Air Fryer Crispy Gnocchi (Printable)

Crunchy pasta shells tossed with herbs and air-fried for a savory, golden bite.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz medium pasta shells (conchiglie)

→ Oil & Seasonings

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or thyme)
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional for Serving

08 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Marinara sauce for dipping

# Method:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking. Pat completely dry with paper towels.
02 - Place cooled pasta in a large bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian herbs, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
04 - Place pasta shells in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until shells are crisp and golden brown.
06 - Transfer crispy pasta to a serving bowl. While hot, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns leftover pasta into something completely new and addictive
  • The outside gets shatteringly crisp while the inside stays just chewy enough
  • You can season it a hundred different ways depending on what youre craving
  • It cooks faster than waiting for the oven to preheat
02 -
  • Drying the cooked pasta completely is the difference between crispy and chewy, so dont rush this step
  • Shaking the basket halfway through prevents one side from burning while the other stays pale
  • If you skip the preheat, the shells take longer and can turn rubbery before they crisp
03 -
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check them at ten minutes to avoid burning the edges
  • Toss them with the Parmesan immediately after cooking so it melts slightly and sticks
  • Make a big batch on Sunday and use them as salad croutons all week
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