Step-by-Step Guide to Rolling Fresh Spring Rolls

This step-by-step guide to rolling fresh spring rolls will help you learn how to make your own fresh spring rolls at home so that you can always have perfect rolls. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, these veggie-packed spring rolls are bursting with flavor and nutrition and will impress all your dinner guests.

Why You Will Love This Guide

Have you ever wished you could make your own spring rolls at home?

Did you know it is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it?

I always make this recipe at home, and I LOVE to use this recipe in my live cooking demos.

Everybody is always so excited to make them!

But – everyone is always intimidated to make them the first time, which is why I love teaching people how easy it is.

So sit back and relax; this post contains everything you need to know about how to roll your own rolls perfectly – every time, including step-by-step picture instructions and helpful tips and tricks.

What Are Spring Rolls?

You may have had fresh spring or summer rolls at a Chinese or Vietnamese restaurant before, but did you know there is a difference between the commonly known and Vietnamese spring rolls?

Spring rolls have a looser definition.

They can be fresh or fried and originate from many different countries, while summer rolls are almost always served fresh raw and originate from Vietnamese cuisine.

Many people use the terms spring and summer rolls interchangeably, but for this post, we will be focusing on making fresh, not fried, spring rolls.

Ingredient Options

• Carrots
• Zucchini
• Bell Pepper
• Red Cabbage
• Romaine Lettuce
• Avocado
• Scallions
• Cilantro

Step-by-Step Pictures

The Secret to Easy Rolling

Do you want to know how to make rice paper rolls perfect every single time?

Setting up the mise en place BEFORE getting started. Mise en place is a French term meaning “putting in place”.

Before you start rolling your rice paper rolls, you want to ensure all ingredients are cut and prepped, your work area is set up, and everything is ready to go.

Do not skip this step.

This includes chopping all of your vegetables, preparing any extra ingredients, and having your work surface organized, set up, and ready to go.

Mise en place is generally a good idea anytime you cook or bake, but it is especially important when rolling fresh spring rolls.

Set up an assembly line of ingredients so you can easily add a little to each rice paper wrapper as you move along.

Mise En Place

The best and easiest way to make great spring rolls is to make sure your mise en place is set up!

• Veggies: You can use any vegetable combination in your rolls. However, keep in mind that it is important to incorporate some ‘hard’ vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, or green pepper. Bean sprouts also work well here. These will serve as the backbone of your roll and keep them from folding over or folding together. It is also smart to cut your vegetable julienne style; think skinny sticks approximately 3-4” long. Be mindful of sharp edges or ends, which may poke holes or tear your rice paper.
• Extra additions: Feel free to get creative when deciding what to put in rice paper rolls. You can also add some protein; shredded chicken or fresh shrimp are two of my favorites, but I have also used beans and cooked quinoa too. Prepare your extra additions however you like; make sure the pieces are cut small before you start rolling.
• Warm Water Bath: Select a bowl that is large enough to submerge your sheet of rice paper into the liquid without needing to bend it. Fill that bowl with 1-2” of warm-hot water, then dip the rice paper into it. Optional: I add a few dashes of soy sauce or coconut aminos, a 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic, and squeeze fresh lime into my water for a bit of added flavor. After the rice paper has soaked for a few seconds, lift it out of the water with two hands and let it drain before laying it on your work surface.
• Work Surface: You want a spacious, flat surface to work on that can get wet. I find that both my countertop and a plastic cutting board work just fine.

Benefits of Rolling Your Own

The beauty of rolling your own spring rolls at home is that you can add any ingredient you want and customize them to any dietary or flavor preference.

• Everything is customizable, from the wrapper to the sauce you dip it in.
• They are a delicious way to get in two or more servings of vegetables.
• They are a perfect meal idea for Meatless Monday or any day of the week.
• They are versatile; you can add almost any ingredient you would like. Even the pickiest of eaters can’t complain.
• You can even set these up buffet style and let everyone in the family make their own, which helps to encourage kids to make and enjoy new foods as well

Rice Paper Wrappers

At the most basic level, the only thing you really need to start rolling your spring rolls is a rice paper wrapper, which should be made of a few simple ingredients, most commonly rice flour, tapioca starch, water, and salt.

This means that the rice paper wrappers are naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low FODMAP, and free of the top 8 most common allergens: dairy, wheat, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and soy.

Each wrapper contains approximately 30 calories, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and no fat.

However, exact nutrition will vary from brand to brand depending on what is available at your grocery store.

Packed with Vegetables

The second standard ingredient that gets added to fresh rice paper rolls is vegetables and fresh herbs, two of the most nutritious fresh food options available.

While the nutrition will vary depending on the vegetables you choose, all vegetables are typically still a highly nutrient-dense, high-fiber addition to this meal.

Most vegetables contain a high concentration of the different nutrients we need for optimal health, including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants.

Consuming just two vegetable rolls is an excellent way to get in two of the recommended servings of vegetables each day. The more veggies you add, the healthier these rolls will be!

Can Be Vegan or Not

It is entirely your choice whether or not to enjoy these spring rolls as a vegan or vegetarian dish or as a high-protein meal with the addition of ingredients like shrimp, fish, or chicken.

Making these fresh spring rolls is a great option for families who live with both vegetarians and omnivores because each spring roll can be made individually to reflect each person’s preference.

Feel free to make a half batch of vegetable spring rolls and a half batch of shrimp spring rolls to please everyone in the family.

Naturally Gluten-Free

Many people adopt a gluten-free lifestyle for a variety of reasons, and it is helpful to know that these rice paper wrappers are completely gluten-free.

As long as you do not add any ingredients with hidden gluten, like traditional soy sauce, you can rest easy knowing that this dish is wheat, barley, and rye-free.

Low FODMAP

Many people are excited to learn that rice paper wraps are low in FODMAP.

The term FODMAP is an acronym derived from “Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols”.

For those following this specific diet, these rice paper wraps are a great addition to expand your food options.

Just be careful to ensure that the ingredients you add to your rolls are FODMAP-friendly.

Notes & Expert Tips

• Remember that getting this right will likely take you a few tries. Have a little patience, and don’t be afraid to start over if you have to.
• Rolling a really good spring roll takes practice my first one or two- every time I make them – they usually turn out pretty shaky. But once you get the hang of it and feel comfortable, you’ll learn how to do it quickly and easily.
• The only downfall to these spring rolls is that they are best eaten freshly and are not good after a few hours. If you have leftovers, you could probably keep them for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• Individually wrap each one in plastic wrap to preserve the freshness so that they don’t stick to each other and fall apart. After that, the wrapper will get tough and gummy.
• However, if you have your mise en place all ready to go, you could pull the leftover veggies out of your fridge and roll up some more the next day.