15+ Tasty Rice Paper Recipes (Rolls and Beyond!) - The Nessy Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Are rice paper rolls healthy? ›

Rice paper rolls are a delicious and nutritious option to enjoy as a snack or as a meal. The roll is low in carbohydrate and fat and offers a moderate protein content. The vegetables make the roll high in fibre and offer your body lots of good vitamins and minerals.

Storing: The rolls taste best the day they are made, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap (to keep the wrapper soft and to keep them from sticking together) and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Refrigeration is notorious for drying out rice paper wrappers and making spring rolls rubbery, so fair warning that these won't be quite as supple as their freshly rolled friends (but still delicious nonetheless). Wrap individual summer rolls tightly in plastic wrap and store the rolls in an airtight container.

“Rice paper lasts indefinitely,” says cookbook author Andrea Nguyen, who just won a James Beard Award for “The Pho Cookbook.” “When I'm gone, they'll still be here.” So, yes, stock up on rice paper, because these rounds, which feel almost like plastic when dry, will survive just fine in your pantry.

Rice paper rolls are lowish in carbs – fill them with a protein such as Tofu, chicken or beef strips and include lettuce and bean sprouts rather than rice paper noodles with carrot and cucumber sticks, check out this recipe from Diabetes Australia.

The rice paper rolls have less rice which means potentially more fibre, protein and nutrients from the fillings. However, sushi rice is wrapped in seaweed which gives your body nutrients like iodine for thyroid health as well as a source of iron.

Make ahead

These rolls can be made ahead of time, refrigerated and served the next day. The refrigerator will dry out the rice paper a bit so just give them a mist with water about 10 minutes before serving. You don't want to soak them, just give them a chance for the rice paper to be supple again.

Tips for extra crispy rice paper rolls...

Brush generously with olive oil which is a healthier way of "frying" them to be crispy yet still tender inside. Don't allow the rice paper rolls to become too soft when soaking in the water. They should still be slightly firm and hold their shape without breaking.

You maybe rolling them a bit too tightly, putting too much stress on the wrapper, so that the added pressure of the steam causes them to rupture. You can try rolling them looser, or add a bit less filling and roll them to the same size(which is really 2 ways of saying the same thing.)

Tearing happens for me when I soak the paper too long. I soak them for 5 seconds in warm water and then roll them immediately, the issue is once it's set aside and I try to pick it up it tears open and all the filling falls out.

Why do rice paper rolls smell bad? ›

It should not have a smell that overpowers the other ingredients. The rolls should be wrapped and stored in a dry and cool place. It starts smelling when it is old and time to toss it. However, I always have leftover rice paper rolls and do not want to create more food waste!

Do I need to refrigerate the wrapper? Rice paper is a dried product so like most others that are similar, storing it in a cool, dry location such as a pantry, is fine. However, keeping it in the fridge will guarantee that it stays dry and may even extend the storage time.

When rice paper goes bad, you will notice a noticeable change in its texture and appearance. It will start to harden and discolor, often developing yellow spots or speckles. Additionally, if it gives off an unpleasant, stale or musty odor, it's a good indication that it is no longer good to eat.

Substitute for Bread

A serving of one 8 1/2-inch wrapper has 31.3 calories. Compare this to a large pita, which has 165 calories per serving, or a single slice of white bread, with 80 calories per serving, and it's easy to see how using rice paper can help you lose weight.

It's healthy and suitable to most dietary requirements

Since the only starch is made from rice, the roll is gluten-free, and if you don't put too many rice noodles inside, the calories can be very low. Also if you don't add meat, they are vegan.

Are Vietnamese rice paper rolls healthy? Made from rice paper wrappers and fresh ingredients, Vietnamese rice paper rolls are a healthier alternative to deep-fried spring rolls. They make a great lower-cal snack, starter or light lunch option.

Nutritional Summary:

There are 56 calories in 1 large Rice Paper. Calorie Breakdown: 3% fat, 90% carbs, 6% prot.