Tinis Mac Cheese Lumpia Rolls (Printer-Friendly)

Crispy lumpia wrappers stuffed with creamy mac and cheese create a delicious, easy-to-make fusion snack.

# What You Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

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

→ Lumpia Rolls

10 - 16 lumpia wrappers
11 - 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
12 - Cooking spray or neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How to Cook:

01 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then 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 - Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth, then season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
05 - Mix cooked macaroni into cheese sauce thoroughly and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes until thick enough to handle.
06 - Place a lumpia wrapper on a clean surface, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling near the bottom edge, fold the sides over and roll tightly, sealing the edge with beaten egg. Repeat.
07 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
08 - Lightly spray or brush the rolls with oil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
09 - Cook rolls for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
10 - Serve warm with optional dipping sauces such as ketchup, sriracha, or cheese sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy wrappers give way to creamy, cheesy pasta in every bite, a texture contrast that feels indulgent and playful.
  • They disappear fast at parties, and everyone asks for the recipe, convinced you spent hours on them.
  • The air fryer keeps them light and golden without the mess of deep frying.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, staying crisp on the outside and gooey inside.
02 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool completely before rolling, or the heat will soften the wrappers and make them impossible to seal properly.
  • Don't overfill the wrappers, even if it's tempting, because the filling will burst out during cooking and leave you with a mess.
  • Flip the rolls halfway through air-frying so both sides crisp evenly and turn the same deep golden color.
03 -
  • Keep the lumpia wrappers covered with a damp towel while you work so they don't dry out and crack before you can roll them.
  • Brush the rolls with a thin layer of oil instead of spraying if you want more control over the coverage and an extra-even crisp.
  • Make a double batch and freeze the uncooked rolls on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag, then air-fry them straight from frozen for a quick snack anytime.
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