I first encountered these delightful apple pie egg rolls on a busy Friday evening when I was picking up takeout from my local Panda Express. Exhausted from the workweek and craving something sweet, I impulsively added their apple pie roll to my order. That first crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated bite instantly transported me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where she’d make apple pie every fall—but with an intriguing twist that made me wonder why I hadn’t thought of this fusion before!
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What makes the Panda Express Apple Pie Egg Roll a must-try recipe?
Chinese restaurants aren’t known for their desserts, but this Chinese-American creation is a real standout. Halfway between an egg roll and a hand pie, this Panda Express Apple Pie Roll recipe combines classic apple pie filling with the ease of using egg roll wrappers.
Fried to a golden brown and then coated with cinnamon sugar, these dessert egg rolls go with a lot more than just Chinese food!
Why you’ll love making these apple pie egg rolls at home
- Perfectly Portable – Compact and handheld, these apple pie rolls are ideal for on-the-go snacking. Pack them for your children’s lunch boxes or take a few to work to avoid expensive coffee shop pastries.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Easy to prepare in advance and freeze, you can always have a delicious treat ready when cravings strike.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appeal – The familiar flavors in an unexpected package make these a hit at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
- Quick to Prepare – Using egg roll wrappers eliminates the fuss of making traditional pie crust, cutting your prep time significantly.
Panda Express Apple Pie Roll ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- Granny Smith apples – Provides tartness and structure, maintaining their shape during cooking for perfect texture chunks in the filling
- Lemon juice – Adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning while enhancing the natural apple flavor
- Cinnamon – Contributes warm, aromatic spice that’s essential for the classic apple pie flavor profile
- White granulated sugar – Sweetens the filling and helps create the syrupy texture when combined with the apple juices
- Cornstarch – Acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the filling isn’t too runny and stays inside the wrapper when fried
For Assembly and Frying:
- Egg roll wrappers – Creates the crispy exterior shell that holds the filling, offering a uniquely crunchy alternative to traditional pie crust
- Vegetable oil – Provides the high-heat frying medium that creates the characteristic golden, crispy texture
- Water – Acts as the sealing agent to keep the wrappers closed during frying
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- Cinnamon – Adds warm spice to the exterior coating, complementing the filling’s flavors
- White granulated sugar – Creates the sweet, slightly crunchy exterior that makes these egg rolls irresistible
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heavy-bottomed frying pan or deep fryer
- Cooking thermometer
- Spider strainer or slotted spoon
- Paper towels or wire cooling rack
How to make this copycat of the Panda Express apple pie roll
To prepare the filling:
- Peel the Granny Smith apples and cut them into medium dice.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, white granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well to evenly coat the apple pieces.
- Cook the apple mixture in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes while frequently stirring. Once the apples soften and the mixture thickens, remove from the heat and cool.
To assemble the pie rolls:
- Place one egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface with a corner pointing towards you.
- Use a finger to dampen the top corner with a bit of water.
- Spoon two to three tablespoons of the apple filling into the center of the egg roll wrapper.
- Fold the corner of the wrapper closest to you over the filling, and then fold in the sides. Continue rolling the egg roll wrapper away from you.
- Gently press the corner to seal, and then place the pie roll on a plate. Repeat with the remaining filling.
To fry the apple pie egg rolls:
- Heat two inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F.
- Use a spider to gently place two to three apple rolls in the hot oil.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. You may need to flip the rolls over halfway through cooking.
- Remove the fried apple rolls and drain on a paper towel or wire rack.
- Repeat with the remaining apple pie egg rolls.
To finish the pie rolls:
- Mix the cinnamon and white granulated sugar in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on both sides of the warm pie rolls.
- Serve warm.
What to serve them with
Apple Pie Egg Rolls are wonderful additions to any game day or party snack table. Check out these other recipes that would go great with them:
Chicken Wonton Tacos. You already have the egg roll wrappers, so why not try making some wonton chicken tacos with them? Crispy wonton taco shells filled with Asian chicken and slaw with a sweet chili sauce drizzle on top.
Wonton Jalapeno Poppers. Another fusion app that takes everything you love about Jalapeno Poppers and wraps it in a wonton wrapper. Wonton Jalapeno Poppers are spicy, so make sure to serve with your favorite cool sauce like Zaxby’s Zax Sauce.
