Crispy Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls with Creamy Ranch Dip
Get ready to elevate your snack game with these irresistible Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls. Each golden-brown bite is bursting with savory flavors, perfectly complemented by a creamy homemade ranch dipping sauce. Ideal for any gathering, from casual get-togethers to game-day parties, these unique and vibrant egg rolls are sure to be the star of the show and disappear in record time!
The Irresistible Allure of Homemade Egg Rolls
There’s something truly captivating about a perfectly fried, golden-brown egg roll. The satisfying crunch of the crispy wrapper that gives way to a warm, richly flavored filling is an experience that few can resist. When it comes to crafting a unique and memorable snack that truly stands out, I consistently find myself drawn to the endless culinary possibilities that homemade egg rolls offer. What’s truly remarkable about these handheld delights is their incredible versatility; you can practically fill them with anything your imagination can conjure, transforming them into a savory appetizer, a hearty light meal, or even an unexpected sweet dessert.
Over the years, my kitchen has become a vibrant testing ground for all sorts of creative egg roll concoctions. I’ve ventured far and wide with fillings, from savory blends featuring grilled vegetables and various gourmet cheeses to surprisingly delightful sweet combinations like mixed berries and luscious cream cheese. Each culinary experiment consistently proves that the humble egg roll wrapper is a magnificent canvas for true culinary creativity. However, amidst all these experiments, certain combinations rise to the top, becoming instant, cherished favorites, and the recipe we’re about to dive into today is undeniably one of them. It masterfully combines fresh, vibrant ingredients with a comforting, savory base, all expertly enveloped in that signature, satisfyingly crispy exterior.
Table of Contents
Toggle
Avocado: A Game Changer in Egg Rolls
My genuine dive into the realm of creative egg roll fillings truly began about four years ago, inspired by the creation of my Southwestern Avocado Egg Rolls. This particular recipe was a delicious riff on the popular avocado egg rolls found at a certain beloved chain restaurant across the U.S. It marked my very first time incorporating fresh, creamy avocado into egg rolls that I made right at home, and the revelation was profound! Avocado, with its uniquely rich, smooth texture and subtly earthy, nutty flavor, proved to be an absolutely ideal ingredient. It adds a luxurious mouthfeel and a refreshing layer of brightness that elevates the entire dish, ensuring a delightful contrast to the crispy wrapper.
The resounding success of those Southwestern egg rolls firmly cemented my belief that avocado is a truly magical ingredient for this type of savory snack. Its inherent creaminess provides a fantastic counterpoint to the satisfying crispness of the fried wrapper, and its mild yet distinct flavor creates a wonderful base that allows other robust ingredients to shine through without being overwhelmed. This newfound appreciation for avocado in egg rolls directly paved the way for the development of the recipe we are celebrating today. These Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls capture that same incredible avocado essence but brilliantly combine it with a new, equally tantalizing and complex set of flavors, making them an instant and enduring favorite in my kitchen.
The Perfect Flavor Marriage: Avocado, Sun-Dried Tomato, Chicken, and Cheese
These crispy fried egg rolls are nothing short of a culinary masterpiece, offering a delightful symphony of flavors and contrasting textures in every single bite. Picture this: a vibrant, harmonious medley of fresh, creamy avocado, tender, savory shredded chicken, intensely tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and rich, melting Monterey Jack cheese. All these magnificent ingredients are meticulously blended with a thoughtful selection of seasonings, each chosen to highlight and enhance their unique characteristics. The resulting combination is simply divine – the inherent creaminess of the avocado beautifully balances the slight chewiness of the chicken, while the concentrated umami and sweet-tart notes of the sun-dried tomatoes provide a powerful flavor punch. The melty, mild goodness of the cheese ties everything together, creating an unforgettable and utterly addictive flavor experience that will have you reaching for another before the first one is even finished.
