Tinis Mac and Cheese Lumpia (Printer view)

Crispy lumpia with creamy mac and cheese filling for a flavorful and crowd-pleasing snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 7 ounces 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 wrappers or spring roll wrappers
11 - 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
12 - Cooking spray or neutral oil, as needed (for air-frying)

# Directions:

01 - Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter over medium heat and stir in flour; cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth; season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if desired.
05 - Fold cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until evenly coated; allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes until thick enough to handle.
06 - Place one wrapper on a flat surface, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling near the bottom edge; fold sides over filling and roll tightly, sealing edge with beaten egg. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
07 - Set air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
08 - Lightly spray or brush lumpia rolls with oil and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
09 - Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through until golden brown and crisp.
10 - Serve warm, optionally accompanied by ketchup, sriracha, or cheese dipping sauce.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Creamy mac and cheese gets a crispy, handheld upgrade that feels like comfort food met a carnival.
  • They air-fry beautifully, so you skip the oil mess but keep all the crunch.
  • Perfect for parties, because everyone wants to try one and then immediately reach for another.
02 -
  • If you skip the cooling step, the hot mac and cheese will soften the wrappers and make them impossible to roll without tearing.
  • Don't overfill each roll, too much filling and they'll burst in the air fryer, leaving you with crispy shells and a cheesy puddle.
  • Flip them gently halfway through cooking so both sides crisp evenly and you don't end up with one pale side.
03 -
  • Brush the wrappers with a tiny bit of oil instead of spraying if you want more control over even browning.
  • Make the mac and cheese the night before and let it chill completely, it rolls so much easier when it's cold and firm.
  • If a roll does burst, don't throw it out, the crispy, cheesy edges are cook's treat and taste incredible.
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