Crispy Cuban Sandwich, reinvented as a Rice Paper Spiral
This Crispy Cuban Sandwich Rice Paper Spiral is packed with roast pork, ham, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese, then baked until golden and crunchy.
Let's be super clear: A Cuban sandwich is one of those things that doesn’t need fixing.
Roast pork, ham, mustard, pickles, Swiss. Pressed until hot, crispy, and melty. It’s already doing everything right.
But every now and then, I like to take a flavor combo that people know and rebuild it in a totally different format. Rice paper is one of my latest favorite ingredients (spoiler: it can do way more than spring rolls), so I figured, why not try a Cuban Sandwich as a Rice Paper Spiral?
In case you've missed it: Rice Paper and I are building quite the friendship lately. I'm trying and loving just about everything I've tested with it: brunch-style rice paper spirals like my Bacon, Egg and Cheese and Croque Madame, dinner versions like Pepperoni Pizza, Big Mac, and Spanakopita, and even dessert spins like Pistachio Baklava.
This time, it became a Cubano. And wow, it defied even my highest expectations.
The rice paper bakes up insanely crisp while the inside stays loaded with pork, ham, melty cheese, and those punchy mustard and pickle flavors that make a Cuban sandwich so addictive.
Then the whole thing gets sliced like a pinwheel and dipped in a quick mojo-style yogurt sauce that brings citrus, garlic, and oregano into the mix.
If you love Cuban sandwiches and you love crispy bites, I'm warning you, this one is dangerously easy to demolish. If you want more ideas like this, you can browse all my Rice Paper Recipes here.
Why this Crispy Cuban Rice Paper Sandwich works
Three layers of rice paper create structure and crunch. Egg wash softens the rice paper and helps it crisp evenly. Rolling the filling into a spiral distributes cheese and meat in every slice. The citrusy mojo yogurt cuts the richness of the pork and cheese.
"Wow, this was amazing! It was so fun to eat one of my favorite sandwiches with a healthier twist"
- Jill (email subscriber)
Recipe
Crispy Cuban Sandwich Rice Paper Spiral
Video
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat: Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F with fan or convection if possible.
- Dip: Dip 1 rice paper sheet into 2 whisked eggs for 2 to 3 seconds and lay it flat.
- Layer rice paper: Dip the second and third rice paper sheets and overlap them slightly to form one long sheet.
- Add pork: Layer 4 to 5 slices roast pork over the ham.
- Add mustard: Drizzle yellow mustard across the entire surface.
- Add pickles: Scatter 3 tablespoons finely chopped pickles evenly.
- Add cheese: Cover edge to edge with ½ to ¾ cup shredded Swiss or mozzarella.
- Roll: Roll the rice paper tightly into a compact log.
- Spiral: Coil the log into a spiral and place it on greased parchment or in your air fryer basket.
- Season: Lightly spray with oil, brush the top with remaining egg wash, and sprinkle with 1 to 2 teaspoons barbecue seasoning.
- Cook: Bake or air fry for 15 to 20 minutes until deeply golden and crispy.
Notes
- Convection or an air fryer helps the rice paper crisp properly.
- If the spiral looks pale after 15 minutes, give it a few extra minutes in the oven to fully blister.
- Chop the pickles finely so the spiral rolls tightly and slices cleanly.
- Swiss is classic for Cuban sandwiches, but mozzarella melts beautifully too.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently Asked Questions for the Crispy Cuban Sandwich Rice Paper Spiral
High heat and airflow. Convection or an air fryer helps evaporate moisture quickly so the rice paper turns crisp instead of chewy.
Yes. You can make a ham and cheese version, or use leftover pulled pork or rotisserie chicken.
Swiss is the classic Cuban sandwich cheese. Mozzarella works well too because it melts smoothly and helps bind the spiral together.
You can assemble the spiral in advance and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Bake just before serving so the rice paper stays crisp.
Soooooo much! I love rice paper. If you're into this one, check out my Chicken Parm Rice Paper Spiral, my Big Mac Rice Paper Spiral, Pepperoni Pizza Rice Paper Apiral, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls...the list goes on.
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