific air fryer, so adjust as needed
Final Thoughts
These air fryer Thanksgiving egg rolls are one of my favorite ways to repurpose holiday leftovers from Thanksgiving (though you can make them anytime you have similar leftovers)!
With leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, they’re the perfect combination of savory with a hint of sweet, and great for dipping in leftover gravy too. Make a crispy appetizer or snack of them, or add a side like a salad or slaw to make a meal!
I love making egg rolls in the air fryer because they come out so crispy and delicious, and this is a great way to get my picky family to eat something “reheated”! For recipes for the holiday itself, make sure to check out all of my Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes for inspiration!
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Leftover Egg Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 egg roll wrappers
- ¾ cup diced or shredded cooked turkey
- ¾ cup prepared stuffing
- ¾ cup cold mashed potatoes
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup gravy
- Olive oil mist (or similar)
Instructions
- Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface so that it’s facing you in a diamond shape. Put a small bowl of water off to the side12 egg roll wrappers
- Add 1 Tbsp mashed potatoes, 1 Tbsp stuffing, 1 tsp cranberry sauce, and 1 Tbsp turkey to the bottom half of the egg roll wrapper. Spread it evenly, but make sure to leave at least ½” at the edges clean¾ cup diced or shredded cooked turkey, ¾ cup prepared stuffing, ¾ cup cold mashed potatoes, ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- Wet the outside edge of the egg roll wrapper all the way around by dipping your finger in the water and then running it along the outside edge
- Roll the egg roll by bringing the bottom corner up over the filling and pressing to secure it. Then, fold in the left and right sides, also pressing to secure. Last, roll away from you until the last corner is rolled up, and give it a gentle press to make sure it’s also secured. Repeat until all egg rolls are filled and rolled
- Place the egg rolls into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with a little air space between each one. Spray the tops with a mist of olive oil spray (or similar)Olive oil mist
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 6 minutes, then flip, reapply oil, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, until brown and crispy. Note: if you are cooking in batches, 3-4 minutes per side is usually fine for later batches as the air fryer will be hotter to start
- Serve hot, with gravy on the side for dipping. Enjoy!¼ cup gravy
Notes
- You can really use any Thanksgiving leftovers you want in your egg rolls, though do try to avoid putting liquid things (like gravy) inside the egg rolls or they can get a little soggy
- Feel free to adjust proportions based on personal tastes and how much of everything you have left
- There’s no need to reheat your fillings beforehand, as the process of cooking the egg rolls in the air fryer will get them hot too!
- You may get some leaks as the egg rolls cook (they’ll still taste good)! To minimize this, don’t overfill the egg rolls, make sure to press the seams well, and roll them tightly
- I do not preheat my air fryer since I flip the egg rolls anyway. However, as I noted in the recipe, this generally means if you make additional batches, you can reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes overall for subsequent batches
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