Vanilla Ice Cream. Want to turn these simple dessert egg rolls into something exceptional? Cut them on the bias and serve them with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. For extra decadence, drizzle some caramel sauce over the top.
How to make these ahead of time
You can assemble Panda Express Apple Pie Rolls just to the point of frying them and then freeze them instead. To keep the pie rolls from sticking together, freeze them on a baking tray until solid, then transfer the frozen pie rolls into an airtight container and keep them in the freezer for up to a month.
You can fry the pie rolls from frozen, but add another minute or two to the frying time.
How to store the leftovers
Keep fried pie rolls in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to three days. Make sure the dessert egg rolls are at room temperature before putting them in the container.
The best way to reheat apple pie egg rolls
Warm up the fried apple pie rolls in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Place the rolls on a baking tray and cover the top of the baking tray with aluminum foil.
More Panda Express copycat recipes
Favorite apple desserts
- Apple Bread Pudding
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Spice Cake
- Bisquick Apple Cobbler
- Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
- Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler
- McDonald’s Apple Pie
- Old Fashioned Apple Pie
- Olive Garden Apple Carmelina
Check out more of my easy dessert recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes right here on CopyKat!
Panda Express Apple Pie Egg Rolls
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and diced into 3/8-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Assembly
- 8 egg roll wrappers
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the filling and mix well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the apples are slightly softened and the mixture has thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes.
- To assemble the egg rolls, place an egg roll wrapper on a clean, flat surface with one corner pointing toward you. Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling onto the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, then fold in the sides. Roll tightly from the bottom, sealing the top corner with a bit of water.
- To fry the egg rolls, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer. Carefully place 2 to 3 egg rolls into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish and mix well. While the egg rolls are still hot, roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Egg Rolls
- Apple Selection: While Granny Smiths are recommended for their tartness and structure, Braeburn, Jonagold, and Jonathan apples also work wonderfully. Mix varieties for complex flavor!
- Filling Consistency: The filling should be thick enough to spoon without being runny. If it’s too thin, add a bit more cornstarch mixed with cold water.
- Oil Temperature: Maintain the 350°F oil temperature for perfect crispiness. Too hot, and the wrappers will burn before the filling heats through; too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil.
- Wrapper Handling: Keep unused wrappers covered with a damp paper towel while working to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
- Sealing Technique: Ensure the egg rolls are properly sealed to prevent filling from leaking during frying.
Nutrition
Scaling the Recipe
- To Double: Simply double all ingredients. You may need to work in more batches when frying to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- For a Small Batch: Cut the recipe in half, but still use the same amount of oil for frying.
- For a Crowd: For parties, you can multiply the recipe as needed and keep the fried rolls warm in a 200°F oven while you finish frying the rest.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Why are my egg rolls bursting during frying?
You may be overfilling them or the oil might be too hot. Try using less filling and monitoring your oil temperature more closely.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes! Brush them lightly with oil and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy but will still be delicious.
My filling is leaking out during frying. What went wrong?
Make sure your egg roll is tightly sealed and that your filling has cooled and thickened properly before assembling.
The wrapper is cooked, but the filling isn’t hot enough. How can I fix this?
You can finish them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to heat the filling through without further browning the exterior.
Dietary Modifications and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute rice paper wrappers for egg roll wrappers. They’ll provide a different but still delicious crispy texture.
- Vegan Version: Most egg roll wrappers are vegan, but double-check ingredients. The rest of the recipe is already plant-based.
- Lower Sugar Alternative: Reduce sugar in both filling and coating, and add a pinch of stevia if desired for sweetness.
- Spice Variations: Try adding nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to the filling for different flavor profiles.
Can the Panda Express Apple Pie egg rolls be baked if so what temp?
I don’t think these can be baked, without spraying with them a lot of non-stick spray. I think you could try air frying them. I would set the air fryer to 400 degrees, and cook for 6 to 10 minutes or until they are browned, I am not 100% sure the apples would be cooked completely though.
I wonder if coating them with fat and then cooking in an air fryer would work.
You may have better luck than I have, but I have tried spraying these with non-stick spray, and the results for me, have always been a not so great browned shell that isn’t overly crispy.