These crispy air fryer gnocchi are the ultimate quick and easy snack, appetizer, or side dish! 🥔✨ Crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection, they’re perfect for any occasion. Use frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable gnocchi—potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato—for a fuss-free, 15-minute recipe that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes with minimal prep.
- Ultra Crispy: Perfect golden edges with a soft, pillowy center.
- Customizable: Use any gnocchi—regular, cauliflower, sweet potato, or homemade.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, snack, salad topper, or side dish.
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly: Easily adapted by swapping parmesan with nutritional yeast.
Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi (shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen; potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato)
- 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 vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set to 390°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil spray.
- Season Gnocchi: In a large bowl, toss gnocchi with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parmesan. If using frozen gnocchi, do not thaw.
- Air Fry:
- Shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi: Air fry at 390°F for 11–14 minutes, shaking the basket every 4–5 minutes.
- Frozen gnocchi: Air fry at 390°F for 13–16 minutes, shaking every 4–5 minutes. Golden, crispy edges are key!
- Serve Immediately: Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve as a side dish, appetizer with marinara or pesto, or as crispy salad “croutons.”
Tips for Perfect Crispy Gnocchi
- Don’t Skip Preheating: Ensures even crisping.
- Shake the Basket: Every 4–5 minutes for uniform golden edges.
- Use Olive Oil: Helps achieve that perfect crispy texture.
- Vegan Option: Substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Homemade Gnocchi: Works beautifully—air fry for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Storage & Reheating
- Store: In an airtight container, gnocchi lasts up to 4 days in the fridge (without sauce).
- Reheat: Air fryer at 350°F for 4–6 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the exterior crunchy.
Serving Ideas
- As a Side: Pair with roasted chicken, tomato soup, or grilled vegetables.
- As an Appetizer: Serve with marinara, pesto, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- On Salads: Add crispy gnocchi as a vegan, gluten-free “crouton” for salads like Greek spinach salad or Caesar salad.
These crispy air fryer gnocchi are a game-changer—quick, versatile, and irresistible. Perfectly golden, pillowy, and seasoned just right, they’ll become a regular in your weekly meal rotation!
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