Tinis Mac Cheese Lumpia (Printable Version)

Crispy lumpia wrappers filled with creamy mac and cheese, air-fried until golden and perfect for sharing.

# What You 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 small amount of neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How To Make:

01 - Boil salted water and cook macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to create roux.
03 - Whisk in milk gradually, cooking until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Incorporate cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if desired.
05 - Stir cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until fully coated. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened enough to handle.
06 - Place a lumpia wrapper flat on a clean surface. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of mac and cheese near the bottom edge.
07 - Fold the sides over the filling then roll tightly. Brush the edge with beaten egg to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
08 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
09 - Lightly spray or brush the rolls with oil. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
10 - Air-fry for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
11 - Serve warm, optionally accompanied by ketchup, sriracha, or cheese dipping sauce.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • Turns leftover mac and cheese into something people will fight over at parties.
  • The wrappers get shatteringly crisp in the air fryer without any deep frying mess.
  • You can make them ahead and freeze them, then air-fry straight from frozen when friends show up.
02 -
  • If you don't let the mac and cheese cool enough before rolling, the wrappers will get soggy and tear when you try to fold them.
  • Don't overfill the rolls or the filling will burst out during air-frying, two to three tablespoons is the sweet spot.
  • Make sure the edges are sealed really well with egg wash, any gaps will let the cheese leak out and make a mess in the basket.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes sharper.
  • If your wrappers are drying out while you work, cover the stack with a damp towel to keep them pliable.
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket, give each roll space so the hot air can circulate and crisp every side evenly.
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