Imagine biting into a crisp, fresh spring roll loaded with vibrant vegetables, fragrant herbs, and tender noodles, all wrapped in a soft rice paper shell. Dip it into a luscious, creamy peanut sauce, and you’ve got the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Fresh & Flavorful Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce are not just a treat for your taste buds—they’re a feast for your eyes and a boost of nourishment. Whether you’re preparing a light lunch, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a snack for yourself, this recipe is sure to impress.
Ingredients for Fresh Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce
| Category | Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Rolls | Rice vermicelli or brown rice maifun noodles | 2 ounces |
| Toasted sesame oil | 1 teaspoon | |
| Fine sea salt | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Butter lettuce (torn) | 1 cup | |
| Red cabbage (thinly sliced) | 1 cup | |
| Carrots (matchsticks or julienned) | 2 medium | |
| Persian cucumbers (thinly sliced or julienned) | 2 | |
| Jalapeños (sliced, ribs, and seeds removed) | 2 medium | |
| Green onions (thinly sliced) | ¼ cup | |
| Fresh cilantro (chopped) | ¼ cup | |
| Fresh mint (chopped) | ¼ cup | |
| Rice paper wrappers | 8 sheets | |
| Peanut Sauce | Creamy peanut butter | ⅓ cup |
| Rice vinegar | 2 tablespoons | |
| Tamari or soy sauce | 2 tablespoons | |
| Honey or maple syrup | 2 tablespoons | |
| Toasted sesame oil | 1 tablespoon | |
| Garlic (pressed or minced) | 2 cloves | |
| Water | 2–3 tablespoons |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Freshness: Crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and soft noodles create an explosion of flavor in every bite.
- Healthy and Wholesome: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats, these rolls are as nutritious as they are delicious.
- Customizable: Swap out vegetables, add protein like shrimp or tofu, or adjust the peanut sauce to suit your taste.
- Simple and Fun: Rolling these spring rolls is easier than you think and can be a fun activity for kids or guests.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve as an appetizer, a light lunch, or even a snack during a busy day.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Spring Rolls and Peanut Sauce
1. Prepare the Noodles
- Cook the rice vermicelli according to the package instructions.
- Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.
- Toss the noodles with 1 teaspoon sesame oil and a pinch of sea salt to prevent sticking and add flavor.
2. Prep the Vegetables and Herbs
- Arrange the butter lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, and mint on a clean cutting board or in separate bowls. This makes assembling the rolls quick and organized.
3. Make the Peanut Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, rice vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
- Whisk until smooth, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach a creamy, dippable consistency.
- Taste and adjust the flavors as needed.
4. Assemble the Spring Rolls
- Fill a large shallow dish with warm water.
- Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for about 10–15 seconds until it softens but remains slightly firm.
- Lay the softened wrapper on a clean, damp surface.
- In the center of the wrapper, layer a few lettuce leaves, a small portion of noodles, and a mix of cabbage, carrots, cucumber, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, and mint.
- Fold the sides of the wrapper inward, then roll tightly from the bottom, tucking in the filling as you go.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Arrange the spring rolls on a platter and serve with the creamy peanut sauce.
- Enjoy immediately, or cover with a damp cloth and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Pro Tips for Perfect Spring Rolls
1. Use Fresh Ingredients
Choose fresh, crisp vegetables and vibrant herbs for the best flavor and texture.
2. Work Quickly with Rice Paper
Rice paper wrappers can become too soft if left in water too long. Dip them briefly and work on one roll at a time.
3. Don’t Overfill
Keep the filling moderate to make rolling easier and prevent tearing.
4. Experiment with Protein
Add shrimp, tofu, or shredded chicken for extra protein and a heartier meal.
5. Make Extra Sauce
Double the peanut sauce recipe—it’s so good you’ll want extra for dipping or drizzling over salads.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Spring Roll |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sodium | 180mg |
Serving Suggestions
- As an Appetizer: Pair with additional dipping sauces like sweet chili or hoisin sauce.
- As a Light Meal: Serve alongside a simple soup or salad.
- For a Party: Arrange on a large platter with a variety of sauces for dipping.
- As a Healthy Snack: Keep a few rolls in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go option.
FAQs About Fresh & Flavorful Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce
1. Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them up to 4 hours in advance. Cover with a damp cloth and store in the fridge to keep them fresh.
2. Are these spring rolls gluten-free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.
3. Can I use a different dipping sauce?
Absolutely! Try sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, or a spicy sriracha mayo for variety.
4. How do I prevent the rice paper from sticking?
Work on a damp surface and keep your hands slightly wet to prevent sticking.
5. Can I freeze these spring rolls?
No, fresh spring rolls do not freeze well due to the delicate rice paper and fresh vegetables.
6. What’s a good substitute for peanut butter in the sauce?
You can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a nut-free option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fresh & Flavorful Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce bring a burst of freshness to your table. They’re simple to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for any occasion. The creamy peanut sauce elevates the dish, offering a rich, nutty complement to the crisp vegetables and soft noodles.
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Fresh & Flavorful Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 spring rolls 1x
Description
There’s something irresistible about the combination of crisp vegetables, soft noodles, and fresh herbs wrapped in delicate rice paper and paired with a creamy peanut sauce. Fresh & Flavorful Spring Rolls with Creamy Peanut Sauce are a light, delicious, and colorful meal or snack that you can whip up effortlessly. Perfect for parties, appetizers, or meal prep, these spring rolls are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients
Spring Rolls
- Two ounces of rice vermicelli or brown rice maifun noodles.
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- One cup of torn butter lettuce (with the ribs removed for a tender bite.)
- 1 cup very thinly sliced red cabbage
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and cut into matchsticks or julienned)
- 2 Persian (mini cucumbers or 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned)
- 2 medium jalapeños (ribs and seeds removed, thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh mint
- Eight sheets of rice paper (also known as spring roll wrappers.)
Peanut Sauce
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (pressed or minced)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water (as needed (to adjust consistency))
Instructions
Prepare the Noodles
- Cook the rice vermicelli according to package instructions.
- Drain, rinse with cool water, and toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Prep the Vegetables and Herbs
- Arrange the butter lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, and mint on a clean cutting board or separate bowls to make the rolling process easier.
Make the Peanut Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, rice vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, and garlic.
- Whisk until smooth, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a creamy, dippable consistency.
- Set aside.
Assemble the Spring Rolls
- Fill a large shallow dish with warm water.
- Dip one sheet of rice paper in the water for about 10-15 seconds, until soft but still slightly firm (it will soften more as you work).
- Place the softened rice paper on a clean, damp surface.
- Layer a few lettuce leaves, a small portion of noodles, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, jalapeño slices, green onions, cilantro, and mint in the center of the wrapper.
- Fold the sides of the rice paper over the filling, then roll from the bottom, tucking in the ingredients as you go, to form a tight roll.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the fresh spring rolls with the peanut sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy immediately, or cover with a damp cloth and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Notes
- Make It Vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey for the peanut sauce.
- Add Protein: Include cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, or tofu for a heartier version.
- Storage: Cover assembled rolls with a damp cloth and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Serve fresh.
- Peanut Allergy: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a nut-free sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Fresh Assembly
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired