Summer is just around the corner, so say goodbye to heavy meals and get ready for something bright and fresh.
I am fully embracing the season with these 10 delicious rice paper recipes that are light, gluten-free, and incredibly tasty.
From savory rolls to sweet desserts, these ideas will make your summer sun shine a little brighter.
1. Fried Rice Paper Chips
Did you know rice paper isn’t just for wrapping up dinner? You can actually transform those sheets into crunchy chips for munching. It takes just five minutes to make this happen.
I love that you can microwave them without oil for a lighter version, but frying in oil with a high smoke point works too. Just add seasoning and munch away.
2. Banana Spring Rolls
I saw this fruity dessert and knew immediately that I needed to tell you about it. Imagine tender bananas wrapped in rice paper and rolled in sugar and apple pie spices.
You give them a quick pan-fry to get that crispy texture on the outside while the fruit stays warm and soft. Drizzle on some caramel sauce and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the win.
3. Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Shrimp and summer rolls really are the perfect match. This version pairs succulent shrimp with crisp vegetables for a gluten-free meal that feels good to eat.
It all comes down to the creamy sauce here. You get a spicy kick from Sriracha and a deep salty punch from fish sauce. Don’t skip the fish sauce just because of the smell because it adds that signature umami flavor.
4. Vegetable Rice Paper Rolls
These veggie rolls are absolutely my jam for the summer. You pack them with a rainbow of ingredients like creamy avocado, cool cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and crunchy cabbage. It does take some chopping, but a mandolin makes the whole process a breeze.
The dipping sauce is a dream with its sweet, nutty profile and ginger kick. I usually double up on sauces and serve these with sweet chili sauce too.
5. Beef Rice Paper Rolls
Meat lovers need to pay attention to this savory roll. It features teriyaki beef bundled up with vermicelli noodles and fresh vegetables inside sticky rice paper. You definitely want to let the steak cool down a bit before you start stuffing.
The filling has so much flavor on its own that you don’t really need a sauce. If you want one though, a peanut satay is the way to go.
6. Rice Paper Dumplings
Making dumplings usually takes a ton of work, but this method is so much easier. You just make a quick umami stir fry with cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and tofu. Wet the rice paper and stuff that veggie filling right inside.
Since they are plump, I recommend double wrapping them before giving them a quick sear for that crispy coating. Pro tip: dip your paper in warm water in a pie dish to make handling it easier.
7. Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls
This juicy garlic chicken roll is another fresh option that works for any time of day. It tastes clean and healthy thanks to the marinated chicken and the abundance of vegetables. The garlic dipping sauce really is the perfect finishing touch.
You get plenty of vitamins and protein in each roll. I bet you will want to eat every single one.
8. Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls
Fresh summer rolls often use pork, but this recipe is strictly all about the shrimp. You can also swap in prawns if that is what you prefer. These feel like restaurant quality rolls but are easy enough to make at home.
Just double up your rice papers and soften them in warm water. Stuff them with shrimp, bean sprouts, mint, and vermicelli noodles, and definitely don’t forget the peanut dipping sauce.
9. Crispy Rice Paper Spring Rolls
Finding a gluten-free vegan meal that meat eaters also enjoy can feel like a challenge. These rolls are the exception.
The filling is a medley of bright bell peppers, sweet carrots, red cabbage, and fresh sprouts. You can give the veggies a quick stir-fry with soy sauce or just enjoy them raw. The rich hoisin tofu dipping sauce is essential here, so make a big batch.
10. Salmon in Crispy Rice Paper
These salmon rolls are so enticing that they might make you weak in the knees. You start by bathing the fish in a soy-based marinade and searing it on each side.
Wrap it up tight in rice paper with some green onions and pop it back in the pan. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth bite rich in flavor and Omega-3 fatty acids.