Crispy BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls with Zesty Avocado Crema: The Ultimate Game Day Appetizer
Get ready to satisfy your deepest snack cravings with these incredible BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls! Each bite delivers a delightful crunch, giving way to a warm, savory filling of spicy BBQ chicken and creamy avocado. And let’s not forget the velvety, dreamy avocado crema that perfectly complements every mouthful – it’s pure culinary bliss.
There’s nothing quite like a fantastic snack to elevate any afternoon, gathering, or game day. As someone who’s proudly earned the title of “snack queen” among my friends, I’m always on the hunt for delicious, crowd-pleasing bites. From loaded nachos to savory taquitos, my kitchen frequently churns out treats perfect for those leisurely afternoons. But among all my creations, these BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls have truly become a standout favorite, offering an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
When the sun is shining and temperatures are soaring, the desire for refreshing drinks often takes over. And with those drinks, you absolutely need robust and satisfying snacks to keep everyone happily fueled. Seriously, think about it: I’m taking tender BBQ chicken, fresh creamy avocado, wrapping it all up in a crispy egg roll, and then frying it to golden perfection. If that’s not a life-saving endeavor, I don’t know what is! These aren’t just snacks; they’re foundational layers of happiness for any social occasion.
The Irresistible Fusion: BBQ Chicken and Avocado
The magic of these egg rolls lies in the harmonious blend of BBQ chicken and avocado. Barbecue chicken, with its smoky, sweet, and tangy notes, provides a hearty and flavorful base. When paired with the cool, rich, and buttery texture of avocado, the contrast is simply divine. This combination alone is a culinary triumph, often found in sandwiches or salads, but I’ve found that elevating it into an egg roll takes it to an entirely new level. The original idea might have been a simple sandwich, but where’s the excitement in that?
Why Egg Rolls Make the Perfect Snack
While a BBQ chicken and avocado sandwich is certainly tasty, it often lacks that exciting textural dimension. What I truly crave is that satisfying, audible crunch with every single bite. This is precisely why the egg roll format is a game-changer for this flavor combination. Encasing the succulent chicken and creamy avocado in a crisp, golden-brown wrapper transforms a good idea into an extraordinary one. The act of frying adds an incredible depth of flavor and that much-desired crispy exterior that provides a delightful counterpoint to the soft, warm interior. It’s the ideal savory snack to have on hand for impromptu munching, or to proudly present as a show-stopping appetizer at your next backyard BBQ, tailgate party, or family get-together.
Crafting Your Perfect BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls
Making these egg rolls might seem like a gourmet task, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the incredible payoff in flavor and texture. Let’s break down the key steps to ensure your egg rolls are nothing short of spectacular.
Preparing the Flavorful Filling
The heart of these egg rolls is the delectable filling. Start with cooked, shredded chicken – leftover rotisserie chicken works wonders here for convenience. Combine it with your favorite barbecue sauce; I highly recommend a sweet and spicy variety like Sweet Baby Ray’s to give it an extra kick. Add a touch of buffalo wing sauce for another layer of heat and tang, and some shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy, melty component. Finally, gently fold in the chopped avocado. The trick here is to add the avocado last and fold it in carefully to maintain its creamy texture without over-mashing it. This creates a filling that is rich, savory, and perfectly balanced.
Mastering the Roll
Rolling egg rolls can feel intimidating, but with a little practice, you’ll be a pro. Start with your egg roll wrapper laid out like a diamond on a clean, flat surface. Moisten the edges with a cornstarch and water mixture (your “glue”) – this is crucial for a tight seal. Spoon a generous amount of filling (about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons) into the corner closest to you. Fold that bottom corner over the filling and tuck it in tightly as you roll away from yourself. Once you reach the halfway point, fold in the left and right corners towards the center, like an envelope. Continue rolling tightly until you reach the final corner, brush it with more cornstarch mixture, and seal. The key is to roll them as tightly as possible; a loose roll can lead to them unraveling during frying, which is something we definitely want to avoid!
Frying to Golden Perfection
Frying these egg rolls gives them their signature crispy texture. You’ll need a pot with 4-5 inches of cooking oil, heated to 350°F (175°C). It’s important to monitor the oil temperature to ensure they cook evenly without burning. Carefully add the egg rolls, frying in small batches of 3-4 at a time to prevent overcrowding the pot and dropping the oil temperature too much. Turn them occasionally until they are beautifully golden brown on all sides, usually about 2 minutes per batch. Once fried, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil, allowing them to cool slightly before serving. This step ensures maximum crispiness and avoids a greasy finish.
