Chinese Spring Rolls (春卷), Deep-Fried or Air-Fried

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1. 1Step 1: Defrost the frozen spring roll wrappers in the fridge the night before.
2. 2Step 2: Put all the filling ingredients into a large mixing bowl, leaving out one egg yolk for brushing the wrappers.
3. 3Step 3: Add all the seasonings and mix until well combined, preferably with your hands (wear kitchen gloves if available).
4. 4Step 4: Gently separate the spring roll wrappers one by one, and always cover them with a clean damp cloth as they dry out easily.
5. 5Step 5: Place one wrapper on a flat surface with one corner facing you. Put about 3 tbsp of filling above the closest corner, using a spoon to shape it into a rectangle.
6. 6Step 6: Lift the closest corner to wrap the filling, then roll it to the half-line of the wrapper, wrapping as tight as possible without air pockets, but gently to avoid tearing.
7. 7Step 7: Lightly press the two ends of the filling, then fold the left and right corners of the wrapper towards the middle.
8. 8Step 8: Roll the cylinder until only a triangle is left at the top. Brush a layer of egg yolk over the triangle, then roll again to seal completely. Repeat to assemble all the rolls.
9. 9Step 9: Heat the oil for deep frying until it reaches 180°C/350°F. Gently slide in the rolls one by one, not overcrowding (fry in batches if necessary).
10. 10Step 10: Fry over medium heat, flipping a few times to ensure even browning. When golden, transfer to a tray lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.
11. 11Step 11: Preheat the air fryer at 200°C/390°F for 3 minutes. While waiting, brush a layer of oil all around the spring rolls.
12. 12Step 12: Put the rolls on the crisper tray of the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then flip over and cook for a further 5 minutes until golden.
13. 13Step 13: Serve warm on their own or with the dipping sauce.
14. 14Step 14: To reheat leftover spring rolls, put them in a preheated oven at 200°C/390°F for about 10 minutes, or in an air-fryer at 200°C/390°F for 5 minutes or so.
15. 15Step 15: You may store uncooked spring rolls, right after they're assembled, in the freezer for up to three months, kept in an air-tight bag or container.
16. 16Step 16: Cook as usual without defrosting. If deep frying, raise the temperature to 190°C/375°F. If air-frying, prolong the cooking time by 3-5 minutes.