My current obsession with the dynamic duo of avocado and sun-dried tomatoes extends far beyond just egg rolls; I’ve been frequently enjoying them on my morning avocado toast, often crowned with a perfectly fried egg. The combination is so incredibly good and satisfying, and it sparked a culinary thought: why not take these fantastic, beloved flavors and artfully wrap them up inside a delightful, golden-brown, crispy egg roll? The outcome, I assure you, is pure culinary genius! The robust, savory notes of the chicken, expertly combined with the velvety avocado and the sweet-tart intensity of the sun-dried tomatoes, collectively create a filling that is both dynamic and incredibly addictive. It’s a flavor profile that speaks to comfort, freshness, and indulgence all at once, making these egg rolls truly special.
The thoughtful addition of tender, cooked shredded chicken and creamy Monterey Jack cheese goes beyond merely enhancing the flavor; it introduces a substantial and heartier element to these already delightful egg rolls. This means they are not only fantastic as a crowd-pleasing snack or a sophisticated appetizer for your next party but can also effortlessly serve as a light yet deeply satisfying meal on their own. Imagine presenting these savory delights for a casual lunch, a quick weeknight dinner, or as a flavorful component of a larger spread – their versatility allows them to fit seamlessly into numerous dining occasions. Every single ingredient plays a pivotal role, contributing to a perfectly balanced, utterly delicious, and incredibly satisfying culinary experience that is guaranteed to leave everyone reaching for more.
The Essential Creamy Ranch Dipping Sauce
No truly exceptional egg roll experience is ever complete without the perfect dipping companion, and for these Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls, a velvety, tangy homemade ranch dip is an absolute, non-negotiable must-have. This isn’t just any dip; it’s truly the “icing on the cake” for these savory, crispy delights. It introduces a bright, zesty, and herbaceous counterpoint that perfectly cuts through the richness of the fried exterior and the savory, hearty filling. This creamy concoction adds an indispensable depth of flavor and a refreshing coolness that meticulously ties all the complex elements of the egg roll together beautifully, creating a perfectly balanced and harmonious bite every single time.
Opting to make your own ranch dip from scratch allows you unparalleled control over the freshness, quality, and intensity of the flavors, resulting in a significantly superior experience compared to any store-bought alternative. The exquisite blend of creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, bright fresh lemon juice, and a thoughtfully selected array of dried herbs like dill, parsley, and chives, alongside aromatic garlic and onion powder, culminates in a truly irresistible accompaniment. Once you have the pleasure of dipping one of these warm, exquisitely crispy egg rolls into this cool, vibrant, and incredibly flavorful ranch, you will instantly understand why it’s simply impossible to stop at just one! Your taste buds will thank you for this incredible pairing.
And if you’re a fan of exploring different, exciting egg roll flavors, I highly recommend you don’t miss out on these equally delicious Thai Turkey Avocado Egg Rolls for another unique and delightful culinary twist!
Must-Have Equipment for Perfect Egg Rolls
To ensure your homemade Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls turn out flawlessly crispy, golden-brown, and utterly delicious every time, having the right kitchen tools at your disposal makes a remarkable difference. These are the essential items I highly recommend for a smooth and successful cooking experience:
- Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife: A reliable and sturdy organic bamboo cutting board paired with a sharp chef’s knife are indispensable for efficiently prepping all your ingredients. This includes precisely dicing your ripe avocados, finely chopping the sun-dried tomatoes, and shredding your cooked chicken. Precision in your cuts ensures an even distribution of the flavorful ingredients within each egg roll.
- Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: For deep frying, I personally favor using a Dutch oven. Its heavy construction is exceptional at maintaining a consistent oil temperature, which is an absolutely crucial factor for achieving uniformly golden and exquisitely crispy egg rolls without them becoming greasy. However, any large, heavy-bottomed pot will also work effectively to provide stable heat.
- Spider Strainer: This specialized tool will quickly become your best friend when it’s time to safely retrieve your freshly fried egg rolls from the hot oil. Its wide, open-mesh basket allows excess oil to drain away rapidly and efficiently, playing a vital role in ensuring your egg rolls remain perfectly crisp and light, rather than oily.
- Large Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two: one generously sized bowl for preparing and mixing the delightful egg roll filling, and another medium-sized bowl for whisking together the ingredients for your creamy homemade ranch dip.
- Small Bowl with Cold Water: An essential item for lightly moistening and effectively sealing the edges of your egg roll wrappers, preventing them from opening during frying.