The Essential Avocado Crema
No BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Roll experience is complete without its perfect dipping companion: the creamy avocado crema. This vibrant, zesty sauce adds a refreshing coolness that beautifully contrasts the warmth and spice of the egg rolls. Made with fresh avocado, sour cream, a touch of milk, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, it’s quickly pureed to a smooth, dreamy consistency. This crema isn’t just a dipping sauce; it’s an integral part of the flavor profile, bringing all the elements together into a cohesive, unforgettable bite. Don’t skip it!
Make Ahead & Freezing Tips
One of the absolute best features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. If you find yourself with extra egg rolls (though I can’t imagine why that would happen, given how delicious they are!), you can easily freeze them for later enjoyment. Simply allow them to cool completely after frying, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready for another batch, there’s no need to thaw! Just pop them into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. They’ll emerge tasting as fresh and delicious as if they were just pulled from the fryer. Talk about a win-win situation!
Serving Suggestions & Occasions
These BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls are incredibly versatile. They are perfect for:
- Game Days: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any football or sports event.
- Party Appetizers: Elevate your next gathering with these unique and flavorful bites.
- Casual Dinners: Pair them with a fresh salad for a fun and exciting meal.
- Tailgating: Easy to transport and reheat, making them ideal for pre-game festivities.
- Afternoon Snacks: Indulge in a satisfying treat whenever hunger strikes.
Serve them warm, right out of the fryer (or oven, if reheating), with a generous side of the avocado crema for dipping. You can also offer a side of extra BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for additional dipping options.
Variations to Explore
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ideas to customize your egg rolls:
- Spicy Kick: Increase the amount of buffalo wing sauce or add some finely diced jalapeños to the filling.
- Cheese Please: Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a smoky Gouda for varied flavor profiles.
- Vegetarian Option: For a meat-free alternative, replace the chicken with shredded jackfruit cooked in BBQ sauce, or black beans and corn.
- Baking/Air Frying: For a lighter version, you can bake or air fry the egg rolls instead of deep frying. Brush them lightly with oil before baking at 400°F (200°C) until golden, or air fry according to your appliance’s instructions.
- Other Dipping Sauces: While the avocado crema is highly recommended, feel free to try other dips like cilantro lime sour cream, a sweet chili sauce, or even a simple ranch dressing.
So, friends, it’s time to start pinning this recipe for all your upcoming tailgating adventures this fall and winter, or simply for your next spontaneous snack attack. Get ready for some happy dunking!
table of contents
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Avocado Eggrolls with BBQ Chicken
equipment
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Utility Cutting Board
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Spider Strainer
ingredients
- 1 Avocado
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/3 cup Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 cups Cooked Shredded Chicken
- 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce Such as Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet & Spicy
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Buffalo Wing Sauce
- 1 Avocado Chopped
- 1/4 cup Cold Water
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 14 Egg Roll Wrappers
- Oil For frying
instructions
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In the bowl of a blender or food processor, puree the avocado, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper for the avocado crema until smooth. Set in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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In a large bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and hot sauce until well combined. Gently fold in the chopped avocado.
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In a small separate bowl, whisk together the cold water and cornstarch to create a slurry. Set aside; this will be your sealing agent.
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To wrap your egg rolls, prepare a clean, flat surface. Lay one egg roll wrapper so that one of its corners is facing directly towards you (like a diamond shape). Dip your fingers in the cornstarch water mixture and lightly spread it on all four edges of the egg roll wrapper.
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Spoon approximately 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the BBQ chicken and avocado filling into the center of the corner closest to you. Lift this bottom corner up and begin to roll it away from you, ensuring you tuck the corner firmly under the filling as you start. Once you’ve rolled about halfway up the wrapper, fold in the left side and then the right side towards the center, creating an enclosed package.
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Continue rolling away from you until only the final corner remains unrolled. Dip your fingers in the cornstarch and water mixture again and brush it over this last corner. Finish rolling tightly, then brush a little more of the cornstarch mixture along the seam to secure it. Place the finished egg roll seam-side down. Remember to roll them as tightly as possible; loose egg rolls may unravel during frying.
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To fry the egg rolls, fill a deep pot with 4-5 inches of cooking oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Carefully and gently add the prepared egg rolls to the hot oil, frying no more than 3 or 4 at a time to avoid overcrowding. Turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking. Fry until the egg rolls are beautifully golden brown and crispy on all sides, which typically takes about 2 minutes. Once done, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and cool slightly.
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Serve your hot, crispy BBQ Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls immediately with the chilled avocado crema. Enjoy!