Easy Filipino Lumpia Recipe (Filipino Egg Rolls)

By Rachel Orban

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

If there’s one Filipino dish that always wins over a crowd, it’s lumpia. Even people who haven’t tried much Filipino food know and love these golden, crispy rolls. Whenever I introduce friends to Filipino cuisine, I start with lumpia. It's always a fan favorite at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

What is Lumpia?

Lumpia is the Filipino version of spring rolls or egg rolls, filled with a savory mix of meat and vegetables, wrapped tightly, and fried until crisp and golden. They can be made with pork, beef, chicken, or vegetables, making them versatile and customizable. One bite of these crunchy rolls, and you’ll see why they’re so addictive. You may end up eating the whole plate!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lumpia is simple to make, budget-friendly, and easy to customize with your favorite proteins and vegetables. The best part? You can make them in batches, freeze them, and fry only what you need for a quick and delicious treat anytime.

Ingredients

• Ground protein: Pork is the classic choice, but chicken or beef work just as well.

• Grated vegetables: Carrots, onion, and garlic are staples; add cabbage or celery for extra crunch.

• Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the filling together.

• Seasonings: Soy sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper, and a little salt.

• Lumpia wrappers (spring roll wrappers): Found in most Asian grocery stores. If unavailable, wonton wrappers can be used in a pinch.

  
  

How to Make Lumpia

1. Prepare the Filling

• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork (or protein of choice), carrots, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings. Mix well until fully combined.

2. Wrap the Lumpia

• Carefully separate the lumpia wrappers.

• Place about 1 tablespoon of filling on each wrapper.

• Fold in the sides and roll tightly.

• Seal the edge with water or a bit of beaten egg.

  
  

3. Fry Until Crispy

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

• Fry the lumpia in small batches until golden brown and crispy (about 3 minutes per side).

• Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.

  
  

4. Serve & Enjoy

• Serve hot with dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce, vinegar with garlic, or banana ketchup—all traditional Filipino favorites.

Notes

For a healthier twist, you can bake or air fry lumpia instead of deep-frying. Simply brush each roll lightly with oil, then:

• Bake at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, turning once, until golden and crispy.

• Air fry at 400–425°F for 10–15 minutes, checking halfway through, until perfectly crunchy.

Lumpia is also make-ahead friendly. Assemble the rolls and freeze them in a single layer. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a sealed container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to cook, fry or bake them straight from frozen. Just add an extra 1–2 minutes to the cooking time.