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Air Fryer Chicken Tapenade Egg Rolls

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Crispy homemade chicken tapenade egg rolls fried in the air fryer on a Polish pottery plate with green onions and a dish of balsamic vinegar from Gourmet Done Skinny

Air Fryer Chicken Tapenade Egg Rolls are crispy on the outside with tender savory black olive tapenade filling on the inside. They are super easy to make and you fry them in your air fryer -or bake them in your oven (see notes in recipe for oven directions). So delicious and so much healthier for you than traditional frying! Eat them by themselves or dip them in a good quality balsamic vinegar.

These healthy homemade chicken egg rolls were inspired by my recent trip to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Everything Food Conference. I was so excited to be part of a dinner put on by California Ripe Olives held at a restaurant called Table X. It was amazing with olives in every course! I enjoyed hearing the story of black olives and the California history of olives so much that I came home inspired to create a recipe using black olives. Though these egg rolls are stuffed with a non traditional egg roll filling, believe me, you’ll love this unique savory version!

Our California Ripe Olive Dinner Around Town started with the California Ripe Olive Amuse Bouche – stuffed blue cheese olive in a savory puff bread.

Next came the bread and salad. The California Ripe Olive Sourdough bread in the background was so hearty and delicious. We had other olive dishes as well including an olive oil cake and ice cream but the housemade burrata with Puffed California Ripe Olive Cracker, Citrus Roasted California Ripe Olives and Farm Greens was my absolute favorite of the evening!

At the dinner I was fortunate to meet a family of olive growers from Corning, California – The Curiel Family. I met Ed, Laura and Nicky – their daughter who is studying at UC Davis. I loved hearing their stories of olive farming and how they described olive harvest as something magical. It reminded me so much of all of my experiences with tea in India. So guess what? I’m traveling there to Corning, California in September with my youngest son to see the olive harvest. I can hardly wait!

I’ll be writing more about California Ripe Olives in the future after my trip but for now be sure and check out their website. You can read the stories of the growers, find more recipes and watch a video of how California ripe olives came to be. Very fascinating! Surprisingly, black olives are pretty low in calories. I’m amazed! And check out my Chicken Black Olive Tapenade Egg Rolls -recipe down below. You’ll love these delicious appetizers! Or eat two egg rolls with a salad for a complete meal!

How to Make Homemade Egg Rolls in Pictures:

A package of Won ton wrappers on top, and 2 different packages of egg roll wrappers in the middle and on bottom of picture from Gourmet Done Skinny

Check out the size difference between wonton wrappers (at the top) and egg roll wrappers (middle and bottom).

You can use either wrappers for this recipe. I prefer using the larger ones – the egg roll size because they roll fast and stay together better. If you use the won ton size, keep in mind, it will take longer to roll them because they are smaller and there are more of them. Also use more water around the edges to seal the wontons as well. Be sure to watch them in the fryer, you may need to adjust the frying time as well.

Roasted peppers, California black olives and capers on a granite counter from Gourmet Done Skinny

California black olives, Piquillo peppers (or you can use roasted red peppers), and capers (paid link) as well as fresh herbs make up this delicious black olive tapenade.

Food processor mixer bowl with black olives, roasted red peppers, basil, thyme, capers and artichokes on a granite counter top from Gourmet Done Skinny

Use a food processor (paid link) to chop and combine the ingredients for the black olive tapenade. It’s so much easier and faster than doing all of that chopping by hand.

A black non stick pan with cooked chicken and a wooden spoon from Gourmet Done Skinny

Cook the chicken in a non-stick pan. You can use breast pieces or thighs. For this recipe, chicken breasts are totally fine.

A large Polish pottery bowl with egg roll filling - green onions, cheese, tapenade from Gourmet Done Skinny

Combine egg roll ingredients and you’re ready to roll! Or wrap!

How to Fold and Air Fry Egg Rolls

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to fold egg rolls.

  1. Preheat your airfryer to 425°. I use the Breville Smart Oven Air (paid link), if you have a different air fryer, you may want to use a lower temperature and start with 395°. Air fryers are all different so you may need to experiment a bit first. Just fry a small batch at first to see what works best.

    Breville Smart Oven Air

  2. Place an egg roll wrapper on a cutting board (paid link) or flat surface with one of the points facing you. Add about 1/4 c. filling.

    Egg roll filling on a wrapper with red measuring cup and cup of water on a wooden board from Gourmet Done Skinny

  3. Roll up about 1/2 halfway.

    An egg roll wrapper with filling rolled partially half way on a wooden board from Gourmet Done Skinny

  4. Fold edges in. Dab top point with water.

    An egg roll wrapper with filling, sides folded in on a wooden board from Gourmet Done Skinny

  5. Finish rolling up and lay on an air fryer basket sprayed with oil. Spray egg rolls with oil.

    Finished egg rolls on an air fryer basket.

  6. Air fry until brown and crispy. I use the Breville Smart Oven Air (paid link) so I don’t need to turn them. They take about 11 minutes. If you have a different air fryer, turn them halfway through.

    Baked egg rolls in the Breville Smart Oven Air

  7. Enjoy! These Chicken Tapenade Egg Rolls are great dipped in a good quality balsamic vinegar if desired.

    Crispy delicious chicken tapenade egg rolls with balsamic vinegar on a Polish pottery plate with a blue napkin from Gourmet Done Skinny

Frequently Asked Questions about Egg Rolls:

Are egg rolls healthy for you?

