Tinis Mac and Cheese Lumpia (Printable Version)

Crispy lumpia wrappers encase creamy mac and cheese, air-fried for a golden, flavorful fusion snack.

# What You 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)

# Steps:

01 - Boil salted water and cook macaroni until al dente. 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 milk and cook until slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
05 - Add salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if desired. Stir to combine.
06 - Mix cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until thoroughly coated. Allow to cool for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
07 - Place a lumpia wrapper on a clean surface. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of mac and cheese near the bottom edge. Fold sides over filling and roll tightly. Seal edge with beaten egg. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
08 - Heat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
09 - Lightly spray or brush each roll with oil. Arrange rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
10 - Cook rolls for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
11 - Serve warm with optional dipping sauces such as ketchup, sriracha, or cheese sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast of crispy outside and warm, creamy cheese inside hits different—it's addictive.
  • Takes only 40 minutes total and uses ingredients you probably have on hand.
  • Works for fancy appetizers or lazy snacking straight from the air fryer.
02 -
  • If your cheese sauce is too thin when you start rolling, let it cool longer—rushed rolling means split wrappers and a mess.
  • Don't skip the halfway turn in the air fryer or you'll end up with one golden side and one pale side.
  • Lumpia wrappers are thinner than spring rolls and crisp up faster, so watch them the first time you make these.
03 -
  • Don't skip cooling the mac and cheese mixture—warm filling wants to burst through the wrapper, but chilled filling stays put and seals cleanly.
  • The egg wash isn't just for sealing; it also helps the rolls brown evenly in the air fryer for that perfect golden finish.
Go Back