Are Spring Rolls Gluten-Free?

Spring rolls are one of the finest Asian dishes you can serve for your family and friends, whether on a typical day or occasion. Originating for Chinese New Year, they have also become popular in other countries. They are usually made from rice paper wrappers filled with meat, vegetables, seafood, or even tofu. The filling is wrapped tightly to form a roll and steamed until cooked. It’s a simple but delicious way to enjoy some tasty food. 

However, some would argue that a pack of spring rolls is not necessarily gluten-free, vegan spring rolls because they contain wheat flour as an ingredient. This is true if you use regular wheat flour instead of gluten-free flour blends. However, there are many different types of gluten-free flours available today. You can find them at most grocery stores and health food stores. Some of these include corn starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, arrowroot powder, sorghum flour, and millet flour.

What Are Spring Rolls?

Spring rolls are made of thin sheets of rice paper (also known as cellophane noodles) rolled around fillings such as beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, vegetables, and more. These homemade spring rolls are then steamed until they are cooked through.

You can also get Chinese takeout spring rolls available in any Chinese restaurant. They are generally called Chinese appetizer roll, and the best type to get is Cantonese spring rolls. Cantonese-style veggie spring roll are trendy because of their savory flavor.

Rice paper is often used in Asian cooking because it has a light texture and absorbs flavors well. In addition, it doesn’t require any special equipment to make. Boil water, add rice paper, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before using it.

Next, cut the rice paper into strips and soak them in warm water so they will be easier to work with. Then, place the strips onto a flat surface and spread out the pieces. Next, put a small amount of filling along the center of each strip. Fold the sides over the filling, then fold the bottom edge up and over the top. Roll the edges together to seal the roll. Finally, steam the crispy gluten-free veggie rolls for about 5 to 7 minutes.

If you’re looking for gluten-free egg roll wrappers, you can make crispy veggie rolls at home. Some popular spring roll fillings for vegans are shredded carrots, cabbage, celery, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, bean sprouts, and scallions. Other ingredients that go great with spring rolls are soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, peanut butter, and honey.

Some also make gluten-free spring rolls by replacing the rice paper with nori seaweed. Nori is a Japanese sea vegetable that’s commonly used in sushi rolls. It’s a good substitute for rice paper because it has similar properties.

What Are Spring Rolls Made Of?

Spring rolls are usually made of rice paper and savory filling. It can be made of various ingredients, including ground meats, shredded vegetables, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and more. But what makes spring rolls unique is how they are folded. Rice paper is very flexible, which allows you to quickly wrap it around fillings without tearing.

Another tip is to keep the rice paper moist while rolling. If your rice paper starts to dry, dip it into hot water. Also, don’t forget to squeeze out excess moisture from the rice paper after you’ve wrapped it around the filling.

What Are Spring Roll Fillings Made Of?

When you look up spring roll recipes online or in cookbooks, you’ll see that they all vary depending on what type of filling you want. For example, you can choose between:

• Beef

• Chicken

• Shrimp

• Pork

• Vegetables

• Tofu

• Seafood

• Other Ingredients

What Are Spring Roll Wrappers Made From?

Spring roll wrappers are made from rice paper. However, there are alternatives like nori seaweed wraps, crepe paper, and cabbage leaves. You can always substitute another wrapper if you don’t want to use rice paper.

Some people use nori seaweed wraps when making spring rolls. Nori seaweed is dried laver (seaweed). It’s commonly found in Japanese cuisine. To prepare this type of wrapper, tear off a sheet of nori seaweed and lay it flat. Spread sauce or seasoning on the nori, then layer the filling. Wrap the nori around the filling to create a spring roll.

Another alternative is to use crepe paper. Crepe paper is made from rice paper, but it’s thicker than regular rice paper. When ready to make your spring rolls, tear off a piece of crepe paper and spread some sauce or seasoning. Layer the filling on top, then fold the crepe paper over the filling to form a spring roll.