- Paper Towels or Wire Rack: Absolutely necessary for draining any residual excess oil from the egg rolls immediately after frying. Placing them on paper towels or a wire rack set over paper towels is key to maintaining their desirable crispness.
If you’re eager to try even more exciting and unique egg roll variations, next up, I highly recommend giving these savory and boldly flavored Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls a whirl! They’re another crowd-pleaser waiting to be discovered.
Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls
equipment
-
Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
-
Dutch Oven
ingredients
Ranch Dip:
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Dill
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Chives
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Milk
Egg Rolls:
- 4 Avocados peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/2 cup Cooked Shredded Chicken
- 1/3 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1/3 cup Sundried Tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 12 Egg Roll Wrappers
instructions
Ranch Dip Instructions:
-
To make the ranch dip, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dried dill weed, dried parsley, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, fresh lemon juice, and milk in a medium bowl. Whisk all ingredients together until thoroughly combined and smooth. Cover and refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully meld and deepen, or until you are ready to serve.
Egg Roll Instructions:
-
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the diced avocado, cooked shredded chicken, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and ground cayenne pepper. Mix all ingredients carefully to ensure they are well combined without overly mashing the delicate avocado.
-
Prepare your workspace by having a small bowl of cold water ready for sealing and a clean, flat surface designated for rolling the egg rolls.
-
To wrap each egg roll, place one wrapper on your clean surface so that one of its corners is pointing directly towards you, forming a diamond shape. Dip your fingers in the cold water and lightly moisten all four edges of the egg roll wrapper. Spoon about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of the avocado chicken filling into the center of the wrapper, near the corner closest to you.
-
Lift the bottom corner of the wrapper up and over the filling, tucking it snugly underneath as you begin to roll away from yourself. Once you have rolled approximately halfway up the wrapper, fold in the left side, and then the right side, towards the center. Continue rolling away from you until only the final top corner of the diamond remains.
-
Dip your fingers in the water once more and brush it over the final top corner of the wrapper. Complete the roll, pressing firmly to seal the seam tightly. It is absolutely crucial to roll the egg rolls as tightly as possible; any loose rolls are prone to unraveling and falling apart when they are fried. Place each finished egg roll seam-side down on a plate. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling until all are assembled.
-
To fry the egg rolls, fill a heavy-bottomed pot (such as a Dutch oven) with about 4-5 inches of your preferred cooking oil. Heat the oil to a precise temperature of 350˚F (175˚C). Use a cooking thermometer to ensure accuracy. Carefully and gently add the prepared egg rolls to the hot oil, frying them in small batches of no more than 3 or 4 at a time to prevent overcrowding, which can significantly drop the oil temperature and lead to greasy egg rolls. Turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning.
-
Fry the egg rolls until they are beautifully golden brown and delightfully crispy on all sides, which typically takes approximately 2 minutes per batch. Once fried to perfection, carefully remove them from the hot oil using a spider strainer and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack set over paper towels. This crucial step allows any excess oil to drain away, which is essential for maintaining their exquisite crispness.
-
Serve your Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls immediately while they are hot and at their peak crispness, alongside the chilled homemade ranch dip for the ultimate, most flavorful experience. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Tips for Perfectly Crispy Egg Rolls
Achieving that coveted golden-brown crispness is absolutely key to creating phenomenal egg rolls that everyone will rave about. Here are some essential pro tips and tricks to help you master the art of egg roll frying and ensure a perfectly crispy outcome every single time:
- Don’t Overfill: While the delicious filling is tempting, it’s crucial to resist the urge to overstuff your egg rolls. Overfilling them can make them incredibly difficult to roll neatly and securely, and more importantly, it significantly increases their susceptibility to bursting open during the frying process. Stick to the recommended 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of filling per wrapper.
- Roll Tightly and Neatly: A tightly rolled egg roll is a happy and successful egg roll! Loose wrappers are far more likely to absorb an excessive amount of oil, resulting in a greasy product, or worse, they can easily unravel and fall apart in the hot oil. Ensure each fold is snug and firm, gently squeezing out any air pockets as you meticulously roll, creating a compact and secure package.
