Tofu Spring Rolls With Spicy Lime-Peanut Dipping Sauce

When you hear "spring roll," you might think of the deep-fried variety made famous by Chinese takeout joints, but today we're sharing a Vietnamese vegetable spring rolls recipe for a much lighter, plant-based, and deliciously made with soft rice paper wraps instead. 

Finding simple vegan lunches that don't require much prep-work is critical. While we love beans, we get tired of eating them day after day. Though there are plenty of options, it's hard to completely disguise the taste and texture of beans and chickpeas in any dish. 

When you’re ready for a change of protein, these veggie spring rolls are one of the best go-to meals.

Fresh veggies, vibrant herbs like mint and cilantro, and pan-fried tofu get wrapped up in a soft rice paper and served with a rich peanut sauce - these rolls are a legitimate flavor explosion in your mouth!

Follow our simple recipe below and enjoy your fresh Vietnamese spring rolls with tofu. 

What is a spring roll?

Fresh spring rolls, also called summer rolls, are a commonly enjoyed Vietnamese dish made with fresh veggies, herbs, and protein (usually shrimp or tofu.) 

These rolls are generally wrapped in a soft rice paper wrapper, like a mini Asian burrito, and served with all sorts of delicious dipping sauce. 

Vietnamese spring roll recipe FAQ

Keep reading for a little extra guidance on preparing these delicious vegan spring rolls!

Do I need to press the tofu?

The tofu pressing step is crucial to the preparation process, and skipping it is where most people go wrong - unpressed tofu remains soggy, no matter how long you cook it. 

We love using a tofu press like this to make pressing a quick, 15-minute process. If you don't own a press, you can also place your tofu block wrapped in a few pieces of paper towel between two heavy plates or between cutting boards with a heavyweight on top. Leave your tofu to press for 2-3 hours minimum using this method. 

Can I use another type of tofu?

You can use either firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe, as they both have a lower water content that's ideal for pan-frying. 

Unfortunately, substituting silken, soft, or even regular tofu doesn't work in this recipe, as their high water content makes them a soggy, crumbly mess. 

Are spring rolls gluten-free?

Yes! This vegetarian spring rolls recipe is entirely gluten-free, as both the vermicelli noodles and rice papers are rice-based and gluten-free. If you have a gluten allergy, it's still a great idea to check your labels closely, as some brands may add in unsuitable ingredients from time to time. 

Are spring rolls healthy?

Vietnamese fresh spring rolls are incredibly healthy for you - they're full of veggies, lean protein, and low-calorie rice rolls. 

Crispy spring rolls that you get in Chinese takeout are pretty unhealthy as they're deep-fried in a ton of oil and served with sugar-laden dipping sauces. Stick to the fresh ones, which honestly taste better, anyway. 

Are there any other dipping sauces for spring rolls I can use?

Don't like spring roll peanut sauce? No worries! You can substitute another nut butter in your peanut sauce for spring rolls instead, like almond or cashew. 

Or, you can use a different sauce flavor all together! Here are two other types of spring roll sauce you can substitute instead.

Sweet and spicy dip sauce for spring rolls

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. rice vinegar
• 1/2 c. + 1 Tbsp water
• 1/4 c. coconut sugar
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 red chili, finely chopped, or 1 Tbsp dried red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, 1/2 c. water, sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Cook the sauce ingredients over medium heat and stir well to dissolve the coconut sugar. 
2. In a small-sized mixing bowl, use a fork to whisk together the 1 Tbsp of water and 2 tsp arrowroot powder. Whisk the mixture until combined well. Slowly drizzle the mixture into the saucepan and continue to cook until the sauce thickens. It's ready when a dipped spoon comes out well-coated. 
3. Remove the sauce from heat and serve!

Yum sauce for spring rolls

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. mayo
• 1 Tbsp ketchup
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1-2 Tbsp water

Directions

1. In a small-sized mixing bowl, combine all of your sauce ingredients - mayo, ketchup, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, sea salt, and water. 
2. Whisk the mixture until well-combined, then taste and add more salt to taste. If desired, thin with another Tbsp of water. 

Final notes: Vietnamese tofu spring rolls

These spring rolls have such a deliciously fresh taste, and as such, they're best when fresh. 

You can leave them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for a day or two, but the rice paper will firm up, even when stored in the fridge under a damp towel. 

Stick to eating these rolls as fast as possible, but once you taste them, making them disappear will be easy work!