Rainbow Summer Rolls

Name: Rainbow Summer Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 8-10 rice spring roll wrappers; 4 oz vermicelli rice noodles; 1 tsp blue spirulina; 1 seeded cucumber, cut into matchsticks; 1 peeled carrot, cut into matchsticks; 1 ½ cups finely shredded purple cabbage; 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips; 1 ripe peeled mango, cut into thin strips; ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons tamari; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 2 tablespoons agave; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; ¼ cup hot water, as needed; 1 teaspoon Sriracha or chili garlic sauce, optional; Chopped peanuts, for topping, optional

Rainbow summer rolls served with peanut-ginger dipping sauce are a fresh, light, and colorful veggie-packed dish!

This recipe is one of my favorites from my new book, Feed Your Chakras. It’s also a great warm weather meal (hence the summer roll!) because it involves very little cooking and is packed with bright, fresh veggies. And since it’s pretty much always hot in Hawaii, I make these often.

These rainbow summer rolls get served with a savory peanut-ginger dipping sauce, which is addictive. You may want to pour it on everything, and I won’t stop you.

What Is a Summer Roll?

Summer rolls are also known as “fresh spring rolls” or Vietnamese spring rolls and consist of a variety of fresh ingredients wrapped in rice paper. The most common fillings are fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, lettuce), vermicelli noodles, shrimp, fresh herbs (mint, cilantro), and even fruit such as mango. These rolls are served with a dipping sauce that is typically peanut-, fish sauce-, or hoisin-based (and we have a delicious version below!).

Spring Roll vs. Summer Roll

I find that a lot of people are actually not familiar with summer rolls and know only of their cousin: the fried spring roll. Both the summer and spring roll can have similar ingredients, but summer rolls are not fried and are served cold. Summer rolls are also filled with cooked ingredients, since they are ready-to-eat, so noodles, shrimp, or pork is pre-cooked separately before filling.

how to roll fresh spring rolls in rice paper wrappers

How to Make Fresh Spring Rolls

Making summer rolls from scratch is relatively simple. It requires minimal cooking, but involves a fair amount of thinly slicing ingredients and the actual rolling part can be tricky at first. But once you get the hang of it, they’re very fun to make. (And remember: They don’t have to look pretty to be delicious!)

To make summer rolls, you’ll need to:

Prep and chop all ingredients into matchsticks, or thin strips.
Make a simple peanut dipping sauce.
Prepare the vermicelli noodles (we dye ours with blue spirulina to make the rainbow rolls rainbow!).
Soak rice paper in water for 15 seconds until soft and pliable.
Fill the rice paper with the prepared ingredients and then gently, but tightly roll.

Rainbow Summer Roll Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Vietnamese spring rolls:

Fresh Produce

cucumber
carrot
purple cabbage
red bell pepper
mango
fresh cilantro
lime
fresh ginger

Pantry

rice spring roll wrappers
vermicelli rice noodles
blue spirulina
creamy peanut butter
rice vinegar
sesame oil
tamari
agave
Sriracha or chili garlic sauce, optional
peanuts, optional

All of these ingredients can be found at your local grocer or Amazon (links above to my favorites), but you may have difficulty finding blue spiurlina. Blue spirulina can be found at Whole Foods or Amazon, but it is also optional here. You don’t need to dye the noodles blue, but they definitely make more of a “wow” factor for the rainbow rolls. The taste will not be affected.

rainbow summer rolls are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free

What to Serve With Summer Rolls

You may want to serve these rainbow summer rolls with a protein to ensure a well-balanced meal. Shrimp, pork, chicken, tofu, and salmon would all work wonderfully.

Here are some other tasty recipes to serve with fresh spring rolls:

Summer Rolls Recipe FAQ

Are summer rolls healthy?

Summer rolls are light and healthy. They are made with fresh ingredients like vegetables, herbs, shrimp, and vermicelli noodles, all wrapped in low-calorie rice paper. To make them a low-fat option, consider serving with a light dipping sauce instead of a peanut sauce.

How to store summer rolls?

To store summer rolls, wrap them individually in plastic wrap to prevent sticking, then place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften the rice paper.

What to put in summer rolls?

You can fill summer rolls with any combination of fresh or cooked ingredients. Popular options include cucumber, carrot, mango, shredded cabbage, cilantro, cooked shrimp, and vermicelli noodles.

Are summer rolls gluten-free?

Summer rolls are typically gluten-free. They are made with rice paper, rice noodles, and a variety of fresh, naturally gluten-free ingredients. However, be cautious with dipping sauces, as some may contain fish or soy sauce with gluten. It’s best to make your own dipping sauce and use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.

How many calories are in a summer roll?

A fresh spring roll typically contains 100-200 calories per roll on average (with sauce). However, this can vary based on ingredients used and the amount of dipping sauce used. Dipping sauces are usually higher in calories and fat, so consider using sparingly or opting for a lighter sauce if you are watching your caloric intake.