Crispy Air Fryer Reuben Egg Rolls You’ll Love

The first time I tried to make these air fryer reuben egg rolls, it was a disaster. Absolute unmitigated chaos. My oldest, bless his cotton socks, decided it was the perfect morning to reenact the Battle of Gettysburg in the living room. Screaming, toy soldiers flying.

Meanwhile, I’m at the counter, trying to wrangle slippery corned beef and kraut into delicate wrappers. Not exactly a recipe for culinary zen, you know? While I was working on my own air fryer reuben egg rolls recipe, I noticed others have explored similar ideas, including these easy reuben egg rolls that offer a different perspective on the classic snack.

I swear, half the sauerkraut ended up on the floor. Some of it even landed on the dog’s head. He looked indignant. I almost just gave up and ordered pizza.

But something in me, that stubborn cook’s spirit, just said “No.” Had to pull it together. My hands sticky, a smudge of Thousand Island on my cheek probably.

That’s the kind of kitchen I run. Real. Messy. But always, eventually, good food comes out of it. And these air fryer reuben egg rolls? They’re worth the battle.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Reuben Egg Rolls

Look, I’m a simple guy. I like good food, and I like it without a whole lot of fuss. That’s why the air fryer is my best friend some days. They’re not some fancy, delicate appetizer you spent all day slaving over. Nah. These are hearty. They’ve got flavor. And they hit just right when you want something satisfying but you ain’t got hours to spare. We’re talking comfort food, but smaller. Snack-sized.

I remember my buddy, Dave, coming over for a game night. He’s a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. Not usually one for “fancy” little bites. I put these out, not saying what they were, just “try these.” He took a bite, eyes wide. “What is this magic?” he asks, mouth full of deliciousness. That’s the reaction you’ll get. A good, honest “wow.” They’re crunchy, salty, savory. Everything you want in a snack, really. Plus, it’s a reuben. In a portable, dippable form.

And let’s be real, who doesn’t love crispy? The air fryer takes care of that beautifully. No deep-frying mess, no oil splattering everywhere, just that perfect crisp shell you crave. It’s a whole experience in one little package. Plus, they’re so easy to make in batches. You load ‘em up, set the timer, and boom. Appetizers for a crowd. Or just for yourself. No judgment here.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s talk ingredients. Nothing crazy here. You probably have most of this stuff lurking in your fridge or pantry already, especially if you’re a fan of reuben sandwiches. Get decent quality stuff, you’ll thank yourself later. Cheap ingredients make cheap-tasting food. It’s a simple rule.

Dry Ingredients

Egg roll wrappers are your chariots for flavor. Don’t cheap out. You want decent quality ones that won’t tear easily. Get the large square ones, not the small spring roll size.

Sauerkraut must be squeezed dry. Seriously. This is key. No one wants a soggy egg roll. That watery kraut will make your wrappers fall apart and nobody wants that. Get a good quality kraut. The tang of the sauerkraut is what really makes it a reuben.

Swiss cheese (shredded) is a must. Gotta have the Swiss. Get a block and shred it yourself if you can. The nutty, slightly sweet melt of Swiss is essential for these crispy egg rolls.

Wet Ingredients

Corned beef is the star of your snack. Use good quality corned beef. Cut it into small, manageable pieces. You don’t want giant chunks trying to bust out of your egg roll wrapper. Pastrami works too if that’s what you prefer or have on hand.

Thousand Island or Russian Dressing is for dipping! Essential. Don’t skip it. The creamy, tangy dressing is what ties everything together. It’s the cool counterpoint to the hot, salty filling.

Non-stick spray is going to help you get those air fryer reuben egg rolls nice and crispy without a ton of extra oil. A little spritz on the basket, a little on the tops of the egg rolls. It’s a gamechanger for that golden, crunchy exterior.

How to Make Reuben Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer

Alright, let’s get down to business. This ain’t rocket science, but there are a few tricks to getting these air fryer reuben egg rolls just right. It’s all about patience and a little bit of technique. Don’t rush it. Good food takes a moment.

Step 1: Prep Work

First thing, get all your ingredients ready. Lay out those egg roll wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Then, grab your corned beef or pastrami. If it’s in big slices, cut it down. About quarter-inch pieces are good. You want enough meat in each bite, but not so much it tears the wrapper.

Next, the sauerkraut. I cannot stress this enough: SQUEEZE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF IT. Use a cheesecloth, a clean kitchen towel, or just your hands. Get out every drop of excess liquid. Seriously. Then, have your shredded Swiss cheese ready to go. A little bowl for each ingredient makes assembly go quicker and cleaner.