These egg rolls are definitely healthier for you as they are made with chicken breasts and are fried in the air fryer or baked in the oven. You can eliminate the cheese in the recipe if you are looking to shave off more calories. As the recipe is written, these egg rolls have 4 Freestyle Smart Points per egg roll, which is pretty good considering the size.

Can you freeze egg rolls?

Yes, you can freeze egg rolls. The texture tends to be different when you freeze them, however. Of course they are best when made up, fried and eaten right away.

To freeze already cooked egg rolls: My favorite way to freeze them is to freeze them already cooked. Allow them to cool, then put them on a baking sheet (paid link) and “flash freeze” them until solid. Then transfer to plastic bags. When ready to reheat, place them frozen on a baking sheet (paid link) lined with parchment paper (paid link) in a preheated oven at 350° for about 15-20 minutes until thoroughly heated.

To freeze uncooked egg rolls: You can freeze them (raw) before frying, but definitely flash freeze them until solid on a baking sheet (paid link) lined with parchment separately so they don’t stick together. When ready to eat them, allow the egg rolls to come to room temperature before frying them.

Can you refrigerate uncooked egg rolls?

Yes, store them in a plastic bag, but try to use them within a day or two.

Can you refrigerate cooked egg rolls?

Yes, store them also in a plastic bag. Use them within 4 days. You can reheat them by baking them in the oven at 350° until hot or microwave until hot and refry in air fryer or broil for a minute or so in oven to crisp them up again.

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egg rolls on a plate with balsamic vinegar

Air Fryer Chicken Tapenade Egg Rolls

Amy Lawrence
Air Fryer Chicken Tapenade Egg Rolls are crispy on the outside with tender savory black olive tapenade filling on the inside. They are super easy to make and you fry them in an air fryer or bake them in your oven.  So delicious and so much healthier for you than traditional frying! Eat them by themselves or dip them in a good quality balsamic vinegar.  The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, then reheated/air fried until hot. See notes at bottom of recipe.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine Misc
Servings 23 egg roll
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb. chicken thighs or breasts cut in cubes
  • 1 6 oz can California black olives drained
  • 4-6 piquillo peppers or roasted red peppers in water, drained
  • 1 can artichokes in water drained
  • 1 T. capers drained and rinsed
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 T. fresh basil
  • 1 T. fresh lemon thyme or regular thyme
  • 1 T. fresh oregano
  • 1 T. extra virgin olive oil use a good quality one
  • 3 green onions
  • 2 T. olive oil mayonnaise
  • 1 c. part skim mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 c. parmesan cheese grated

Instructions
 

  • In a food processor, lightly pulse until chopped: black olives, peppers, artichokes, capers, garlic, basil, thyme and oregano. Add salt to taste.  
  • With food processor on, gradually add oil. Pulse lightly.
  • Rinse and chop green onions (not too fine).
  • Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, trim fat if using thighs.
  • Spray a non-stick skillet with oil from oil sprayer. Heat on medium high heat.
  • Add chicken pieces, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook until done, mostly no longer pink about 165°. Drain well.
  • In a large bowl, combine, chicken, olive mixture, mayonnaise, green onions, and cheeses. 
  • Preheat air fryer to 425° if you have a Breville Smart Oven Air. If you have a different fryer, start with 395°, fry a small batch and see how that works. If you want to bake them in the oven, see notes below. 
  • Place an egg roll wrapper on a cutting board or flat surface with one of the points facing you. (Refer to pictures in post to see how to roll/wrap them.)
  • Add about 1/4 cup of chicken mixture.
  • Roll up about 1/2 halfway, fold edges in.
  • Place a dab of water on the top point.  Finish rolling up egg roll. Dab a little water on the outside point so that it sticks to the egg roll.
  • Spray air fry basket with oil. Place egg rolls in basket, spray with oil, turn over and spray again.
  • Air fry for about 8-11 minutes depending on your air fryer.  With my Breville Smart Oven Air, I can do the egg rolls in 2 batches and I don't have to turn them halfway through. It takes mine about 11 minutes total. On other air fryers, watch them and adjust the time if needed. Turn them halfway through baking.
  • Enjoy! Dip in a good quality balsamic vinegar.

Notes

Be careful not to tear any holes in the egg roll wrappers when handling them.
Always cover egg roll wrappers with a damp paper towel before frying so they do not dry out.
Store uneaten egg rolls in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can reheat them by baking them in foil at 350° until hot or microwave them until hot, then broil or re air fry to make them crisp again. Obviously they are better right out of the air fryer but they do still taste good the next day if you reheat them.
To bake the egg rolls in the oven:  Preheat oven to 350°. Place egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with oil from oil sprayer. Bake for about 6-8 minutes on each side. Then spray again after you turn them. They won't be as brown and crispy as the ones pictured using the air fryer but they will still taste great!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 19.2gProtein: 10.9gFat: 2.5gSaturated Fat: 0.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 26.6mgSodium: 283.4mgPotassium: 143.9mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 11.7IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1.5mg
Keyword air fried egg rolls
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