Looking for a fun, creative, and utterly delicious way to enjoy the classic flavors of a cheeseburger? These incredible Cheeseburger Egg Rolls are your answer! Perfect as a show-stopping appetizer, a satisfying main dish, or the ultimate tailgating snack, they offer a delightful twist that both kids and adults will rave about. Paired with a simple yet zesty homemade Russian dressing, this recipe guarantees a memorable meal or party bite.
As a passionate enthusiast of diverse and delectable appetizers, I can confidently say that these Cheeseburger Egg Rolls stand out. They encapsulate everything wonderful about a classic cheeseburger – savory beef, melty cheese, and a hint of tang – all wrapped in a crispy, golden shell. If you’re eager to explore more crowd-pleasing starters, be sure to check out these other favorites: Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, or a creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip.
Irresistible Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Zesty Russian Dipping Sauce
It’s a culinary revelation: almost anything tastes amazing when encased in a crispy egg roll wrapper. While traditional Egg Roll recipes hold a special place, the world of creative egg roll fillings is vast and exciting. From the vibrant flavors of Southwestern Egg Rolls to the rich indulgence of Avocado Egg Rolls with Chipotle Ranch, the possibilities are endless. Don’t forget comforting favorites like Macaroni and Cheese Egg Rolls or the spicy kick of Buffalo Chicken Rolls. You can even create delightful desserts by filling them with fruit pie fillings! Truly, the humble egg roll wrapper is a canvas for culinary innovation.
These Cheeseburger Egg Rolls are a testament to that versatility, combining the beloved flavors of a classic American burger with the satisfying crunch of an egg roll. The recipe is wonderfully straightforward, featuring a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, and rich cheddar cheese, all wrapped up and fried to golden perfection. The result is a handheld delight that’s bursting with flavor and fun to eat.
Whether you’re hosting a lively tailgating party, looking for a unique appetizer to impress guests, or simply want to elevate your weeknight dinner with a playful twist, these cheeseburger egg rolls are guaranteed to be a hit. They offer that comforting, familiar cheeseburger taste in an exciting new format, making them a fantastic choice for any occasion. Prepare to watch them disappear quickly!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Crafting these delectable cheeseburger egg rolls involves two main components: the crispy, flavorful egg rolls themselves and a creamy, tangy dipping sauce that complements them beautifully. While you can certainly serve them with any dip you prefer, my homemade Russian-style dressing is incredibly easy to make and truly elevates the experience. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Zesty Russian-Style Dipping Sauce:
- Sour Cream: This forms the creamy base of our dip. I typically use full-fat sour cream for the richest texture and flavor, but a reduced-fat version can also work effectively if that’s your preference.
- Ketchup: Adds a touch of sweetness and classic tomato flavor, reminiscent of a burger condiment. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking – sometimes a little extra ketchup brings out more of that vibrant tang!
- Relish: A crucial ingredient for that signature Russian dressing flavor. I recommend using sweet pickle relish, which provides a lovely balance of sweetness and acidity that cuts through the richness of the egg rolls.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the dip to perfection, enhancing all the individual flavors. Start with a pinch and adjust to your taste.
For the Flavorful Cheeseburger Egg Rolls:
- Oil for Cooking and Frying: You’ll need a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, for sautéing the onions, and a larger quantity of neutral oil (like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil) for deep frying the egg rolls to a beautiful golden crisp.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion adds aromatic depth and a subtle sweetness to the beef filling. While red onion offers a nice color and a slightly sharper flavor, yellow or white onions are perfectly suitable alternatives.
- Ground Beef: The heart of our cheeseburger filling. Opt for lean ground beef to minimize excess grease. If you’re using a fattier blend, be sure to thoroughly drain off any accumulated fat after cooking. For a lighter alternative, ground turkey or ground chicken can also be used, though they might alter the classic cheeseburger flavor slightly.
- Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is my top choice here. Its robust and distinct flavor truly shines through the filling, giving you that authentic cheeseburger taste. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like medium cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a cheddar-jack blend if you wish.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A powerful secret ingredient! Just a tablespoon of this savory sauce adds an incredible layer of umami and complexity, deepening the overall flavor profile of the beef mixture.
- Mustard: I prefer a grainy Dijon mustard for its texture and milder, more nuanced flavor, which perfectly complements the beef. Regular Dijon mustard works just as well. If you only have classic yellow mustard, reduce the amount by half as it has a stronger, more pungent flavor.
- Egg Roll Wrappers: These are the crispy vessels for our delicious filling! You can typically find them fresh in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Remember to keep them covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap when you’re not actively using them, as they can dry out quickly and become brittle.
- Sesame Seeds: An optional but highly recommended garnish! Sprinkling warm egg rolls with sesame seeds adds a delightful visual appeal and a subtle nutty flavor, mimicking the classic look of a sesame seed burger bun.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Creating these irresistible cheeseburger egg rolls is an enjoyable process, and by following these simple steps, you’ll have a batch of crispy, flavorful delights ready in no time. Let’s get cooking!
1. Prepare the Zesty Dipping Sauce:
Begin by preparing your delicious dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. Stir all the ingredients together until they are well blended and smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Once mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce while you prepare the egg rolls. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures it’s perfectly chilled when serving.
2. Cook the Flavorful Filling:
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until it softens and becomes translucent, releasing its sweet aroma. Next, add the ground beef to the skillet. Break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. If you notice a significant amount of fat, carefully drain it off. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the beef mixture to cool slightly for a few minutes. This cooling step helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and making the mixture greasy when mixed in. Once slightly cooled, stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and grainy Dijon mustard until well combined. The cheese will begin to soften and incorporate into the warm beef.
3. Master the Art of Wrapping Egg Rolls:
This step is crucial for perfectly sealed and crispy egg rolls. Lay one egg roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface, oriented like a diamond (with one point facing you and another pointing away). Dip your finger in a small bowl of water and lightly moisten the top two edges of the wrapper. This creates the “glue” that will seal your egg roll securely.
Place approximately 1/3 cup of the cooled cheeseburger filling in the center of the wrapper, closer to the point facing you.
To begin wrapping, take the bottom point of the diamond and fold it snugly up and over the filling, tucking it tightly. Ensure the filling is compact.
Next, fold in the left and right side corners towards the center, creating an envelope-like shape. Make sure these folds are also snug against the filling.
Finally, perform the “tuck and roll.” While holding the filling firmly in the middle, tightly roll the wrapper upwards towards the moistened top corner. The water on the edges will ensure a firm seal. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling until all your egg rolls are prepared.
4. Fry to Golden Perfection:
Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). You can test the temperature with a kitchen thermometer or by dropping a tiny piece of wrapper into the oil; it should sizzle immediately. Carefully place the wrapped egg rolls into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy egg rolls. Fry for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy. Since the filling is already cooked, you’re just looking for that perfect exterior crunch.
5. Finish and Serve:
Once golden, carefully remove the fried egg rolls from the oil using tongs and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This is the perfect moment to immediately sprinkle them with sesame seeds, if using, as they will stick best to the warm, slightly oily surface. Serve your piping hot Cheeseburger Egg Rolls alongside the chilled Russian-style dipping sauce. Enjoy this fun, savory twist on a classic!
Expert Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For optimal crispiness and even cooking, fry the egg rolls in small batches. Giving them enough space in the hot oil prevents the temperature from dropping too much and ensures a perfectly golden crust.
- Sesame Seed Timing is Key: If you’re using sesame seeds, sprinkle them immediately after the egg rolls come out of the hot oil. The residual heat and slight oiliness will help them adhere perfectly.
- Adjust Dipping Sauce Quantity: The recipe for the Russian dressing makes a generous amount. If you or your guests are light dippers, feel free to halve the sauce recipe to avoid waste.
