These crispy air fryer gnocchi are ready in less than 15 minutes, this clever twist on traditional gnocchi is crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. They taste surprisingly great on their own – they are a great option as a snack or an appetizer, especially if you serve them with a little marinara sauce. But in our house, you’re more likely to find them classing up an easy dinner or served as a side dish with chicken and a salad.
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These crispy air fryer gnocchi are a game changer. It takes a lot of conviction to make such a bold declaration. And yet, here I am. For the longest time, I would make prepackaged gnocchi and it didn’t matter how well I followed the package cooking instructions. Each time I ended up disappointed, with gummy and mushy potato dumplings.
You’d think I’d have given up. But I’m stubborn and the allure of gnocchi was just too strong.
Anyway, this is my new favorite way to eat gnocchi (and the whole family loves it). The instant pot/air fryer combo usually sits on my kitchen counter anyway, and I love that I can crank out a couple of packages in the time it takes me to prep a simple sauce.
And something magical happens when you toss these puppies in a sauce. The potato starch does its thing and thickens everything and it all gets coated in sauce. They turn slightly chewy. It’s perfect.
As I tested this air fryer gnocchi recipe, I quickly realized I’m not the only one out there trying to sidestep the package instructions for gnocchi. I found several pan-fried recipes out there as well with the same concept. Skip the pot of boiling water and cook gnocchi in olive oil long enough for them to turn into golden brown nuggets. Set aside. Make sauce, and toss everything together at the end.
Anyway, don’t take my word for it. Give it a try for yourself and let me know what you think!
Here’s What You’ll Need for Air-Fried Gnocchi
Gnocchi: For this recipe, we’re using a regular old pack of shelf-stable gnocchi, which you can find in most grocery stores. Alternatively you can even use Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi. However, I wouldn’t make this using homemade fresh gnocchi, as would likely need to be prepared differently.
Olive oil: We’re using a bit of olive oil to toss the gnocchi in and help create a nice crispy exterior in the air fryer. Alternatively you can use avocado oil or any cooking oil.
Garlic powder: I love fresh garlic, but I don’t love burnt, fresh garlic. So because this is going to essentially fry for 10 minutes, we’re going to pack a little flavor into this recipe using powdered garlic.
Salt ‘n’ Pepper: To season.
How to Make Air Fryer Gnocchi the Easy Way
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees f for 5-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss gnocchi with oil, garlic, salt and black pepper.
- Dump into the air fryer basket. (The best way is in a single layer, but when I don’t have time to cook a double batch, separately, I just do everything together, adding a few minutes to the cook time and compromising some of the crispiness for speed.)
- Cook for 12-14 minutes, air frying until crispy. For best results, stir at least once during the cook time.
Want to get your kids involved? This is especially easy to do in this recipe. Have little chefs as young as 2-4 toss the gnocchi in the oil and seasonings. This sensory activity is a great way to build curiosity about the food they are eating and gives you the opportunity to talk about textures, smells and flavors in the kitchen.
Variations of Crispy Gnocchi to Try
Reduce salt by half and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Bonus? The cheese is going to get all crispy, golden and enhance this gnocchi with its sharp, nutty flavors.
Toss them with your favorite seasonings. Try adding a little oregano, basil or chili powder if you’re going to serve these as an appetizer. (Since these usually go into a pasta sauce at our house, I tend to keep things simple.)
Serving Suggestions
- Toss in your favorite sauce. Mushroom cream, kale pesto, alfredo sauce, a more traditional tomato sauce, etc. You can use it in this flavorful, weeknight Lemon Gnocchi recipe if you need a little inspiration!
- Serve it as a quick snack. You’ll love the parmesan ones dipped in a little of your favorite marinara sauce.
- Double the recipe. If you are serving 4 hungry eaters gnocchi as a main course, you’ll want to double this recipe.
- Don’t forget the salad! Since gnocchi for dinner can be filling, it’s nice to round everything out with a light salad. (Try tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and this honey mustard dressing.)
Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi in Under 15 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 package gnocchi 1 lb
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees f for 5-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss gnocchi with oil, garlic, salt and black pepper.
- Dump into the air fryer basket. (The best way is in a single layer, but when I don’t have time to cook a double batch, separately, I just do everything together, adding a few minutes to the cook time and compromising some of the crispiness for speed.)
- Cook for 12-14 minutes, air frying until crispy. For best results, stir at least once during the cook time.
