Air Fryer Pasta Gnocchi (Printable)

Crunchy, golden pasta shells coated with herbs and spices, cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To:

01 - Boil pasta shells in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to halt cooking, then dry thoroughly with paper towels.
02 - Toss cooled pasta shells with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
04 - Place pasta shells in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until shells are crisp and golden brown.
06 - Transfer to a bowl and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley if using. Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Turns plain pasta into crunchy, golden bites that vanish faster than chips
  • Takes less than half an hour from start to finish, no complicated steps
  • Completely customizable with whatever spices or toppings you have around
  • Makes you look like a genius when guests ask what these are
02 -
  • Drying the pasta completely after cooking is the secret to getting them truly crispy instead of chewy
  • Shaking the basket halfway through makes all the difference in even browning and prevents burnt spots
  • These lose their crunch quickly once they cool, so serve them immediately for the best texture
03 -
  • Let the cooked pasta air dry on a towel for 10 minutes before tossing with oil for maximum crispiness
  • A light spray of cooking oil halfway through air frying can boost the golden color even more
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 3 minutes to bring back the crunch
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