Pro Tips: Prepping Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls Ahead of Time ⏱️
Planning a party or game day? You can absolutely save time by preparing and assembling your Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls in advance! This ensures the crispy, golden finish stays perfect for serving time.
How Far Ahead Can I Assemble Them?
You can safely **prepare and assemble** your egg rolls (up through Step 2) up to **24 hours** in advance.
- 24 Hours (Maximum): For the best texture and to prevent the wrappers from getting soggy or cracking, one day is the ideal limit.
- Pro Tip: Ensure the filling is completely **cooled** before assembling. If the filling is warm, the steam will immediately start to break down the wrapper, leading to cracks or sogginess during storage.
The Best Way to Store Assembled Egg Rolls
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the wrappers so they fry up perfectly crispy.
- Dust the Rolls: Lightly dust the assembled egg rolls with a thin layer of **cornstarch** (or flour). This helps absorb any residual moisture from the wrapper or filling.
- Layer and Separate: Place the dusted egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are **not touching** each other.
- Cover Tightly: Cover the entire baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out or absorbing refrigerator odors.
- Refrigerate: Store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator until you are ready to fry.
The goal is to keep them chilled and dry until they hit the hot oil!
Prep the Filling Even Earlier (Bonus Tip!)
If 24 hours isn’t enough, you can prep the filling even sooner:
- The fully cooked cheesesteak filling (Step 1), once cooled, can be stored in an **airtight container** in the refrigerator for up to **3 days**.
- When you’re ready to assemble, pull the filling out, let it sit for about 15 minutes to take the chill off, and proceed with Step 2 (Assembly).