Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

Method

• Prep:

  Start by making your sauce so it has time to chill and develop its flavor while you prepare everything else. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayo, relish, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, sugar, and salt, giving it a good whisk until everything is smooth and well combined. Set it in the refrigerator while you work on the rest of the recipe because the longer it rests in the fridge the better it is going to taste.

  Chop half of an onion, chop as many pickles as you would like, and cut the bacon into small pieces so everything is prepped and ready to go.

  Cooking:

  In a medium heat skillet, add the chopped bacon and begin stirring and rendering the fat, cooking it until the bacon is nice and crispy. Once it is done, remove the bacon from the pan along with about half of the bacon fat.

  Into the same pan, go in with the chopped onion and cook it until it is translucent and softened. Once the onions have cooked down, add in the ground beef and cook until it has browned all the way through, then strain out the grease.

  Season the beef with Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, making sure everything is well incorporated. Add in the chopped pickles and the cooked bacon and combine all of the ingredients together. Set the mixture aside to cool down before you start rolling.

  To assemble your egg rolls, lay out an egg roll wrapper and add a half slice of Colby Jack cheese followed by a generous scoop of the ground beef mixture and then a half slice of cheddar cheese on top. Roll the egg roll up tightly making sure to tuck in the sides as you go so nothing leaks out during cooking. Repeat this process until you have used all of your filling.

  Lightly brush or spray each egg roll with avocado oil to help them crisp up in the air fryer. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.

  Serve them up with that homemade sauce on the side for dipping and enjoy every single bite.

• TIPS AND TRICKS:

  -Making the sauce first and letting it chill while you prep everything else is key because the flavors have time to meld together in the fridge. The longer it sits the better it tastes, so if you can make it an hour or two ahead of time you will really notice the difference.

  -Make sure the ground beef mixture has cooled down before you start rolling the egg rolls. If the filling is too hot it will soften the egg roll wrappers and make them difficult to roll tightly, which can lead to them falling apart during cooking.

  -Rolling the egg rolls tightly and tucking in the sides is important to keep all of that cheesy meaty filling sealed inside. If they are rolled too loosely the cheese will melt out and you will lose some of that goodness.

  -Brushing or spraying the egg rolls with avocado oil before air frying is what gives them that beautiful golden crispy exterior. Do not skip this step or they will come out looking pale and will not have that satisfying crunch.

  -If you do not have an air fryer, you can deep fry these in oil at 350 degrees for about 3-4 minutes or until they are golden brown. You can also bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

• WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS:

  -These egg rolls are perfect on their own as a gameday appetizer, but if you want to make it more of a full meal, serve them alongside some seasoned fries or sweet potato fries for the complete burger experience.

  -A simple coleslaw on the side adds a nice crunch and freshness that pairs really well with the richness of the egg rolls and balances everything out.

  -If you are hosting a spread, pair these with some wings and a cold drink and you have yourself a gameday setup that everyone is going to remember.

• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  Can I use a different type of cheese?

  For sure. Colby Jack and cheddar give you that classic cheeseburger flavor and melt, but you could also use American cheese, pepper jack if you want a little heat, or even a smoked gouda for a different twist. Just make sure whatever cheese you use melts well.

  Can I bake these instead of air frying?

  Absolutely. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place the egg rolls on a lined baking sheet or wired rack. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden and crispy. They will not be quite as crunchy as the air fryer version but they will still taste amazing.

  How do I keep the egg rolls from opening up while cooking?

  Make sure you are rolling them tightly and sealing the edges with a little water or egg wash on your fingertip before pressing them closed. This creates a seal that holds everything together as they cook. Also make sure the filling has cooled down so it does not soften the wrapper.

  Can I make these ahead of time?

  You can assemble the egg rolls ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just make sure to cover them with a damp paper towel so the wrappers do not dry out. You can also freeze them uncooked for up to a month and air fry them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cook time.

  How do I reheat leftover egg rolls?

  The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 3-5 minutes until they are heated through and crispy again. The microwave will work in a pinch but the wrapper will lose its crunch, so I would recommend the air fryer or oven for the best results.