The Best Ways to Reheat Egg Rolls (I Only Trust These 2)

Leftover egg rolls are a blessing and a curse. You’ve got crispy little bundles waiting in the fridge, but reheating usually turns them into sad, soggy shells of their former selves.

I’ve been there, staring at yesterday’s takeout at 2 PM, debating whether to eat it cold (spoiler: don’t).

The good news? You don’t have to settle. After plenty of trial and error (and more than a few disappointing lunches), I’ve figured out the two best ways to get egg rolls crispy again. Homemade or takeout, here’s how to bring them back to life so they taste almost fresh.

And if egg rolls aren’t your only leftover struggle, I’ve also put together a full guide on reheating just about anything

Why Reheating Egg Rolls Is Tricky (But Not Impossible)

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s talk about why egg rolls are such divas when it comes to reheating. Understanding the enemy is half the battle, right?

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The main culprits ruining your egg roll game:

• Steam is your enemy: When you reheat fried food like egg rolls, the moisture from the filling creates steam, which softens that beautiful crispy wrapper faster than you can say “soggy disappointment.”
• Uneven heating: You know that frustrating moment when the outside is scorching hot but the inside is still cold? That’s because different reheating methods distribute heat unevenly.
• Oil overload: Some methods (I’m looking at you, pan-frying) can make your egg rolls greasier than they started, which nobody asked for.
• Flavor fade: Let’s face it, leftovers are never quite as vibrant as fresh food, but the right reheating technique can get you pretty darn close.

But don’t worry, with the right method, you can totally overcome these issues and get egg rolls that’ll make you forget they’re leftovers.

The Cheat Sheet: Best Ways to Reheat Egg Rolls at a Glance

Look, I know you might be in a hurry (hangry waits for no one), so here’s your quick reference guide:

Method	Temperature	Time
Oven	350°F	10-12 min
Air Fryer	350°F	4-5 min
Skillet	Medium heat	2-3 min per side
Microwave	High power	45-60 sec

My honest take: The oven and air fryer are your best friends here. The microwave? Well, we’ll talk about that later (and how to make it less terrible).

Method 1: Oven Reheating (The Gold Standard)

This is my go-to method when I want egg rolls that taste almost restaurant-fresh. Yes, it takes a bit longer, but trust me – the results are worth every minute.

Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Don’t skip this step! A properly preheated oven is crucial for even heating.
2. Set up a wire rack on a baking sheet. This is a game-changer because it allows air to circulate around the egg rolls, preventing that dreaded soggy bottom.
3. Arrange your egg rolls on the rack with some space between them. Don’t crowd them – they need room to breathe.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This ensures even browning on all sides.
5. Let them rest for 1-2 minutes before digging in. The inside will be molten lava hot, and nobody wants a burned tongue.

Why this method rocks: The dry heat of the oven slowly removes moisture while crisping up the wrapper. According to food science experts, dry heat methods are superior for maintaining crispy textures because they don’t introduce additional moisture like steaming methods do.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a wire rack, you can place them directly on the oven rack with a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drips. Just be careful not to let them fall through!

Method 2: Air Fryer (The Speed Demon)

If you have an air fryer, consider yourself lucky. This method gives you oven-quality results in half the time. It’s basically like having a tiny convection oven that works at warp speed.

Step-by-step:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes.
2. Place egg rolls in the basket in a single layer. Don’t stack them – they need that hot air flowing all around.
3. Cook for 4-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This ensures even crisping.
4. Check for doneness. They should be golden and crispy. Add another minute if needed.

Why air fryers are magic: The rapid circulation of hot air creates a convection effect that crisps the outside while heating the inside evenly. Research from culinary institutes shows that convection cooking methods reduce cooking time by up to 25% while maintaining better texture.

Heads up: Don’t overcrowd the basket. I learned this the hard way when half my egg rolls came out perfectly crispy and the other half were still soggy. Cook in batches if you need to.

Method 3: Skillet (For the Crunch Addicts)

Sometimes you want that extra-crispy, almost fried-again texture. The skillet method delivers maximum crunch, though it does use a bit more oil.

Here’s how to nail it:

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Don’t go higher – you’ll burn the outside before the inside heats through.
2. Add egg rolls and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
3. Transfer to paper towels to drain any excess oil.

The good: Maximum crispiness and that satisfying sizzle. The not-so-good: Uses more oil and can get a bit messy. Also, there’s a higher risk of burning if you’re not paying attention.

Best for: When you have just a few egg rolls and want restaurant-level crispiness.

Method 4: Microwave (The Last Resort)

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. Microwaving egg rolls is generally not great. The microwave creates steam, which is the enemy of crispiness. But sometimes life happens, and you need food fast.

If you absolutely must microwave:

1. Wrap each egg roll in a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
2. Heat for 45-60 seconds on high power.
3. Immediately transfer to a hot skillet or toaster oven for 1-2 minutes to crisp up the outside.

Real talk: This method is for emergencies only. Like, you’re at work, it’s lunch time, and all you have is an office microwave. The paper towel trick does help, but don’t expect miracles.

How to Reheat Frozen Egg Rolls

Found a forgotten bag of egg rolls in your freezer? No problem! You don’t even need to thaw them first.

For oven reheating from frozen:

• Increase cooking time to 15-18 minutes at 350°F
• Flip halfway through
• Check that they’re heated through to 165°F internal temperature

For air fryer from frozen:

• Cook for 6-8 minutes at 350°F
• Shake the basket every 2-3 minutes
• Add extra time if needed

The key is being patient and not cranking up the heat. High heat will burn the outside while leaving the inside frozen – nobody wants that surprise.

Pro Tips for Perfect Reheated Egg Rolls

After countless egg roll reheating sessions (yes, my life is that exciting), here are my tried-and-true tips:

Always preheat your oven or air fryer. This ensures even cooking from the start.

Never cover them with foil. You want that moisture to escape, not get trapped.

Use a wire rack when possible. It prevents soggy bottoms and promotes even heating.

Don’t overcrowd. Give your egg rolls some personal space for the best results.

Let them rest before eating. The filling gets incredibly hot and needs a minute to cool down to edible temperatures.

Reheat in small batches rather than trying to do everything at once. Your patience will be rewarded with better texture.

Before You Go

Here’s the truth: reheating egg rolls doesn’t have to mean settling for sad, soggy leftovers. With the right technique – and I’m team oven or air fryer all the way – you can get results that’ll make you actually excited about yesterday’s takeout.

My final verdict: If you want the best balance of crispiness and convenience, go with the oven method for larger batches or the air fryer for speed. Save the skillet for when you want maximum crunch, and only use the microwave if you’re truly desperate (and follow up with some crisping).

The key is understanding that egg rolls want to be crispy again – you just have to give them the right environment to get there. A little patience and the right technique will reward you with egg rolls that taste almost as good as fresh. And honestly? Sometimes they taste even better because you put in the effort to do it right.

Now go forth and reheat those egg rolls with confidence. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you for not wasting perfectly good food. Happy eating!