Peanut butter is an ingredient that may seem unusual in egg rolls, which are more commonly filled with ingredients like cabbage, carrots, shrimp, pork, or chicken. However, peanut butter can actually add great flavor and texture when used as part of the filling in egg rolls. There are a few key reasons why peanut butter works well in these crispy deep-fried appetizers.
Complementary Flavors
Peanut butter naturally complements many of the other typical egg roll fillings. Its nutty, toasted flavor pairs well with shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, and onions. It also complements egg roll fillings like shrimp, pork, chicken, or tofu. The creamy texture of peanut butter also balances out any crunchy fillings used in the egg rolls. Peanut butter mellows out sharply flavored ingredients like garlic and ginger. It adds body and richness to the filling.
Added Protein
Peanut butter adds extra protein to vegetable-based egg rolls. Peanut butter contains about 8 grams of protein per 2 tablespoon serving. Adding a couple tablespoons of peanut butter to an egg roll filling boosts the protein content considerably. This makes the egg rolls more nutritious and filling. The protein from peanut butter will help you feel satiated after eating egg rolls.
Keeps Fillings Contained
The thick, sticky texture of peanut butter helps bind all the egg roll ingredients together. When you combine peanut butter with shredded cabbage, carrot, onion, and seasonings, it creates a cohesive filling that will stay neatly contained when wrapped tightly in the egg roll skin. Peanut butter minimizes any filling falling out the sides or ends of the egg roll as they fry. The peanut butter almost acts like an edible “glue” to hold the egg roll together.
Adds Flavorful Fat
Authentic egg rolls need some fat in the filling to achieve the desired rich taste and crispy texture when fried. Peanut butter provides tasty monounsaturated fats from the peanut oil. You only need about 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in the filling to get the right amount of fat. The peanut butter flavor comes through while also adding moisture and fat.
Creamy Aftertaste
Peanut butter leaves egg rolls with a pleasantly creamy fatty aftertaste. After the flavors of the other fillings fade, you are left with a nice roasted peanut flavor. This makes the egg rolls satisfying from the first bite to the last. The creamy fat content provided by the peanut butter also helps balance out egg rolls with spicy fillings.
Easy to Add
Peanut butter is convenient to add to egg rolls because it is readily available and requires no prep. You can simply scoop a couple tablespoons of peanut butter directly into the other filling ingredients before wrapping the egg rolls. There is no chopping, cooking, or special handling required. Peanut butter also lasts a long time in the pantry, so it is easy to keep on hand.
Works with Sweet or Savory Egg Rolls
Peanut butter works in both sweet and savory egg rolls. For savory egg rolls, peanut butter pairs well with fillings like curry, chili, teriyaki chicken, and slaw. For sweet egg rolls, peanut butter goes great with fillings like bananas, chocolate, coconut, and pineapple. Peanut butter is a versatile ingredient when it comes to egg roll fillings.
Conclusion
Peanut butter may not seem like an obvious choice for egg rolls, but it can add great flavor, texture, fat, and protein. The nutty creaminess of peanut butter balances out other fillings and binds them together. It also gives egg rolls a tasty roasted aroma and fatty, satisfying aftertaste. Peanut butter is easy to incorporate and complements both sweet and savory fillings. That is why next time you make egg rolls, consider tossing a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter into the filling.