Egg Roll vs Spring Roll: What’s the Difference?

We consulted an expert to get all the details.

Egg rolls and spring rolls are both terms for a popular fried appetiser, but they’re not the same thing. So, what’s the difference? For more info, we consulted Nadia Liu Spellman, an expert in Chinese cuisine and the author of Dumpling Daughter Heirloom Recipes: From Our Restaurants And Home Kitchens.

What is an Egg Roll?

An egg roll is a fried, savoury roll filled with shredded cabbage, ground or roast pork or shrimp and other ingredients inside a wonton wrapper or thick, wheat flour wrapper.

Egg rolls are thought to have been invented in New York City’s Chinatown restaurants in the 1930s. “Over 100 years ago, immigrants came to the United States, many of them being railroad workers. When their jobs were done, many of them opened restaurants as a way to make a living,” Liu Spellman explains. “The egg roll is sort of an extension of a Chinese spring roll which is very popular in China. The egg roll has a thicker skin, similar to a wonton skin. Perhaps they did not have access to spring roll skins at the time that egg rolls were created, they only had access to wonton skins, so they made spring rolls out of a thicker wrapper.”

Liu Spellman adds, “There is also a belief that they made "larger" spring rolls, they were more filling, convenient to eat, and a better value for their American customers than a petit, smaller roll.”

Do Egg Rolls Have Egg?

No, egg rolls do not typically have egg. “The actual egg roll in America has never had egg in the wrapping. The inside may or may not contain egg depending on the chef who makes it,” Liu Spellman says. She notes that there is a dish in China called rolled “bing,” which she describes as “handheld, delicious rolls made in China that are made with scrambled egg; those wrappers are similar to crepe pancakes from France.”

What Is a Spring Roll?

A spring roll is a vegetarian fried roll that is filled with sauteed shredded cabbage, mushrooms, scallions, and carrots wrapped with a delicate, thin wrapper. Spring rolls were invented in Shanghai, China.

“During the Chinese new year it is important to enjoy spring rolls as they represent gold bars,” Liu Spellman says. “It is believed that if you eat spring rolls in the first 14 days of the new year, it will bring you wealth in the new year.”

Although spring rolls are traditionally vegetarian and the classic filling contains a base of shredded cabbage, there are many creative takes across cultures. “The Chinese created spring rolls and the concept then spread to southeast Asia and Japan quickly. Now there are spring rolls in many cultures, including steak and cheese spring rolls and pizza flavored with tomato sauce and cheese!” Liu Spellman says.

Differences Between Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls

Egg rolls and spring rolls are both savory fried appetizers, but they have different origins, wrappers and fillings.

Origin: Egg rolls were created in the U.S. while spring rolls were invented in China.

Wrapper: Egg rolls have a thicker skin and utilize a wonton or thick, yeast dough wrapper. Spring rolls have a more delicate, thin skin and use a spring roll wrapper.

Filling: Egg rolls typically contain cabbage and meat. Spring rolls are traditionally vegetarian or vegan, although some variations also include meat or seafood.

Egg Roll & Spring Roll Recipes

Takeout-Style Air Fryer Egg Rolls

In an air fryer, you can make crisp, satisfying egg rolls without the heavy oil of deep frying. This take on the Chinese-American staple features a classic filling of shredded cabbage, carrots, and strips of char siu. Pro tip: make a large batch, freeze extras and reheat in the air fryer.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

Inspired by a popular appetiser at Chili’s, these egg rolls feature a Southwestern-leaning filling of chicken, beans, corn and bell pepper. The creamy avocado dipping sauce provides a creamy, cooling counterpoint to the crunchy, cheesy egg rolls.

Prawn Spring Rolls

These delicate fried rolls feature a spring roll pastry wrapper, which are thinner than their eggroll or wonton wrapper counterparts and can be found in the freezer section of many Asian markets. It’s worth making the sweet-and-spicy sauce for dipping, plus leftovers can be used to accompany chicken tenders or prawn.

Chicken and Avocado Spring Rolls

Fresh, creamy avocado inside of a golden-crisp coating- this recipe for spring rolls makes 12 servings, but they'll be gone in a matter of seconds.