- Ensure Proper Sealing: Water is your best friend when it comes to sealing egg roll wrappers. Make certain that all edges of the wrapper are adequately moistened. This creates a strong, invisible adhesive seal that is robust enough to hold up beautifully in the high heat of the frying oil, preventing any delicious filling from escaping.
- Oil Temperature is Crucial: The temperature of your frying oil is perhaps the most critical factor. Always use a reliable kitchen thermometer to maintain a steady and consistent oil temperature of 350˚F (175˚C). If the oil is too cool, the egg rolls will become heavy and greasy. If it’s too hot, they will quickly burn on the outside before the internal filling has a chance to warm through properly, leading to an unevenly cooked result.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pot: Resist the temptation to fry too many egg rolls at once. Always fry in small batches (ideally 3-4 egg rolls at a time) to prevent the oil temperature from dropping too significantly. This careful approach ensures consistent crispness across all your egg rolls and allows each one to fry evenly to a beautiful golden perfection.
- Drain Thoroughly: Immediately after removing the fried egg rolls from the hot oil, transfer them to a plate generously lined with paper towels or, even better, to a wire rack set over paper towels. This crucial step allows any residual excess oil to drain away efficiently, which is absolutely essential for preventing them from becoming soggy and for maintaining their wonderfully crisp texture.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
While the creamy, tangy homemade ranch dip is an absolute match made in heaven for these crispy egg rolls, don’t hesitate to unleash your culinary creativity and experiment with other serving options! These Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of flavors. Consider serving them with a side of sweet chili sauce for an irresistible spicy-sweet kick that adds another layer of complexity, or even a simple squeeze of fresh lime juice to further enhance the vibrant brightness of the avocado and add a zesty tang. For those looking to make a more substantial meal out of them, these egg rolls pair wonderfully with a light, crisp side salad, a comforting bowl of hot tomato soup, or even a fresh coleslaw.
Feeling adventurous and ready to explore new taste sensations? Here are some fantastic ideas for delicious variations to try:
- Spicier Kick: For those who love a bit more heat, simply add an extra pinch of ground cayenne pepper to the filling mix, or incorporate a dash of your favorite hot sauce to really amp up the spice level.
- Cheese Please: Don’t limit yourself to Monterey Jack! Feel free to experiment with other shredded cheeses to customize the flavor. Try pepper jack for an extra burst of spice, sharp cheddar for a bolder, more pungent taste, or even a smoked provolone for a unique smoky note.
- Vegetarian Option: Easily transform this recipe into a delightful vegetarian dish by omitting the shredded chicken. Instead, replace it with hearty additions like seasoned black beans, sweet corn kernels, sautéed mushrooms, or even crumbled firm tofu for a satisfying plant-based alternative.
- Air Fryer Option: For a slightly healthier twist that still delivers incredible crispness, you can certainly try air frying these egg rolls! Lightly spray the assembled egg rolls with cooking oil spray on all sides, then air fry them at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 10-15 minutes, making sure to flip them halfway through, until they are beautifully golden and wonderfully crispy.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Should you miraculously find yourself with any leftover egg rolls (a rare occurrence, I must warn you, as they tend to disappear quickly!), they can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To bring them back to their optimal crispiness and delicious warmth, I highly recommend reheating them using either an air fryer or a conventional oven. For an air fryer, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. If using an oven, preheat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are thoroughly heated through and have regained their delightful crisp exterior. It’s important to note that microwaving is not recommended, as it will regrettably make them soggy and detract from their texture. The homemade ranch dip can also be stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its freshness and flavor.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Appetizer
These Avocado Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Egg Rolls are so much more than just a simple snack; they represent a truly delightful culinary adventure waiting to unfold in your very own kitchen. By expertly combining the creamy richness of fresh avocado with savory shredded chicken, the tangy intensity of sun-dried tomatoes, and a melting, flavorful cheese filling, all encased within a perfectly crispy wrapper, and served with a vibrant, homemade ranch dip, this recipe promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Whether you’re planning to host a lively party, searching for a unique and impressive appetizer, or simply craving a deeply flavorful and satisfying bite to elevate your day, this recipe is guaranteed to deliver on all fronts. Prepare to impress both your own discerning taste buds and your delighted guests – these extraordinary egg rolls are poised to be a sensational and much-requested hit!