Air Fryer Pasta Gnocchi (Printable)

Crunchy pasta shells seasoned with herbs, air fried to golden perfection for a tasty snack.

# 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 Steps:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta shells according to package directions until just al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the dried pasta shells with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian herbs, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
04 - Place the seasoned pasta shells in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Air fry the pasta shells for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Transfer the crispy pasta shells to a serving bowl. While still hot, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns ordinary pantry pasta into something crunchy, savory, and totally addictive in under half an hour.
  • You can season them any way you like, from garlicky and herby to spicy or cheesy, making them endlessly customizable.
  • They work as a snack, appetizer, or even a crispy salad topping, so you always have a reason to make them.
02 -
  • Drying the cooked pasta thoroughly is the most important step, any water left on the shells will turn them soggy instead of crispy.
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through, it's the only way to get an even golden color on all sides without flipping each shell by hand.
03 -
  • Let the cooked pasta sit on a clean kitchen towel for a few minutes after patting dry, it pulls out even more moisture and guarantees maximum crunch.
  • If you want them extra garlicky, toss the hot shells with a little melted butter and fresh minced garlic right after air frying instead of using powder.
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