Step 2: Assembling the Egg Rolls

Now for the fun part. Grab one egg roll wrapper. Lay it down so it looks like a diamond, with a point facing you. Take a small amount of your chopped corned beef and place it near the bottom point. Don’t overfill. That’s a rookie mistake. Too much filling, and they’ll burst.

Then, top that corned beef with a bit of your thoroughly squeezed sauerkraut. And finally, sprinkle some of that glorious Swiss cheese over the top. Take the bottom corner, the one closest to you, and pull it up and over the filling. Tuck it in tight. Fold in the left and right corners, and roll the whole thing upwards.

Step 3: Air Frying to Golden Perfection

Preheat your air fryer if it’s one of those models that needs it. Grab your non-stick spray. Give the basket a good spray. Place your assembled egg rolls in the basket. Don’t crowd them! Once they’re in, give the tops of the egg rolls a quick spritz with that non-stick spray.

Set your air fryer to 370 degrees F. Cook for about 10 minutes. At the halfway point, around 5 minutes, open it up and flip them over. You want even browning. When they come out, let them cool just a touch. They’ll be hot. Then slice ’em in half and serve with that Thousand Island or Russian dressing for dipping.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Reuben Egg Rolls

Getting the perfect air fryer reuben egg rolls isn’t just about following the steps. It’s about knowing a few little secrets. If you are looking for more fun air fryer reuben egg rolls variations, keep these tips in mind to ensure your success.

First off, don’t skimp on drying out that sauerkraut. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Wring it out like you’re mad at it. Seriously. You want it as dry as possible.

Second, don’t overfill those wrappers. I know it’s tempting to cram in as much corned beef and cheese as possible. But trust me, you’ll regret it. Overfilled egg rolls are prone to bursting in the air fryer.

Third, the spray oil. A light spritz on the outside of each egg roll helps achieve that gorgeous golden color and extra crunchy texture. But don’t drown them. A fine mist is all you need.

Finally, don’t crowd the air fryer. This is non-negotiable. If you try to cook too many at once, they won’t get crispy. They’ll steam instead, and you’ll end up with soft, doughy egg rolls.

Serving Suggestions

So you’ve got these beautiful, golden-brown air fryer reuben egg rolls fresh out of the air fryer. Now what? Well, you can’t just eat them plain, now can you? First and foremost, you absolutely, positively MUST have that dipping sauce. Thousand Island or Russian dressing. No question.

These crispy egg rolls are fantastic on their own as an appetizer. Perfect for a party, a game day, or just a Saturday afternoon snack. They disappear fast. I’ve seen them vanish off a platter in minutes. But you can also make a meal out of them. A side salad, maybe a light soup, and a few of these, and you’ve got a satisfying dinner.

Think about occasions too. St. Patrick’s Day is an obvious one. Instead of a full reuben sandwich, these are a fun twist. They’re a conversation starter. They’re also great for casual weeknight dinners when you’re tired of the usual suspects. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of that dressing ready. You’ll need it.

Health Benefits

Now, I’m no doctor, and I ain’t claiming these air fryer reuben egg rolls are kale salads. But there’s a world of difference between deep-fried and air-fried. And that difference often means less oil, which means less guilt.

Corned beef has protein. Good for building muscles, keeps you full. And sauerkraut is a fermented food, which is often great for your gut health. It is always wise to prioritize whole grain options and nutrient-dense ingredients when you can, as balance is what cooking at home is all about.

Plus, you’re controlling the ingredients. You know exactly what’s going into these—no mystery oils or strange additives. When you make these corned beef egg rolls yourself, you can select quality ingredients, which always contributes to a healthier end product. That’s always a benefit of home cooking.

Reuben Egg Rolls

Chef Marcus

These easy Reuben Egg Rolls are a perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer, packing the classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich into a crispy, air-fried shell.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

• 8-10 egg roll wrappers
• 8 oz corned beef (or pastrami) sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup sauerkraut
• 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded
• Thousand Island or Russian Dressing for serving
• non-stick spray

Instructions

 

• Lay egg roll wrapper on a flat surface and add some corned beef.
• Top with sauerkraut and cheese.
• Roll starting with the bottom corner closest to you. Fold it over stuffing. Fold in sides next. Then roll away from you to the opposite point.
• Use a tiny bit of cold water on your finger to seal the edges.
• Spray air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Place egg rolls in air fryer (work in batches as needed). Spray the tops with non-stick spray as well.
• Air fry at 370 degrees for 10 minutes flipping halfway through. If you'd prefer them more crispy add on a couple more minutes.
• Slice in half and serve with Thousand Island or Russian dressing on the side for dipping.