- Serve Warm for Best Experience: Cheeseburger egg rolls are best enjoyed warm and crispy. If you’re not serving them immediately, place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet and keep them in a warm oven (around 150ºF – 200ºF or 65°C – 95°C) until ready to serve. This helps maintain their crispness.
- Customize Your Filling: Make these egg rolls truly your own! Add cooked, crumbled bacon to create delicious bacon cheeseburger egg rolls. Include finely diced pickles, jalapeños for a kick, or even extra cheese for an ooey-gooey center. A dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of garlic powder in the beef mixture can also enhance the flavor.
- Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the beef filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This saves time on the day you plan to serve, making assembly quicker and easier.
- Testing Oil Temperature: If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, you can test the oil’s readiness by dropping a tiny piece of egg roll wrapper or a pinch of flour into it. If it sizzles immediately and vigorously, the oil is ready.
Alternate Cooking Methods: Baked & Air Fryer Options
While deep-frying provides the ultimate crispy exterior, you can still enjoy these delicious cheeseburger egg rolls with less oil. Here are two fantastic alternative cooking methods for a lighter touch:
Baking Instructions:
If you prefer to bake your egg rolls, prepare them up to the wrapping stage as described above. Once wrapped, arrange the egg rolls in a single layer on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. This setup allows for even air circulation, promoting crispiness. Lightly spray the entire surface of each egg roll with nonstick cooking spray or brush with a thin layer of oil. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds at this point. Bake in a preheated oven at 375ºF (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through baking for even browning. Baked egg rolls will be less greasy but still wonderfully flavorful.
Air Fryer Instructions:
For a quick and easy method that yields impressive crispiness, the air fryer is an excellent choice. Prepare the egg rolls as usual. Before placing them in the air fryer basket, lightly brush the outsides of each wrapped egg roll with a thin layer of oil (this helps achieve that golden color and crisp texture). Arrange the egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other. You may need to cook them in batches. Air fry at 375ºF (190°C) for approximately 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Continue cooking until they are golden brown and perfectly crispy. The air fryer method results in a texture very close to fried, with significantly less oil.
Explore More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
If you loved these creative egg rolls, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful appetizer ideas from my kitchen:
- The Best Deviled Egg Recipe
- Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
- Irresistible BLT Dip
- Zesty Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
- Savory Sausage Stuffed Jalapeños
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
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Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
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Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 1 inch deep)
- 10 egg roll wrappers
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, ketchup, and pickle relish. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- Cook the Filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain any excess fat. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for a few minutes. Stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and grainy Dijon mustard until well combined.1 pound ground beef, Salt and pepper, 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- Prepare for Frying: In a separate heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350ºF (175°C).Vegetable oil
- Wrap the Egg Rolls: Lay one egg roll wrapper on a clean surface in a diamond shape, with a point facing you. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the top two edges of the wrapper. This acts as the sealant.10 egg roll wrappers
- Place about 1/3 cup of the cooled ground beef mixture in the bottom third of the wrapper. Fold the bottom point up and over the filling, tucking it snugly. Then, fold in the left and right side corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape. Finally, tightly roll the wrapper upwards towards the moistened top corner to seal the egg roll securely.
- Repeat this wrapping process for all remaining egg roll wrappers and filling.
- Fry the Egg Rolls: Once the oil is hot, carefully place the prepared egg rolls into the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches until golden brown and crispy on one side (about 3 minutes), then flip and cook the other side until uniformly golden.
- Remove the fried egg rolls with tongs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Immediately sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired, as they will adhere best while the egg rolls are hot. Serve warm with the chilled dipping sauce.1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided here is an estimate only. The exact values can vary based on specific brands and products used, as well as preparation methods. This information should be used as a general guide.
The nutritional value for the frying oil in this estimate is based on a retention of 10% after cooking. Actual retention can change based on factors like cooking time and oil temperature.
Recipe adapted from The Rachael Ray Show.