Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls with Peanut Sauce | Easy Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe
These rainbow veggie rice paper rolls with peanut sauce are light, vibrant, and packed with fresh veggies and herbs. Paired with creamy peanut sauce, they make the perfect healthy appetizer, lunch, or party dish. Naturally gluten-free and customizable!
Ingredients
For the Rolls:
- 12 rice paper wrappers
- 1 red bell pepper julienned
- 1 yellow bell pepper julienned
- 1 medium carrot julienned
- 1 small cucumber julienned
- 1 cup purple cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 ripe avocado sliced
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ cup Thai basil leaves optional
- Cooked vermicelli noodles optional
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- 2-3 tablespoons warm water to thin
- Optional: 1 teaspoon grated ginger or garlic
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls with Peanut Sauce
- Use the Right Water Temperature: When softening your rice paper wrappers, use warm water—not hot. Too-hot water can make the wrappers overly soft and prone to tearing. For perfectly pliable rainbow veggie rice paper rolls with peanut sauce, aim for about 110°F.
- Layer Your Ingredients Thoughtfully: For the most beautiful rainbow vegetable spring rolls, place your most colorful veggies like purple cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers down first on the rice paper. This way, their vibrant colors will show through once the rolls are assembled.
- Don’t Skip the Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and Thai basil are what elevate your veggie summer rolls from good to great. They add an aromatic punch that perfectly complements the crisp veggies and creamy peanut sauce.
- Thin Your Peanut Sauce Just Right: The ideal dipping consistency for your peanut sauce for rainbow veggie rice paper rolls should be pourable but not watery. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time and whisk thoroughly until you reach that creamy texture perfect for dipping.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rolling vegetable rice paper rolls gets easier with practice! The key is not to overfill and to gently tuck and roll, keeping a firm but light touch.
- Mix Up the Fillings: Keep your healthy veggie rice paper rolls recipe interesting by rotating fillings. Try adding julienned mango for sweetness, tofu or shrimp for protein, or even thinly sliced apples for a crisp twist. Your colorful veggie rolls can evolve with the seasons.
- Serve Fresh: Rainbow veggie rice paper rolls with peanut sauce are best enjoyed the day they are made, when the rice paper is soft and the veggies are crisp. If making ahead, store with a damp paper towel to maintain their texture.
- Make It a Meal: For a light and refreshing meal, serve these gluten-free rainbow vegetable rolls alongside a simple salad, jasmine rice, or a bowl of miso soup.