Baked Tofu and Vegetable Egg Rolls Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: ieatthepeach

November3,2013

4

10 Ratings

  • Makes about 30 rolls

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

When I was a kid, my parents owned a stained, dog-eared cookbook called Chinese Meatless Cooking. The Baked Tofu Egg Rolls were one of my favorite recipes from the book -- chewy and hearty and entirely unlike any other egg rolls I'd ever eaten. I've fiddled with the recipe over the years, adjusting ingredients and proportions to tailor it to my tastes. And though the word "baked" in the title refers to the type of tofu used, I also now bake the egg rolls instead of frying them, which makes the whole process way easier. —ieatthepeach

Test Kitchen Notes

Takeout egg rolls are a guilty pleasure of mine, one of those things I’ve thought about making at home but assumed would be way too difficult. One look at this recipe and I wondered what took me so long. While I'm a huge fan of fried foods, I’m not as fond of frying them myself. Baking the rolls eliminates the mess (and fear) of frying. The result is a chewy yet crunchy roll that, while not exactly like the takeout version, is a satisfying and hearty substitute, especially dipped in sweet and sour sauce from leftover packets in my kitchen drawer. —bsessler

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 ouncedried shiitake mushrooms
  • Boiling water for soaking the mushrooms
  • 1 (6-oz) package baked (pressed) tofu, shredded or julienned
  • 4 celery stalks, shredded or finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • one 8-ounce can bamboo shoots, drained and thinly sliced
  • 4 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoonspeanut oil, plus more for brushing
  • 2 tablespoonshoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoonsoy sauce
  • 1 tablespoonunseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoontoasted sesame oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Crushed red chile flakes, to taste
  • 1 tablespooncornstarch
  • 3 tablespoonscold water
  • about 30 egg roll wrappers
  • Water for sealing the rolls
Directions
  1. Place mushrooms in a small heatproof bowl. Pour over enough boiling water to cover, and let soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the water and squeeze dry, then thinly slice. Reserve 1/2 cup of the mushroom soaking liquid.
  2. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. When you start to see wisps of smoke, add the tofu, celery, carrots, bamboo shoots, scallions, and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture is fragrant and the vegetables are beginning to soften. Add the mushrooms, reserved mushroom soaking liquid, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and chili flakes, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or just until the liquid is bubbling. Whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then stir the slurry into the filling mixture. Cook for another 30 seconds to a minute, or just until the sauce thickens and there is no more liquid bubbling in the pan. Remove the filling from the heat and let cool completely.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400º F, and lightly grease a baking sheet. Remove the wrappers from their packaging and place under a clean kitchen towel. Drain off any excess liquid from the cooled filling. Working one at a time, remove a wrapper from under the towel, place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the middle, and roll the wrapper around the filling, folding in the sides as you go. Use your finger to dab a little bit of water on the pointed end of the wrapper before you finish rolling, to seal the egg roll closed. As you finish rolling the egg rolls, place them under plastic wrap or another clean kitchen towel to keep them from drying out.
  4. Lay the egg rolls on the baking sheet, seam-side down, and brush the tops with peanut oil. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until starting to brown on top; flip the rolls over, brush the other side of each roll with peanut oil, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp on both sides. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
  5. You can freeze the cooked, cooled egg rolls for up to a month. Just lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer until frozen solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Reheat the frozen egg rolls in a 350º F oven.
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Family Recipe
  • Your Best Vegan Recipe
  • Your Best Recipes with Tofu

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Änneken

  • Diane Negrón

  • esskay

  • KakiSue

  • marynn

Popular on Food52

12 Reviews

Linda D. October 29, 2020

I was very keen for this baked egg roll recipe to work, so I followed the recipe exactly as written. The egg rolls looked great coming out of the oven but we were disappointed after the first bite because the baked egg roll wrappers tasted leathery.

Änneken June 28, 2020

These are fun to make and have great umami flavor thanks to the shiitake.

Diane N. March 6, 2016

This looks so good! I need to try it!

esskay July 23, 2015

Would I be able to substitute egg roll with rice paper sheets? The ones usually used for spring rolls? I am a rookie and my concern is would there be any issues when rolling and sealing off the rolls if using rice paper...I don't want to end up with elaborate prep only to find out it won't work...so anyone with previous experience, please shed some light...

ieatthepeach July 23, 2015

It'd be a completely different effect! I've never tried baking rice paper wrappers, so I might suggest stopping before that part of the recipe. But the filling is completely cooked before you wrap it, so you might be able to make these into fresh spring rolls and eat them immediately (cold). I don't think you'd have any issues sealing the wrappers--in fact, I usually have trouble getting rice paper wrappers NOT to stick to themselves!

Adg March 6, 2014

Baked these tonight and am freezing them. How long to bake frozen egg rolls and still at 400?

Adg March 6, 2014

I see now you mentioned using 350 for reheating. Any guess how long?

ieatthepeach March 6, 2014

Hmmmm, that's a good question. I'd say maybe 20-30 minutes, but it really depends on your oven and how many you're reheating. Check on them every 10 minutes or so, and pull them when they're warm all the way through.

gelikatesse March 3, 2014

I made these tasty rolls too yesterday! They were delicious. I used 2 slices of eggroll per piece so they got extra crunchy and i seasoned the filling with an extra pack of miso-paste.
Thank you very much for the recipe!

