The Best Reuben Egg Rolls (with Homemade Russian Dressing!)

Hello, my friends, and get ready for a recipe that is a true work of appetizer genius! If you are a fan of the iconic, savory, and tangy flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich, then you are going to be absolutely obsessed with this creative and incredibly delicious twist. These Reuben Egg Rolls are the ultimate party food, packing all that amazing flavor into a shatteringly crisp, golden-brown package.

Imagine a crispy, bubbly egg roll wrapper, stuffed with a perfect combination of savory, thinly sliced corned beef, gooey melted Swiss cheese, and tangy sauerkraut. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of crispy, cheesy, and savory. Served with a quick and zesty homemade Russian dressing for dipping, this is a showstopping appetizer that is guaranteed to be the talk of your next party, game day, or gathering.

Why You’ll Be Absolutely Obsessed With This Recipe

This is more than just an egg roll; it’s a flavor explosion in a crispy wrapper.

• A Brilliant Culinary Mashup: This recipe cleverly combines all the beloved, classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich into the fun, crispy, and dippable format of an egg roll.
• Incredibly Crispy & Satisfying: Whether you choose to shallow-fry or use your air fryer, the egg roll wrapper cooks up to a perfect, shatteringly crisp, golden-brown shell.
• The Perfect Balance of Flavors: The salty corned beef, the nutty Swiss cheese, the tangy sauerkraut, and the creamy, zesty Russian dressing create a perfectly balanced and incredibly addictive flavor profile.
• A True Showstopping Appetizer: A platter of these unique and delicious egg rolls is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will disappear in minutes.

Gather Your Simple, Flavorful Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This impressive appetizer is broken down into two delicious components: the egg rolls and the zesty Russian dressing.

For the Egg Rolls:

• 12 egg roll wrappers
• 12 oz. thinly sliced corned beef
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained well and patted dry
• 1 tsp. caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying or air-frying

For the Russian Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chili sauce
• 1 Tbsp. drained horseradish
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Crafting Your Reuben Egg Rolls: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s get rolling! The key to a perfect egg roll is a tight roll and a good seal.

1. Make the Russian Dressing: First, let’s make the dipping sauce so the flavors have time to meld. In a medium bowl, simply whisk together all the dressing ingredients: the mayonnaise, chili sauce, horseradish, vinegar, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.
2. Assemble the Egg Rolls: Lay one egg roll wrapper on your work surface in a diamond shape (with a point facing you). In the center, layer about 1 ounce of corned beef, 2 tablespoons of Swiss cheese, and a scant 2 tablespoons of the well-drained sauerkraut. Sprinkle with a pinch of caraway seeds, if using.

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1. Roll ‘Em Up: Brush the four edges of the wrapper with the beaten egg. Fold the left and right corners of the wrapper in toward the center. Fold the bottom corner up and over the filling. Then, roll the entire thing forward toward the remaining top corner to form a tight cylinder, like a burrito. Press the final edge to seal it securely. Repeat with all the wrappers.
2. To Pan-Fry (Classic Method): In a large cast-iron skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Working in batches, carefully fry the egg rolls, turning occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes, until they are a beautiful, deep golden brown and crispy on all sides. Transfer them to a wire rack to drain.

1. To Air-Fry (Lighter Method): Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Brush the assembled egg rolls with vegetable oil. Working in batches, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 7 minutes. Flip the egg rolls over, brush with a little more oil, and cook for another 5 minutes, until deeply golden and crispy.
2. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Reuben egg rolls hot and crispy with the chilled Russian dressing on the side for dipping.

Wise Tips for the Best Reuben Egg Rolls

• Dry Your Sauerkraut! This is the most important tip! Sauerkraut holds a lot of liquid, which can make your egg rolls soggy and cause them to burst. Make sure you drain it well and then pat it dry with paper towels.
• Don’t Overfill: It can be tempting to stuff the egg rolls, but overfilling will make them difficult to roll and more likely to leak during cooking.
• Roll Tightly and Seal Well: A tight roll and a good seal with the egg wash are crucial for keeping the filling inside and the oil outside.
• The Wire Rack is Key: Draining the fried egg rolls on a wire rack instead of paper towels allows air to circulate, keeping the bottom just as crispy as the top.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Reuben Egg Rolls

Can I make these ahead of time?
These are definitely at their crispiest and best when served fresh. However, you can assemble the uncooked egg rolls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze them. You can then fry or air fry them directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What kind of corned beef should I use?
Thinly sliced deli corned beef is perfect and so easy for this recipe.

What is chili sauce?
It’s a condiment typically found near the ketchup in grocery stores. It’s a tomato-based sauce that is sweeter and a bit spicier than ketchup, with a chunkier texture. Heinz is a popular brand.

Conclusion

These Reuben Egg Rolls are a truly inspired and outrageously delicious appetizer. They are the perfect, fun, and creative way to enjoy a classic flavor combination, and they are guaranteed to be the star of any party. Enjoy every single crispy, cheesy, and tangy bite!