Crispy Apple Pie Egg Rolls (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 3 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled and diced
02 - 30 ml unsalted butter
03 - 50 g brown sugar
04 - 50 g granulated sugar
05 - 5 ml ground cinnamon
06 - 1.25 ml ground nutmeg
07 - 15 ml all-purpose flour
08 - 5 ml lemon juice
09 - 2.5 ml vanilla extract

→ Assembly and Finishing

10 - 10-12 egg roll wrappers
11 - 1 beaten egg, for sealing
12 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying
13 - Powdered sugar, for dusting
14 - Caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)
15 - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional, for serving)

# Instructions:

01 - In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir the mixture well to combine. Cook for 6-8 minutes, allowing the apples to soften but retain some texture. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the apples and stir thoroughly to thicken the sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let the filling cool slightly.
02 - Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface in a diamond orientation, with a corner pointing towards you. Place approximately 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of the prepared apple filling onto the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then neatly fold in both side corners. Brush the top corner of the wrapper with the beaten egg. Tightly roll the wrapper upwards from the bottom to seal the egg roll securely. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
03 - Heat about 5 cm (2 inches) of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 175°C (350°F). Carefully fry the assembled egg rolls in small batches of 2-3 at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they achieve a golden brown color and a crispy texture. Remove the fried egg rolls and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Alternatively, for a lighter option, air fry them at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they are lightly brushed with oil beforehand.
04 - Dust the warm egg rolls generously with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with optional caramel sauce for dipping, or accompany with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

# Notes:

01 - For the best flavor balance, combine tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter varieties such as Honeycrisp or Fuji.
02 - Avoid overfilling each wrapper; approximately 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of filling is ideal to prevent bursting during cooking.
03 - Ensure a tight seal using egg wash or a cornstarch slurry to keep the filling contained.
04 - Maintain the frying oil temperature at 175°C (350°F) for optimal crispness.
05 - The apple filling can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored refrigerated.
06 - For a caramel apple variation, incorporate small caramel bits into the filling or drizzle extra caramel sauce inside before rolling.
07 - To create Apple Pie Cheesecake Egg Rolls, add a spoonful of sweetened cream cheese to the filling.
08 - For a baked alternative, brush the egg rolls with melted butter and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15-18 minutes until golden.
09 - Add a festive touch for holidays by including cranberries or pecans in the apple filling.