Tinis Mac and Cheese Lumpia (Printable Format)

Crispy lumpia rolls filled with creamy mac and cheese, air-fried until golden and perfect as a fusion appetizer.

# What's Needed:

→ 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 neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil 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 milk and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if desired.
05 - Stir cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated, then let cool for 10 to 15 minutes until thick enough to handle.
06 - Place one wrapper on a clean surface, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of mac and cheese near bottom edge, fold sides over filling, roll tightly and seal edge with beaten egg. Repeat with all wrappers.
07 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
08 - Lightly spray or brush rolls with oil and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
09 - Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp.
10 - Serve warm with optional ketchup, sriracha, or cheese dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Turns comfort food into handheld crunch without any deep fryer mess.
  • Uses up leftover mac and cheese in the most exciting way possible.
  • Keeps everyone guessing until that first bite.
02 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool completely or it will tear through the wrappers when you roll them.
  • Do not overfill the wrappers, or they will burst open in the air fryer and leak cheese everywhere.
  • Brush oil on the rolls instead of spraying if your air fryer runs hot, so they brown evenly without scorching.
03 -
  • Use day-old mac and cheese if you have it, because it is already cold and thick enough to roll without waiting.
  • Keep a damp towel over the unused wrappers so they do not dry out and crack while you are working.
  • Flip the rolls gently with tongs instead of a spatula to avoid tearing the crispy skin.
Return