Last updated on August 12th, 2026
Got a bag of frozen lumpia sitting in the freezer and don’t feel like dragging out a pot of hot oil? The air fryer handles it just fine, no thawing, no splatter, and a lot less to clean up afterward. The trick is getting the temperature, timing, and oil right so the wrapper actually crisps up instead of coming out pale or dry. Here’s exactly how to do it!
Can You Air Fry Lumpia Straight From Frozen?
Yes. You don’t need to thaw it first.
The air fryer’s hot circulating air defrosts the lumpia in the first minute or two of cooking, then cooks it through evenly from there.
Deep frying frozen food is actually risky because of how it interacts with hot oil, so air frying is one of the safer and more practical options when you’re starting from frozen.
Why Air Fry Instead of Deep Fry?
- Less mess. No pot of hot oil to deal with or dispose of afterward.
- Faster cleanup. A quick wipe of the basket instead of scrubbing grease off a pan.
- Safer around kids. No open pot of hot oil sitting on the stove.
- Comparable crispiness. It won’t be identical to deep-fried, but done right, it gets close.
The main tradeoff is that air fryer batches are smaller, so you may need to cook in rounds if you’re feeding a crowd.
What Temperature Should You Use?
| Situation | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Standard setting | 375°F |
| Extra cautious / thinner wrappers | 350°F |
| Air fryer runs cool | 380-385°F |
375°F is the sweet spot for most air fryers. It’s hot enough to crisp the wrapper without drying out the filling before the middle is fully cooked. If you go with 350°F instead, just plan on a longer cook time (more on that below).
How Long Does It Take?
Frozen lumpia takes longer than fresh, but it’s still a quick process:
- At 375°F: about 15 minutes
- At 350°F: closer to 20 minutes
Either way, check for doneness around the halfway mark and adjust from there. Every air fryer runs a little differently.
What You’ll Need
- An air fryer (a 4-quart basket fits roughly 12-13 lumpia rolls in a single layer)
- Frozen lumpia
- Oil of your choice (avocado, canola, or vegetable oil all work well)
- A pastry or basting brush, or an oil sprayer
- A food thermometer (optional, but useful if you want to double-check the filling is fully cooked)
A Note on the Oil
This is the step that’s easy to skip but shouldn’t be: lightly coat the lumpia with oil before it goes in the fryer. Frozen lumpia wrappers don’t have any oil on them the way they would if they’d just come out of a fryer, so without added oil they can turn out pale, dry, or unevenly crisp.
Use a brush or an oil sprayer to apply a thin, even coat over the outside of each roll before cooking. Don’t drown them, a light film is all you need. If you’re using a spray bottle, one or two passes per side is plenty. Skip aerosol cooking sprays if your air fryer basket has a nonstick coating, since the propellants in some sprays can wear it down over time. A refillable oil mister works better for this.
How to Air Fry Frozen Lumpia
- Separate the rolls. Take the lumpia out of the freezer bag. If any are stuck together, let them sit out for about 30 minutes so they loosen up enough to pull apart without tearing the wrappers.
- Coat with oil. Lightly brush or spray each roll with oil on all sides.
- Arrange in the basket. Place the lumpia in a single layer with a little space between each roll. Don’t stack or overlap them, air needs to circulate around every piece for even cooking.
- Set the temperature. Preheat if your air fryer has that function, then set it to 375°F (or 350°F if you’re going the slower route).
- Cook, then flip. Air fry for about 10 minutes, then open the basket and flip each roll (or give the basket a good shake).
- Finish cooking. Continue for another 5-10 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark.
- Crisp up if needed. If the wrappers aren’t as golden as you’d like, bump the temperature up to 375°F and cook for another 3-5 minutes. This keeps the outside crisping up without overcooking the filling.
Let the lumpia rest for a minute or two before serving. This gives the filling a chance to settle so it doesn’t scald your mouth on the first bite.
Serving Suggestions
Lumpia pairs well with a dipping sauce and something else crispy on the side. A few easy combos:
- Sweet and sour sauce or vinegar-garlic dip (try La Choy Sweet n’ Sour sauce)
- Air fryer curly fries or frozen fries
- A side of steamed rice for a full meal
Check These Helpful Lumpia Videos!
While this video by Lady Shake And Bake doesn’t show you the entire process from how to make, freeze, and fry your lumpia, it is an excellent visual guide for air frying any lumpia from frozen.
Like many other lumpia frying videos and recipes I stumbled across, this one uses the 4 quart Ninja air fryer.
If you’re interested in making lumpia yourself for this recipe, this video by Ono Hawaiian Recipes has a wonderful Hawaiian version.
While there is no universal way to make lumpia, this recipe by It’s Judy’s Life uses more ingredients typical of Filipino lumpia rolls.
Air Frying Lumpia – Is It As Good As Deep Frying?
The texture may not always be the exact same as it would deep-fried, if you cook your lumpia right in your air fryer it’ll come out just as crispy.
Furthermore, it’s pretty much your only option if you’re making lumpia from frozen. This is because deep frying frozen food is unsafe, and other options like ovens won’t get your lumpia anywhere as crispy as an air fryer.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, I’d say that air frying lumpia is definitely worth it! While it may suit some lifestyles extra well, air frying remains an easy, convenient option for everyone.
And, luckily enough, it works pretty well for frozen lumpia!
FAQs
Can you air fry frozen lumpia?
Yes, and it’s in fact possibly the safest way to cook frozen lumpia.
Can I cook lumpia without a deep fryer?
Yes, you can use either an air fryer, or simply fry it in a pan (as long as it’s submerged in oil).
Do I need to thaw lumpia before air frying?
No. Cook it straight from frozen. The air fryer handles the thawing and cooking in one step.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
Pan frying works too, as long as the lumpia is fully submerged in oil so it cooks evenly. It won’t be as hands-off as an air fryer, but it gets the job done.
Why did my lumpia come out dry or pale?
This usually means it wasn’t coated in oil before cooking, or the temperature was too high without enough oil to protect the wrapper. Go back and lightly oil each roll before it goes in the basket.
How do I know the filling is fully cooked?
If you’re unsure, use a food thermometer. The filling should reach at least 165°F in the center. When in doubt, add a few extra minutes rather than serving it undercooked.
Your instructions do not say what to do with the oil.
Thanks for pointing this out! I’ve fixed it now, apologies!