KakiSue March 3, 2014

Made this exactly according to directions for a fun, vegan graze last night. Even my meat and potatoes husband loved the toothsome texture of the tofu. The sh*takes were the star of the show. Perfectly seasoned, too. Used thinned out (water) Major Greys in lieu of duck sauce and fresh mustard powder rehydrated for head burning spice -- as dipping condiments. Thanks for this recipe- I love the ability to freeze the leftovers.

marynn January 20, 2014

I tend to be a bit too cautious and don't want to mess this fabulous recipe up. What kind of tofu and baked off at 350 for 25 minutes or so? Do you marinate the tofu in anything first? Thank you so much; I love that you have put in the years of fiddling!

ieatthepeach January 26, 2014

Thanks for checking in! I usually buy baked tofu at Trader Joe's, or in the refrigerated area of the produce section at the supermarket. It's sometimes called "sprouted" or "pressed" tofu. It comes in different flavors, but use whatever you want.

If you want to make your own baked tofu, there are great instructions here: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-baked-tofu-74358

Baked Tofu and Vegetable Egg Rolls Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between egg roll and vegetable egg roll? ›

That's why, unlike spring rolls, egg rolls always have cooked fillings, and almost always include meat. Vegetable egg rolls can be equally hearty though, with a cooked combination of savory veggies like cabbage, celery and onion, plus plenty of seasoning.

What is the difference between roast pork egg roll and spring roll? ›

As far as the difference in fillings, egg rolls are typically filled with cooked cabbage, some other vegetables, and pork, while spring rolls typically contain only cooked vegetables. But like any generalization for food so beloved worldwide, you're sure to find exceptions if you look hard enough.

How to cook frozen egg rolls in the oven? ›

For best results, warm your oven up to 375 degrees and arrange your frozen egg rolls on top of a wire rack placed on a baking sheet. The rack ensures that the heat reaches the rolls on all sides for the crispiest exterior possible. Bake for 20 minutes, turning each egg roll over halfway through.

How to cook Tai Pei egg rolls in the oven? ›

Place egg rolls on a baking sheet. 3. Heat for 20 minutes. For best results, turn once during baking.

Which is healthier, spring roll or egg roll? ›

A: Spring rolls are lighter than egg rolls, typically have more vegetables, and have a lighter wrapper, making them the healthier option.

Are vegetable egg rolls healthy for you? ›

Nutritionally speaking, an egg roll could be considered a less healthy option. It is a salty, fried food, with oil absorbed into the wrapper and filling during frying. The oil absorbed can increase the calories and fat consumed.

Are egg rolls Chinese or Japanese? ›

Foodtimeline.org says, “egg rolls (and their lighter counterpart, spring rolls) date back to ancient China. It is quite likely that egg-roll type foods were made and consumed in the USA by the first Chinese settlers in the mid 1800's.” Okay, now we are getting somewhere.

Can you use egg roll wrappers for spring rolls? ›

You can use spring roll or egg roll wrappers here, though spring rolls will create a more delicate, crispy crunch than the egg rolls' thicker exteriors.

What are Chinese egg rolls made of? ›

The egg roll is a variety of deep-fried appetizer served in American Chinese restaurants. It is a cylindrical, savory roll with shredded cabbage, chopped meat, or other fillings inside a thickly-wrapped wheat flour skin, which is fried in hot oil.

Why won't my egg rolls stay crispy? ›

Keep Oil at 350˚F – If the temperature drops too low, the egg rolls will be soggy and oily. If it's too hot, they will burn before the filling is cooked through. Ensure the oil does not drop below 325F.

Do you thaw frozen egg rolls before frying? ›

Yes, you can fry frozen egg rolls without thawing them. In fact, frying them from a frozen state can help them maintain their shape and prevent them from becoming soggy. What type of oil should I use for frying frozen egg rolls? It is recommended to use vegetable or canola oil for frying frozen egg rolls.

How to make frozen egg rolls better? ›

1. Oven Baking:
  1. Arrange the frozen egg rolls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small gap between them.
  2. Brush each egg roll lightly with vegetable oil to enhance the crispiness.
  3. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the egg rolls turn golden brown.

How long to cook pagoda egg rolls in oven? ›

Conventional Oven:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove 4 egg rolls from carton and inner bag. Place egg rolls on foil lined baking tray and place on top oven rack. Heat for 19 to 20 minutes.

How do you cook Schwan's egg rolls? ›

Deep Fryer (350°F): Fry for 3-3.5 minutes if thawed; 6-6.5 minutes if frozen. Convection Oven (350°F): Bake for 8-8.5 minutes if thawed; 13-13.5 minutes if frozen. Rotate baking tray halfway through bake time. Conventional Oven (425°F): Bake for 10-11 minutes if thawed; 17-18 minutes if frozen.

What is vegetable egg roll made of? ›

In a large bowl, mix together the chopped glass noodles, cabbage, carrots, scallions, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss until well combined. Place a spring roll wrapper on a clean work surface and add 3 tablespoons of filling to the center.

What is a vegetable roll made of? ›

Vegetable Roll is a uniquely Northern Irish delicacy, made up of cuts of lean beef and seasoned with fresh herbs and vegetables such as leeks and onions.

What are the benefits of vegetable egg rolls? ›

Veggie egg roll contains very high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin B6 and vitamin C. It is also high in fiber and can help you lose weigh. Fresh Vegetable used in egg roll are a great source of vitamins. Fresh Avocado may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.

Is Veg roll and spring roll same? ›

The difference should be twofold: 1) 'eggroll' wrappers are made with eggs, 'springroll' wrappers aren't, 2) eggrolls usually contain meat, like ground pork, spring rolls are usually vegetarian and don't contain meat.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6325

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.