Tinis Mac and Cheese Rolls (Print View)

Air-fried lumpia rolls with creamy mac and cheese filling, perfect for flavorful fusion appetizers or snacks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 7 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

→ Lumpia Rolls

10 - 16 lumpia wrappers or spring roll wrappers
11 - 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
12 - Cooking spray or a small amount of neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in whole milk, cooking until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and smooth.
05 - Add salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if desired, stirring to incorporate.
06 - Fold cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until evenly coated, then let cool for 10 to 15 minutes until firm enough to handle.
07 - Place a lumpia wrapper on a clean surface, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of mac and cheese near the bottom edge, fold sides over filling, roll tightly, and seal edge with beaten egg. Repeat for remaining wrappers.
08 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
09 - Lightly spray or brush rolls with oil and arrange in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
10 - Cook rolls for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
11 - Serve warm with optional condiments such as ketchup, sriracha, or cheese dipping sauce.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The wrapper gets so crisp in the air fryer that every bite crackles, while the inside stays creamy and gooey.
  • You can prep a batch ahead, freeze them uncooked, and air-fry straight from frozen whenever you need a quick snack.
  • Kids and adults both reach for seconds, making it perfect for parties or game nights.
  • It uses simple pantry staples and comes together in under an hour from start to finish.
02 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool completely before rolling or the heat will soften the wrappers and make them tear.
  • Dont overfill the wrappers or theyll burst open in the air fryer and leak cheese everywhere.
  • If the wrappers dry out and crack while youre rolling, cover the unused ones with a damp towel to keep them pliable.
  • Flip the rolls halfway through air-frying so both sides crisp evenly and turn the same golden color.
03 -
  • Roll the lumpia as tightly as you can without tearing the wrapper so the filling stays compact and doesnt leak.
  • If you dont have an air fryer, you can bake them at 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half uncooked so you always have a quick snack ready to air-fry on busy days.
  • Brush the wrappers with a little melted butter instead of oil for an extra rich, golden crust.
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