Description
These Rice Paper Shrimp Rolls are a fresh and healthy Vietnamese appetizer featuring tender cooked shrimp, vermicelli rice noodles, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs all wrapped in delicate rice paper. Easy to prepare with no cooking required, they are perfect for a light snack or party platter, served with peanut or hoisin dipping sauce for added flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Paper Rolls
- 12 rice paper wrappers
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 cup cooked vermicelli rice noodles
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or napa cabbage
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1/2 cucumber, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (optional)
- warm water, for soaking wrappers
Dipping Sauce
- Peanut or hoisin dipping sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Soften Rice Paper Wrappers: Fill a large shallow dish or pie plate with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for about 10–15 seconds until it becomes just pliable but not too soft. Carefully remove and lay it flat on a clean, dry surface.
- Add Fillings: In the lower third of the softened rice paper wrapper, layer a small handful of cooked vermicelli rice noodles, followed by a few pieces of shredded lettuce or napa cabbage, julienned carrot, julienned cucumber, and fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and Thai basil if using.
- Arrange Shrimp: Place 2 to 3 shrimp halves, pink side down, just above the vegetables on the rice paper. This creates an attractive appearance once rolled.
- Roll the Wrapper: Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper up over the filling, then fold in the sides snugly. Continue rolling tightly toward the top edge, similar to a burrito, ensuring the fillings stay secure inside.
- Repeat: Repeat the soaking and filling process with the remaining rice paper wrappers and ingredients until all rolls are assembled.
- Serve: Serve the rolls immediately with your favorite peanut or hoisin dipping sauce. If not serving right away, cover the finished rolls with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
Notes
- Cover finished rolls with a damp towel if not serving immediately to prevent them from drying out.
- You can add avocado, mango, or bell pepper for extra flavor and texture variations.
- For a spicy kick, mix sriracha sauce into your dipping sauce.
