Pin it Last summer, my neighbor brought over a plate of lumpia from her family's kitchen in Manila, and I couldn't stop eating them—golden, crispy, impossibly light. When she mentioned she'd started making them in her new air fryer, I was skeptical at first, convinced they'd never match the deep-fried version. But then she shared her technique, and suddenly I was hooked on this easier, guilt-free approach that still delivered that perfect crunch I'd been craving.
I made these for my daughter's soccer team celebration last spring, and watching eighteen-year-olds devour them straight from the basket was the real victory that day. Even the skeptics who'd never tried lumpia before came back for seconds, which tells you something about how craveable they are.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken: The foundation of your filling—buy it fresh if you can, and don't skip the soy sauce and sesame oil, which transform basic poultry into something with real flavor.
- Carrot: Grated fine so it softens quickly and adds subtle sweetness and texture to the filling.
- Green onions: The brightness here matters; they prevent the filling from tasting flat and one-note.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic, not powder—it makes an enormous difference in how alive the filling tastes.
- Soy sauce and sesame oil: These two are the secret flavor backbone, so measure them generously and don't substitute unless you have a good reason.
- Lumpia wrappers: Find them in the Asian section of your grocery store, and buy a few extra because you'll inevitably tear one or two while learning the fold technique.
- Egg wash: This seals everything shut and creates that final golden sheen you're after.
- Oil spray: Use a light hand here—too much spray makes them greasy, too little and they brown unevenly.
Instructions
- Build the filling:
- Combine the chicken, carrot, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, salt, and sugar in a bowl and mix with your hands or a fork until everything is evenly distributed. The filling should smell savory and slightly sweet, with no dry pockets of chicken remaining.
- Prep the wrappers:
- Cut each lumpia wrapper in half lengthwise to create two rectangles—this makes them easier to fill and gives you smaller, more manageable bites. Stack them under a damp cloth so they don't dry out while you work.
- Fill and roll:
- Place about a tablespoon of filling along one short edge of each wrapper half, then shape it gently into a small log with your fingers. Fold the long sides inward over the filling, then roll tightly toward the opposite end, keeping everything snug so nothing bursts during cooking.
- Seal the seam:
- Brush the far edge with beaten egg, then press to seal as you finish rolling. The egg acts like glue and also gives that golden finish you're after.
- Load the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for three minutes while you arrange the lumpia bites in a single layer in the basket, leaving a tiny bit of space between each one. Give everything a light, even spray of oil—this is where the crispness comes from.
- Cook in stages:
- Air fry for eight minutes, then shake the basket or flip each bite with tongs, spray again lightly, and cook for another seven minutes until they're deep golden and crispy all over. The second spray and flip ensures even browning on all sides.
- Make the sauce:
- While they cook, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili sauce in a small bowl—taste it and adjust the balance of salty, sour, and sweet to your preference. This sauce is spicy only if you want it to be.
Pin it My husband took one bite and told me these were better than any restaurant version he'd had, and I realized in that moment that the air fryer hadn't just made them easier—it had somehow made them taste fresher, less heavy. That's when I knew this recipe was going to stick around.
Customizing Your Filling
The basic filling is forgiving enough to play with. I've experimented with ground turkey when chicken felt heavy, and ground pork when I wanted something richer—both work beautifully in exactly the same way. Add finely chopped water chestnuts or bell pepper for crunch, or keep it simple like my neighbor does.
Storage and Reheating
These keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days, though they rarely last that long in my house. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for about five minutes to restore their crispness—the microwave will make them chewy, so don't even think about it.
Sauce Variations and Pairings
The dipping sauce I've given you is balanced and safe, but Filipino families will tell you that banana ketchup is the traditional pairing if you can find a bottle. Sweet chili sauce works too, or just sriracha if you like your heat obvious and direct.
- Try mixing the basic soy-vinegar sauce with a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for brightness.
- Banana ketchup creates a sweet-salty contrast that feels nostalgic and familiar if you grew up with Filipino food.
- Sweet chili sauce turns these into something almost dessert-like, which sounds odd but absolutely works.
Pin it These lumpia bites have become my go-to appetizer when I want something that tastes impressive but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen. Serve them hot and watch them disappear.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I substitute the ground chicken with other meats?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or pork as alternatives to chicken for varied flavors and textures.
- → What is the best way to seal lumpia wrappers for air frying?
Use beaten egg to brush the edges of the lumpia wrapper before folding and rolling to ensure they stay sealed during cooking.
- → How do I achieve the crispiest texture in the air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer and lightly spray the lumpia bites with oil before cooking. Flip halfway through for even crispiness.
- → Can I add vegetables for extra crunch inside the filling?
Yes, finely chopped water chestnuts or bell peppers can be mixed into the filling for added texture and flavor.
- → Is there a recommended dipping sauce to accompany these lumpia bites?
A tangy mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and optional chili sauce complements the savory bites perfectly.
- → Can these lumpia bites be made vegetarian?
Replace ground chicken with firm tofu and adjust seasoning to create a vegetarian-friendly version.