Tinis Mac Cheese Lumpia (Printable Version)

Crispy lumpia rolls filled with creamy mac and cheese, perfect for a savory snack or appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 7 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

→ Lumpia Rolls

10 - 16 lumpia or spring roll wrappers
11 - 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
12 - Cooking spray or a small amount of neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy wrapper gives you that satisfying crunch before you hit the creamy, cheesy center.
  • They're perfect for using up leftover mac and cheese or turning a simple batch into something exciting.
  • Kids and adults both reach for seconds, which makes them ideal for parties or family nights.
02 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool completely before rolling or it will be too runny and tear through the wrappers.
  • Don't overfill the wrappers, or they'll burst open in the air fryer and make a mess.
  • If your wrappers are frozen, thaw them fully and cover them with a damp towel so they don't dry out and crack.
03 -
  • Use a light hand with the oil spray, too much will make the wrappers soggy instead of crispy.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, you can shallow-fry these in a skillet with a little oil, turning them until golden on all sides.
  • Keep the wrappers covered with a damp towel while you work so they stay pliable and don't crack when you roll them.
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