Finally, you can also use cabbage leaves instead of rice paper. Cabbage leaves are much thinner than rice paper, so they won’t hold as many fillings. You can either buy pre-made cabbage leaves or make your own by cutting cabbage leaves into long strips. Once you have done that, follow the same steps as above.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Some people with celiac disease cannot eat these types of grains due to their high gluten content. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s intestinal lining. This causes damage to the villi, which leads to the malabsorption of nutrients. People with celiac disease should avoid eating products containing gluten.

Are Spring Roll Wrappers Gluten-free?

Not really. Since spring roll wrappers are made of rice paper, they contain gluten. So, if you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you might try using other types of wrappers. There are plenty of vegan spring roll wrappers, store-bought spring roll pastry wrappers, regular spring roll wrappers, and more.

Some great gluten-free options and vegan rolls for store-bought spring roll wrapper include:

• Lettuce Leaf Wraps or Cabbage Wraps

• Nori Seaweed Wraps

• Crepe Paper

• Cabbage Leaf Wraps

Making Vegan and Gluten-Free Spring Rolls

Making spring rolls is easy, but making gluten-free and vegan versions is not. There are plenty of substitutes available for those who need them. Here are some suggestions:

• Use tofu instead of meat.

• Replace the egg with a flaxseed meal.

• Use soy sauce instead of oyster sauce.

• Use coconut milk instead of regular milk.

• Make sure to soak the rice paper before wrapping.

• Add spices such as turmeric, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, etc.

• Try different sauces and seasonings.

Here is a step-by-step recipe for making vegan rolls and gluten-free spring rolls.

Ingredients Lists

• One package of rice paper sheets or regular spring roll wrappers
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Sauce/seasoning of choice
• Filling of choice

Method

Step 1 – Prepare Rice Paper

Place a few sheets of rice paper in a bowl filled with warm water to make rice paper. If you are using a store-bought spring roll pastry wrapper, you can also do so. Let sit for about 10 minutes until soft. Drain well. 

Step 2 – Fill Traditional Spring Rolls

After draining the rice paper, cut each one into four equal pieces. Place a small amount of sauce or seasoning on the center of each piece of rice paper. Then add a small amount of filling on top. Fold the sides up towards the middle, then continue rolling tightly and ensure to make a tight roll. Repeat with remaining ingredients. 

If you’re making baked spring rolls, skip this step.

Step 3 – Fry Rice Paper

Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat. When hot enough, carefully drop in the rice papers—Cook for about 30 seconds per side. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

You can also make fresh spring rolls instead of baked or fried ones. Vegan rolls are best served fresh, especially if it’s not a store-bought spring roll wrapper.

Fill The Vegan Egg Rolls

To add more flavor to your vegan rolls, you can replace the meat with vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, etc. Add nuts, seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds to your vegan egg roll wrappers for extra crunch.

A vegan egg roll is also delicious! To make this version, omit the meat and eggs. Instead, use vegetable broth, sauteed veggies, and whatever else you’d normally put inside an egg roll. Next, fry the vegan egg roll wrappers according to the directions above.

Storage

When storing leftover vegan spring rolls or fresh spring rolls, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Other ways to keep leftovers include freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also freeze them in a large zip-top bag.

Can I Freeze Them?

Spring rolls can also be frozen. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.

You can also see store-bought and ready-made spring rolls at most grocery stores. They are usually found near the Asian food section.

Can I Air Fry My Gluten-free Vegetable Spring Rolls?

You can cook your vegan and gluten-free Chinese spring rolls using air fryers. Follow these instructions:

1) Heat oil in the bottom of the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

2) Cut the spring roll wrappers or any type of wrappers for vegan rolls and fresh spring rolls into eight equal strips.

3) Dip each strip in flour, followed by a beaten egg, and then coat it again in flour.

4) Put the coated spring roll strips in the hot oil and fry for 5 minutes. Flip over and repeat steps 3 through 6.

5) Remove from the air fryer and serve.

Air-frying your vegan rolls and gluten-free spring rolls will give them a crispy texture similar to deep-fried spring rolls foods. It is also a healthier option than cooking them in a pan. The Health benefits of air frying include less fat, lower cholesterol, and fewer calories. You may also try to make baked spring rolls instead of fried spring rolls, but this is suitable for those who are not in a rush. Fresh spring rolls can also be an option.