Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce – Light, Crisp & Easy to Make

There’s something wonderfully grounding about assembling fresh spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce. Laying out the rice paper, layering crunchy vegetables, soft noodles, and fragrant herbs-it’s a recipe that invites you to slow down, get a little tactile, and create something truly beautiful. These spring rolls are light and satisfying, cool and crisp, and paired with a creamy peanut dipping sauce that brings it all together.

If you love meals that are textural and nourishing, you might also enjoy the Lentil and Roasted Veggie Bowl or the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Whipped Feta-each packed with layers of flavor and made for mindful eating.

The textures are everything: soft rice paper, crisp veggies, chewy noodles, fresh herbs, and that nutty-salty-sweet sauce that keeps you going back for one more dip. Whether you’re prepping for lunch, hosting a DIY dinner party, or looking for a hands-on way to eat more fresh food, these rolls check every box.

And if you’re planning a spread or potluck-style meal, they pair beautifully with the Baked Boursin Tomato Dip for something warm, creamy, and totally complementary.

Think of them as part salad, part finger food, and fully satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These fresh spring rolls are more than just pretty-they’re functional, flexible, and full of flavor. Here’s why they’re always worth making:

✔️ No Cooking Required

Aside from boiling water for noodles (and even that’s optional), everything in this recipe is fresh and raw. It’s easy, clean, and naturally energizing.

✔️ Customizable Fillings

Use whatever veggies and proteins you love-lettuce, carrots, tofu, shrimp, avocado, cucumber-it all works.

✔️ Balanced in Texture and Flavor

Each bite is crisp, cool, soft, and chewy-with herbs for brightness and sauce for depth.

✔️ Visually Stunning

Rice paper lets the colorful fillings show through, making these rolls feel almost too pretty to eat.

✔️ Meal Prep & Picnic Friendly

Once rolled, they keep beautifully in the fridge and are perfect for packed lunches, outdoor spreads, or snack boards.

💡 Pro Tip – Don’t overstuff! Less is more with spring rolls. Keeping the filling light makes them easier to roll-and more enjoyable to eat.

Ingredients

For the Spring Rolls

• 8–10 rice paper wrappers

• 3 oz rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber

• 1 avocado, thinly sliced

• 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage

• ½ cup fresh mint leaves

• ½ cup fresh cilantro or Thai basil

• Optional: cooked shrimp, tofu, or tempeh

For the Peanut Dipping Sauce

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice

• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1–2 tbsp warm water (to thin)

• Optional: pinch of chili flakes or sriracha

Instructions

Making fresh spring rolls is a hands-on, creative process-equal parts assembling and enjoying. It’s not about perfection; it’s about layering colors, textures, and flavor in a way that feels nourishing and joyful.

1️⃣ Prepare the Fillings

Start by cooking the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse them with cold water and drain well.

Next, slice and prep all your vegetables, herbs, and optional protein (like tofu or shrimp). Set everything up assembly-line style on a large tray or cutting board. This makes the rolling process smooth and fun.

💡 Pro Tip – Cut vegetables into thin, even matchsticks for easier rolling and cleaner bites.

2️⃣ Make the Peanut Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar (or lime juice), maple syrup, and sesame oil. Add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a creamy, pourable consistency. Taste and adjust-more vinegar for tang, more syrup for sweetness, or a dash of chili flakes for heat.

3️⃣ Soften the Rice Paper Wrappers

Fill a wide, shallow bowl or dish with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for about 8–10 seconds-just until soft and flexible, but not too floppy.

Carefully transfer the softened wrapper to a clean, damp surface like a cutting board or tea towel. It will continue to soften as you assemble.

💡 If your wrapper gets too soft and sticky, start fresh-it’s part of the process.

4️⃣ Assemble the Spring Rolls

In the center of the wrapper, layer a small amount of noodles, veggies, herbs, and protein (if using). Don’t overfill-a modest bundle rolls much more easily.

Fold in the sides, then roll tightly from the bottom up, like a burrito. The rice paper will seal itself as you go.

💡 Start with your most colorful ingredients (like herbs, mango, or red cabbage) closest to the wrapper so they show through beautifully when rolled.

5️⃣ Repeat & Serve

Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients. Place finished rolls on a serving plate, and cover with a damp towel if not serving right away to prevent drying out.

Serve with the peanut dipping sauce on the side and garnish with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for a little extra flair.

These rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll keep in the fridge (wrapped tightly in a damp paper towel and plastic wrap) for up to 2 days.

Recipe Variations

One of the most beautiful things about fresh spring rolls is how customizable they are. You can change the fillings based on season, cravings, or what’s in your fridge-and the results are always vibrant, balanced, and completely satisfying. Here are some of our favorite variations:

🔸 Tropical Spring Rolls

Add mango or pineapple slices, fresh mint, and red bell pepper for a sweet, juicy twist. Serve with a coconut-lime dipping sauce or stick to the peanut sauce for a rich contrast.

Perfect for: warm weather lunches and colorful summer spreads.

🔸 Vegan Protein-Packed Rolls

Layer in marinated tofu, tempeh strips, or edamame with your veggies. These plant-powered versions are hearty and energizing without feeling heavy.

Perfect for: meal prep and meatless mains.

🔸 Shrimp + Avocado Rolls

Go classic Vietnamese-style with cooked shrimp (halved lengthwise), creamy avocado, lettuce, and fresh herbs like Thai basil. A squeeze of lime inside adds brightness.

Perfect for: date nights, special occasions, or elegant appetizers.

🔸 Rainbow Crunch Rolls

Use a mix of purple cabbage, carrots, red pepper, yellow mango, and leafy greens for a full-color spectrum inside your wrap. Eye-catching and packed with texture.

Perfect for: dinner parties or make-your-own roll stations.

🔸 Spicy Peanut or Hoisin Twist

Add sriracha or chili paste to your peanut sauce, or swap it for a hoisin-lime dipping sauce with a dash of garlic and sesame.

Perfect for: bold palates and flavor-forward moments.

🔸 No-Noodle Rolls

Skip the vermicelli for a lighter version and double down on crunchy lettuce, cucumber, and bell pepper. Add a nut butter drizzle inside the roll for a surprise creamy bite.

Perfect for: low-carb or ultra-fresh variations.

💡 Pro Tip – Set up a “spring roll bar” for gatherings. Lay out all the fillings, softened wrappers, and sauces so guests can roll their own. It’s interactive, beautiful, and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These answers will keep your rolls tight, your wrappers soft, and your sauce perfectly creamy.

Can I make spring rolls ahead of time❓

Yes-but cover them with a damp towel and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

What’s the best way to keep rice paper from tearing❓

Don’t soak it too long. About 10 seconds in warm water is plenty-it continues to soften as you assemble.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter❓

Absolutely. Almond or sunflower seed butter works well in the dipping sauce, just adjust the thickness with water or lime juice.

Are these gluten-free❓

Yes, as long as you use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.

Can I serve them without noodles❓

Yes! You can leave out the noodles for a lower-carb version and use more greens or extra veggies.

Conclusion – Light, Layered, and Full of Fresh Flavor

These fresh spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce are more than just a recipe-they’re a beautiful ritual. A way to bring color, texture, and life to your plate. They’re nourishing without being heavy, vibrant without being complicated, and delicious without needing much at all.

Whether you’re enjoying them solo, serving them to guests, or making a weeknight feel like something special, these rolls deliver cool, crisp calm in every bite.

💡 Because food that’s beautiful, fresh, and fun to eat just hits different.

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