Tinis Mac and Cheese Lumpia (Printable)

Crispy lumpia rolls filled with creamy mac and cheese for a tasty fusion snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 7 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ¼ tsp 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 (for air-frying)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in sharp cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
05 - Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened.
06 - Place a wrapper on a clean surface, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling near the edge, fold sides over and roll tightly. Seal edges with beaten egg. Repeat.
07 - Heat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
08 - Lightly spray or brush 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 and crisp.
10 - Serve rolls warm with optional dipping sauces such as ketchup, sriracha, or cheese sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and basically impossible to stop eating once you start.
  • Takes less than an hour from start to finish, which means you can impress people on a weeknight without stress.
  • Vegetarian, fusiony, and weird enough to make people remember you made something special.
02 -
  • Let the filling cool before rolling or it'll tear right through the wrapper and you'll end up with mac and cheese soup instead of neat little bundles.
  • Don't skip the oil spray on the lumpia—they need that light coating to crisp up properly in the air fryer.
03 -
  • Don't overfill the rolls or they'll burst open—2 to 3 tablespoons is the sweet spot that keeps things together.
  • If your filling is still warm when you try to roll, it'll tear through the wrapper; patience here saves frustration later.
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