Learn how to make spring roll wrappers (egg roll wrappers or lumpia wrappers) at home with a simplified method, no dough kneading, no long-time fermentation, and only need 15 minutes to make. The actual shortcut way!
Spring Roll Wrappers
Spring roll wrappers are thin, translucent, and edible paper made from flour and water. It is different from rice paper wrappers. They are commonly used in many East Asian cuisines, such as Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese, to make spring rolls.
Spring roll wrappers need to be thin as pepper so they are delicate and crispy when fried or soft and chewy when served fresh. The thickness of the wrapper can also affect the overall texture and taste of the spring roll.
How Spring Roll wrappers are made traditionally
The traditional way of making spring roll wrappers need lots of kneading, smashing, and practice drawing the round circle. If you are interested in the process, go ahead and check traditional Spring Roll wrappers.
Why this shortcut version?
I keep my promise and have been testing spring roll wrappers or egg roll wrappers at home for the last two weeks. And I finally figure out the critical factors of paper thin and elastic spring roll wrappers, using the very traditional way.
When I finally master the skills, my husband showed me his concern that the traditional method was hard to control and the readers might fail at the first attempts just like me. After so much time cleaning up my cabinet surface, he strongly recommended that I should figure out a simplified version, the same as scallion pancakes. Since I think he offered a really great point. I started my journey and tested again. So this is the result and it produces quite great results. The wrappers are slightly thicker than the traditional version but thin enough and round enough! What’s better, I have matched those wrappers with several types of dishes. All of them taste fabulous.
Method of making spring roll wrappers- brushing Vs swirling
I use the brushing method to ensure the wrappers are as thin as possible. But I get feedback saying there might be small bumps inside the wrapper if this method is not well used. Then swirling method might be a good option. Scoop the batter into the pan and quickly swirl to cover, with the same fire control method. Sounds quite reasonable. But I believe that version is slightly thicker than the brushing version.
About fire control
- Keep a slow fire when brushing the batter, so you have enough time to spread the batter as thin as possible.
- When all the brushing work is done, slightly turn up the fire and the wrapper can be cooked within 10 seconds.
You should repeat the process of slow fire and high fire for successful spring roll wrappers. In addition, if the pan is too hot and the batter becomes solid too quickly, wait for a while until it is slightly cooled.
Cook’s Note
- If there are any skins left on the pan, use a wet cloth to clean them up. Otherwise, those things will create bumps in the next wrapper.
- The cooked wrappers should be cooled down separately before overlapping, otherwise, they may stick to each other.
🧂 Ingredients and Tools
We only need three ingredients for this recipe, flour, water, and salt. Then a non-stick pan and a brush.
- all-purpose flour
- water: 300~320ml
- salt:1/2 tsp.
- non-stick pan, recommend using small ones so we can make the perfect roundness based on the shape of the pan.
- a brush
🍳How to make Spring roll wrappers
Mix salt and all-purpose flour and then pour in water. Keep stirring until well combined.
Strain the batter to remove any lumps.
Prepare a non-stick pan and a small brush. Heat your pan over the slowest fire and then quickly brush the batter on the pan to form a round skin.
Slightly turn up the fire and heat the skin until white and firm. Transfer to cool down aside.
Clean the pan with a wet cloth and then repeat the process until all the batter is finished.
How to use spring roll wrappers
There are several ways of using spring roll wrappers. My favorite serving way is to either use it simply as Chinese spring roll wrappers or use it as pancakes for roasted chicken, Peking duck, and moo shu pork.
It can also be used to wrap salads, traditional spring rolls, or make egg rolls.
How to keep spring roll wrappers
I highly commend you for using freshly made spring roll wrappers to ensure the spring rolls are super crispy. But if you have leftovers, remember to store them in an air-tight bag to avoid moisture.
Other homemade stuff from starch
Easy Spring Roll Wrappers
Ingredients
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 300 ml water + 20ml more if necessary
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Mix salt and all purpose flour and then pour in water. Keep stir until well combined.
- Strain the batter to remove any lumps.
- Prepare a non-stick pan and a small brush. Heat your pan over slowest fire and then quickly brush the batter on the pan to form a round skin. Slightly turn up the fire and heat the skin until white. Tear off and cool down aside.
- Clean the pan with a wet cloth and then repeat the process until all the batter is finished.
- The wrapper should be coved with a cloth or place in air-tight container to avoid softening back
This is perfect! I didn’t have even one turn out badly. They fry up deliciously crisp, too. Really impressed.
Thanks Jak. Now you can start the journey of wrapping up favorite ingredients.
I have not tried to make these yet but they look amazingly easy – is this the best wrapper to use for Peking duck … Thank you so much for sharing all your recipes and your skill X
Yes, this is super good for Peking duck. You can also wrap vegetables and make spring rolls.
excellent presentation . would like recipes on peking duck
This is very helpful to me especially now that i’m in a country where it is almost impossible to find Far-east products! I am going to try this recipe for sure.♥️
Thank you Em. This is a super easy method but need longer time for brushing the batter. I will introduce a quick version using traditional method soon.
Could these replace tortilla wraps or pita bread?
I would definitely make it again I♥️ them
Thanks for the feedback, Micah!
Hi,
Have you tried using rice flour or potato starch? Would like to know if it’s possible to do so. And if it is, will it be crispy when fried? Thanks.
Rice flour can work fine for wrappers but I am not sure about the accurate ratio. We use rice flour, mung bean flour and potato flour to make wrappers especially in Northern part. I will step up the effort.
Can this recipe be done with a gluten free flour?
Gluten free flour may create a different texture.
Hi, I made the spring rolls with this recipe and it came out so crispy and nice. ??.
Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Happy cooking ??
Thanks Nanthi for your feedback. I am so happy to know it turns satisfying to you. Happy cooking and enjoy your spring rolls.
I am SO excited about your recipe! I am going to make it with sourdough starter and let it ferment overnight, so I can eat it (I can’t eat non-fermented wheat). Sourdough starter is equal weight flour/water, so easy to subtract it out of the weights in the recipe, mix it all up, let it sit out overnight, and then make the wrappers some time tomorrow.THANK YOU!
I have one question: If using these to make egg rolls, would you be able to deep fry the egg rolls, or should you pan fry them? Thank you for your advice!
Hi Amy,
Yes, you can fermented the dough firstly. But it may taste slightly different. However I am not sure about how much sourdough should be added. If you make breads or buns frequently, I suggest start with a similar ration (based on the flour).
Egg rolls usually are deep-fried but pan-frying is also acceptable for healthy reasons.