Beautiful and tasty, these Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce are a favorite of mine. Spring rolls are one of my favorite colored, flavorful, and healthy meals. After a little time and practice getting the hang of using rice paper wrappers, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to make your own spring rolls and how many filling and flavor options you have.
Crunchy, refreshing shrimp spring rolls are a favorite starter for many diners. The combination of tender shrimp, crisp vegetables and bright herbs wrapped in delicate rice paper is simply irresistible But what exactly goes into crafting these tasty Vietnamese-style rolls? Let’s explore the essential components that give shrimp spring rolls their iconic flavor and texture
The wrappers – rice paper
The wrap or outer layer of a shrimp spring roll is what gives it its delicate, chewy texture. Rather than using egg roll wrappers or wonton skins, traditional Vietnamese-style spring rolls are wrapped in moistened sheets of rice paper (bánh tráng).
Rice paper wrappers are made from an extruded rice flour batter. When briefly soaked in water, they become pliable and can be wrapped around the filling easily. Once assembled, the wrappers dry into a thin, crisp outer layer. This sets them apart from fried egg rolls with their thicker, crunchier skin.
Fresh rice paper can be found in Asian grocery stores or the international section of many supermarkets. Look for rounds between 8-10 inches across.
The protein – shrimp
Tender, cooked shrimp are the star ingredient inside shrimp spring rolls. The rolls usually contain medium or large shrimp that have been peeled, deveined and quickly boiled or sautéed until just opaque throughout.
Shrimp lend the rolls a hit of protein and lots of sweet, briny flavor. Fresh or frozen and thawed shrimp both work well. Cooked shrimp provides an appealing soft texture against the crunch of the vegetables.
The veggie filling
In addition to protein, the vegetable filling is what gives shrimp spring rolls their freshness. Traditional fillings include:
- Julienned or shredded carrots
- Bean sprouts
- Thinly sliced cucumbers
- Crunchy romaine or leaf lettuce
- Slivers of red or green bell pepper
- Thin matchsticks of daikon radish
- Spring onion slices
Feel free to mix and match your favorite crunchy, watery veggies. The more colorful the better! Briefly blanching sturdier veggies ensures a tender, easy to chew texture.
Fresh herbs
An abundance of fresh herbs adds vibrance and herbal flavors to shrimp spring rolls. Popular options include:
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Thai basil
- Chives
Cilantro in particular offers a citrusy, cooling flavor that pairs perfectly with the shrimp. Use a mix of your favorite soft herbs.
Optional add-ins
For extra substance, shrimp spring rolls often contain transparent rice vermicelli noodles. The thin noodles add stretch and body while soaking up flavors.
Other tasty add-ins can include:
- Shredded mango or pineapple
- Sliced avocado
- Pickled carrots or daikon
- Toasted cashews or peanuts
The perfect dipping sauce
An addictive sauce for dipping and drizzling is the final touch for shrimp spring rolls. The contrast between the bright, herby filling and rich sauce brings the appetizer to life.
Classic Vietnamese nuoc cham is a popular accompaniment made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and chili. Peanut sauce is another favorite pairing, nutty with an undertone of ginger and garlic.
Sweet chili sauce, sriracha mayo or hoisin sauce also make tasty dips for shrimp spring rolls. Serve the sauce for drizzling or dipping on the side.
Putting it all together
Now that you know the core components, making restaurant-worthy shrimp spring rolls at home is easy. Here are some tips for assembling and serving:
-
Use a mix of 3-4 fresh veggies plus fresh herbs.
-
Briefly boil vermicelli noodles until tender, drain and rinse.
-
Cook shrimp just until opaque, then drain and chill.
-
Prep all ingredients before assembly – slice veggies, cook noodles, etc.
-
Work with one rice paper at a time, dipping briefly in water.
-
Place shrimp and small amounts of ingredients near bottom third of wrapper.
-
Fold sides inward then roll up from bottom, tucking in sides.
-
Cut rolls in half before serving for tidier appetizer portions.
-
Chill finished rolls until ready to serve with dipping sauce on the side.
With their appetizing array of colors, textures and flavors, shrimp spring rolls have universal appeal. Next time your spring roll wrapper delicately crackles as you take a bite, you’ll know exactly what’s inside this iconic Asian appetizer.
Why You’ll Love These Shrimp Spring Rolls
What makes this recipe so beautiful and nutritious is the variety of fillings that work here. Any bright vegetable works, like radishes, avocado slices, bell pepper strips, sprouts or microgreens, crunchy lettuce leaves, and so on. The vegetables in the recipe go well with some of my favorite foods, but they are only a suggestion.
The creamy peanut-soy dipping sauce is so simple. Just mix some toppings together and add water to make the dip the right thickness for you. The smooth, salty dip is a must alongside the fresh, crunchy rolls. Everything is best enjoyed fresh, served right after you finish assembling the rolls.
The Best Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls Recipe | Easy Prawn Rolls
What are shrimp spring rolls made of?
Great for parties or as a light lunch. Shrimp spring rolls are made with vibrant crisp vegetables, bean thread noodles, and succulent shrimp, all wrapped in delicate spring roll wrappers. Quick, healthy, and super easy! WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE? Enter your email below & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
Spring rolls vs Egg rolls: Which is healthier?
Spring rolls vs egg rolls the both of are made up of refined flour, both contain similar calories, but the only difference in them is the addition of vegetables, spring rolls have more added vegetables compared to egg roll which only has cabbage added to it. So, comparing on the amount of vegetables and method of preparation spring rolls are quite healthy than egg rolls. Later it depends on the amount of other sauces you add in the roll which will eventually increase the calories.
What are spring roll wrappers made of?
rice paper wrappers – these delicate, translucent rice paper wrappers, also known as spring roll wrappers are the key to forming your spring rolls. They’re typically made from rice flour, water and salt and can usually be found in the Asian section of your grocery store. They soften when dipped in water and become pliable for wrapping.
How do you make a shrimp spring roll?
Place an equal portion of all the veggies and shrimp on the bottom half of the rice paper. Fold over both sides and roll it up. Repeat the process until you use up the filling. Assemble the spring rolls in a single layer on a plate, making sure none of them are touching.