Vegan Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe
This Vegan Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe features a warm spiced veggie, black bean, and cheese mixture wrapped up in tortillas and cooked to golden perfection. Served warm, they make for a quick and delicious perfect appetizer, snack, or plant-based main course!
What Are Southwest Egg Rolls?
Southwest Egg Rolls really probably shouldn’t be called egg rolls at all. They really have no ties to classic egg rolls or authentic Chinese spring rolls other than their shape.
Instead, they feature a Tex-Mex-inspired filling made with veggies, beans, cheese, and sometimes meat. Seasoned with warm spices, they’re super flavorful and incredibly easy to make!
They’re a favorite in our homes for everything from game day parties to weekday snacks, and our kids absolutely love them. Paired with a dipping sauce, they’re so tasty your picky guests won’t even realize they’re made with veggies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Black Beans – Use canned black beans, and make sure to rinse and drain them well. Otherwise, your rolls are likely to become soggy!
- Veggies – Red bell pepper, green onions, frozen corn, and frozen spinach enhance the savory flavor and add vitamins, nutrients, and fiber to the dish.
- Spices – Cayenne pepper, salt, ground cumin, and chili powder create a warm, savory flavor with just a hint of heat.
- Cheese – We love to use cheddar cheese, but any flavor you like best such as pepper jack cheese or even mozzarella will work! If you need these rolls to be dairy-free, opt for shredded dairy-free cheese.
- Tortillas – Use soft fajita-sized or taco-sized flour tortillas for easy rolling.
Recipe Variations
One of our favorite things about these Southwest egg rolls is how versatile they can be! Feel free to mix and match different fillings to make the flavor your own. Some of our favorite options include:
- Protein: Including taco meat, shredded cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or your favorite ground meat is a great way to add more protein.
- Swap the Tortillas: Use egg roll wrappers instead for a slightly more authentic egg roll taste.
- Include Grains: Cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa added to the filling helps make these rolls even more filling, almost like mini burritos!
- Veggies: Incorporate pico de Gallo, jalapeno peppers, or extra sautéed vegetables like onions or mushrooms for even more flavor and nutrients.
How to Make This Vegan Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe
- Sauté. Add the red bell pepper to a pan on the stove over medium high heat, and sauté until the veggies are tender. Then, add the black beans, corn, spinach, green onion, cayenne pepper, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Mix to combine, and let the ingredients warm through.
- Add the cheese. Sprinkle the cheese on top, and stir to combine and melt.
- Portion. Divide the filling ingredients into 12 even portions.
- Wrap the tortillas. Add one portion of the mixture to the end of a tortilla. Then, fold the sides in around the filling, and wrap.
- Repeat. Continue this process until all the filling has been wrapped in a tortilla.
- Cook. Arrange the egg rolls seam side down a single layer in an air fryer basket, working in batches as needed. There’s no need to use nonstick cooking spray! Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the egg rolls are lightly golden brown.
- Serve. Allow the rolls to cool slightly. Then, enjoy warm!
Serving Suggestions
We love to serve this recipe with Ranch dressing, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping! They’re great on their own but also pair well as an appetizer or side dish with recipes like:
- Easy Southwest Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Easy Beef Enchiladas with Green Sauce
- One Pot Easy Taco Soup
- High Protein Walking Tacos
Common Questions
Sure! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and arrange the southwest egg rolls in a single layer on a non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden, flipping the rolls over halfway through.
This recipe is best served right away. The tortillas tend to become soggy the longer they sit. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or air fryer when you’re ready to eat.
Yes! You can freeze this recipe for up to 6 months. To do so, arrange the rolls on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a sealable bag. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, or warm them in the oven from frozen.
Feel free to fry the egg rolls in vegetable oil in a deep pot on the stove. Bring the oil to a light boil, and add the egg rolls, cooking just until they’re golden. Then, remove them with a slotted spoon, and set them aside to drain on paper towels!
Vegan Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 1 heaping cup frozen spinach thawed and water pressed out with paper towels or 2 cups fresh spinach
- 3 green onions chopped
- 1/16-1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup plant based cheese or regular
- 12 6" soft fajita tortillas or 10- 6" taco tortillas (gluten free if needed)
Instructions
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper and sauté until the bell pepper is tender.1 red bell pepper
- Add in the black beans, corn, spinach, green onion, cayenne pepper, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Heat the mixture until hot.15 ounce can black beans, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 heaping cup frozen spinach, 3 green onions, 1/16-1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Stir in the shredded cheese until melted.1/2 cup plant based cheese
- Score the skillet of filling with a wooden spoon or spatula into 12 portions.
- Add 1/12 of the filling to one end of the tortilla and fold in the sides around the filling and roll the tortilla up to cover the filling with the entire tortilla. These will not be perfect. If it is easier, roll them up like taquitos with each end open, but make sure the filling is not falling out.12 6" soft fajita tortillas or 10- 6" taco tortillas
- Bake in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 400F or until egg rolls are slightly browned. There is not need to preheat the air fryer or spray the tortillas with oil. Do not overcrowd the egg rolls so they brown on all sides. This recipe may need to be done in 2-3 batches.
- Enjoy the egg rolls with ranch dressing, guacamole, or any dip of choice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Snacks and Appetizers
Did you enjoy this Vegan Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
All I can say is YUM!! Love that I can make these in my air fryer.