Description
This crispy air fryer gnocchi is an easy, beginner-friendly dish that takes less than 15 minutes to make. Golden and crunchy on the outside with a soft, pillowy center, it’s perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. No boiling required—just toss with seasonings and air fry for the crispiest gnocchi ever.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb gnocchi (shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen)
- 1-2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2-3 tbsp freshly grated parmesan (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 390°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the gnocchi: In a large mixing bowl, toss the gnocchi with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. If using frozen gnocchi, do not thaw it—season and cook straight from the freezer.
- Arrange in the air fryer basket: Place the gnocchi in a single layer with minimal overlapping. This allows for even crisping and prevents steaming.
- Air fry until golden: Cook at 390°F for 11-14 minutes for fresh or shelf-stable gnocchi, and 13-16 minutes for frozen gnocchi. Shake the basket every 4-5 minutes to ensure all sides cook evenly. The gnocchi is done when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the crispy gnocchi to a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan. Enjoy as a side, appetizer, or salad topping with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Don’t skip the oil: A light coating of oil ensures the gnocchi crisps up instead of drying out.
- Try different flavors: For an Italian twist, add Italian seasoning. For extra heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
- Reheating tip: Avoid the microwave—use the air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes to bring back the crunch.
- Serving ideas: Pair with marinara sauce, pesto, or use as a crispy topping for salads.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
- Method: Fryer
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 151 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 479mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 1mg