Are you up for some egg rolls and other Asian-inspired dishes? When the craving strikes, it's great to know that you have a stock of egg roll wrappers in the freezer so you can make those yummy treats. But do you know the best way to thaw your egg roll wrappers before you start preparing the food? We've asked the food experts and here's what they say.
They're so easy to thaw. The best ways to defrost your frozen egg roll wrappers are by transferring them to the fridge or on the counter. You can leave them in the fridge overnight. You can also defrost them on the counter for 30 minutes. Do not remove them from their packaging until they're fully thawed. Once defrosted, take them out and cover with a damp cloth or paper towel so that they'll stay moist and easy to roll.
Continue reading because we've got more tips for you on how to thaw your egg roll wrappers and how to know if they have gone bad. We'll also share with you tips on how to best store your egg roll wrappers in the freezer.
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How long to defrost egg roll wrappers?
Egg roll wrappers are like a canvas for some really tasty dishes. You can make Vietnamese spring rolls, Asian chicken, shrimp, and kale egg rolls, bean tostadas, or some chocolate-filled chimichangas. You can have them as appetizers, serve as the main course, or dessert. That's how versatile these egg wrappers are. They'll surely be a hit with everyone!
If you've got a stock of these wrappers in the freezer, good for you! It'll save you a trip to the grocery store. And since the wrappers are thin, it won't take too long to thaw completely. You can leave them in the fridge overnight or put them on the counter for about 30 minutes. Do not take them out of their packaging yet as you're defrosting them. Once completely thawed, you can remove the packaging but be sure to cover them with a damp cloth or paper towel to keep them moist.
You can also thaw the wrappers in the microwave. Remove from packaging and place them on a microwave-safe dish. Use the defrost setting for a few seconds. They should be manageable for wrapping by then.
Do egg roll wrappers expire?
Egg rolls are made from eggs, all-purpose flour, water, salt, and oil. These are combined and cooked carefully to produce a slightly thick and chewy texture. When you're not going to use them right away, it's best to keep them in the freezer to maximize their shelf life.
But this isn't a guarantee that your egg wrappers won't go bad. Take note that they do have an expiration date. Look at the packaging and you will see the estimated period when the product is expected to stay of top quality.
While freezing egg roll wrappers will significantly extend their shelf life, they will only last for 6 months in the freezer and that is if they are stored properly. This is true for both store-bought and homemade wrappers. Beyond this period, the quality of the wrappers could deteriorate which would affect the overall quality of the dish that you're preparing.
How can you tell if the egg roll wrappers are bad?
If you made your own egg roll wrappers or don't have the info regarding the expiration date, here are some ways to tell that your wrappers have gone bad:
- The wrapper's color is darker or there's a sign of discoloration.
- They've become oily.
- There's a sour or rotten smell.
- There are molds.
- They became mushy and watery when thawed.
Some people have shared their experiences cooking expired roll wrappers on a social discussion website. They say that they were still safe to eat but there were changes in the texture of the wrappers. This made them harder to roll. But experts say that it's just better to throw them away once you see these signs to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
Can you boil egg roll wrappers?
Since egg roll wrappers have a soft texture already, there's no need to boil them. As long as the ingredients used for the fillings are wet, then the wrappers will be able to absorb the moisture and they will be easy to roll. The most common ways of cooking these sheets are deep frying, frying, baking, or using the air fryer.
However, some cooks use these wrappers for their pasta dishes such as lasagna, cannelloni, or ravioli. Some say that you can boil or steam them for these types of recipes so you can give them a try if you're up for it.
Can you eat an egg roll cold?
Egg rolls are best served hot and crispy. For many of us, this is what makes egg rolls so delectable. The crunch in every bite levels up the experience.
You can reheat your rolls using the stovetop, oven, air fryer, or microwave. You don't even need to thaw them. You can cook them straight from their frozen state so you can munch on these tasty delights in a few minutes.
But of course, it's a matter of personal preference. As long as the rolls have been cooked before and you don't have any problem eating cold egg rolls, then we're not going to stop you. To each his own, right?
Check out these vegetable egg rolls from Whole Foods Market on Amazon.
How to Best freeze egg roll wrappers
These wrappers freeze so well. You can keep them in their original packaging if you haven't opened them yet. For those with unused wrappers or who made their own egg roll wrappers at home, here's how you can freeze them:
1. Make sure that the wrappers have cooled down completely.
2. Cut wax paper into a slightly bigger size than the egg wrappers.
3. Put wax paper in between each layer of egg wrapper.
4. Place them in an airtight container. You can also use a freezer bag just remove any excess air before sealing it tightly.
5. Label with the content and date before putting it inside the freezer.
Here's a tip: You can package them according to how many you usually need when cooking so that you can just grab the bag from the freezer.
Can you refreeze eggroll wrappers?
It is not recommended to refreeze egg roll wrappers once they have already thawed. There might be changes in their texture and quality which won't make them good to use the next time around.
This is why it is best to put wax paper in between layers of your egg roll wrappers before you put them in the freezer. This way, you can only get the portion that you need and avoid wasting the whole bunch. We've heard stories from home cooks who only needed about 5 wrappers for the ingredients that they've prepared so unless you're preparing egg rolls for a party, just get what you need and put the rest back in the freezer.
Final Thoughts
Egg roll wrappers are just like gift wrappers. You use them to wrap delicious treats that everyone will surely enjoy. The best part is that they freeze so well and they're easy to thaw so you can keep wrapping away!
