If you're a fan of all things philly cheesesteak and love crispy handheld bites, these air fryer Philly cheesesteak egg rolls are going to blow your mind. This recipe takes all the iconic flavors of a classic philly cheese steak — juicy beef, gooey cheese, and savory sautéed peppers and onions — and wraps them into a golden, crunchy egg roll shell. The best part? These are made in the air fryer, making them a lighter option that's still indulgent enough to impress your taste buds. It's like a mashup of your favorite cheesesteak recipe and your obsession with crispy appetizers — and they make the perfect homemade cheesesteak dinner or party snack.
Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 32 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Asian
Air fryer A must for getting that golden-brown crunch without deep frying. Any model with a basket-style design works great.
Skillet Use a non-stick or cast iron skillet to cook the filling evenly.
Spatula For breaking up and stirring the ground beef.
Mixing bowl To combine and cool the filling before wrapping.
Tongs Helpful for flipping egg rolls in the air fryer if needed.
Pastry brush or spoon To apply egg wash to seal the wrappers.
- 1 pound ground beef you can also use shaved ribeye for a more traditional feel, but ground beef gives it a fun, easy philly cheese steak vibe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 small green bell pepper diced
- 1 small red bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional for extra flavor
- 6 slices provolone cheese chopped into small pieces or shredded
- 12 egg roll wrappers
- 1 egg beaten (for sealing)
- Cooking spray for air fryer
- philly cheesesteak sauce for dipping (or substitute with cheese sauce or even ranch for variation)
Prepare the Filling
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and both bell peppers. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften and caramelize — this gives you that classic philly cheese steak peppers profile.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine and let everything simmer for a minute or two. Remove from heat.
Let the mixture cool slightly before folding in the chopped provolone. The cheese should start to melt into the warm filling, turning it into something reminiscent of a philly cheesesteak dip — rich, cheesy, and irresistible.
Assemble the Egg Rolls
Place an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface with a corner pointing toward you, like a diamond.
Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of the cheesesteak filling into the center.
Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the sides. Roll up tightly and seal the top corner with a bit of beaten egg.
Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling. You should get about 12 rolls.
Air Fry the Egg Rolls
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the egg rolls in a single layer, not touching (you may need to cook in batches).
Spray the tops of the egg rolls with a little cooking spray for that golden finish.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
Let them cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Pairings
These egg rolls are super versatile and can be paired with a variety of dips and side dishes:
- Dipping Sauces: Serve with warm philly cheesesteak sauce, spicy mayo, or even ranch dressing. A homemade cheese sauce with a bit of horseradish can also elevate the flavor.
- Side Salad: A crisp green salad or coleslaw offers a fresh balance to the richness. Try tossing some arugula with lemon vinaigrette for a zippy contrast.
- Potato Wedges or Fries: Go all in on comfort food with a side of baked fries or seasoned sweet potato wedges.
- Soup: A bowl of tomato basil soup or roasted pepper soup makes a warm, cozy pairing for these crispy egg rolls.
FAQs
1. Can I use steak instead of ground beef?
Absolutely. While this recipe focuses on a philly cheese steak with ground beef, thinly sliced ribeye is more traditional and offers a tender, steakhouse-like feel. Be sure to cook it quickly and slice it thin across the grain.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the egg rolls and refrigerate them (uncooked) for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, just pop them in the air fryer. You can also freeze them raw for up to 3 months — just add 3-4 extra minutes to the cook time if air frying from frozen.
3. What kind of cheese works best?
Provolone is the classic choice for a philly cheese steak recipe, but you can mix it up with mozzarella, white American, or even a cheese blend. If you're going for a dip-style flavor, melt some cream cheese into the filling for a philly cheesesteak dip twist.
4. Can I make these with chicken?
Definitely. Substituting ground chicken or sliced grilled chicken gives you a chicken cheesesteak version that’s lighter and just as flavorful. Add extra garlic and a touch of hot sauce to kick it up a notch.
5. Are these healthy?
Compared to deep-fried versions, these air fryer egg rolls are a lighter option. They use less oil and can easily be part of your health dinner recipes rotation when paired with a veggie-packed side dish or salad.
