Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
This crispy air fryer gnocchi is golden, crunchy on the outside, and pillowy on the inside—ready in under 20 minutes! Whether you use shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen gnocchi, this is a fast, delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy texture, soft center – the perfect combo!
Quick & easy – done in under 20 minutes with minimal prep.
Customizable – works with regular, cauliflower, or sweet potato gnocchi.
Diet-friendly – easy to make gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
Great for meal prep – toss onto salads, into bowls, or enjoy as a snack!
Ingredients
0.5 lb gnocchi (shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen – regular, cauliflower, or sweet potato)
0.5 to 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
0.25 tsp garlic powder
0.25 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
1 to 1.5 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F and lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
In a large bowl, toss gnocchi with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parmesan.
If using frozen gnocchi, do not thaw.
Add seasoned gnocchi to the air fryer basket. Try to avoid overlapping for max crispiness.
Shelf-stable/Refrigerated gnocchi: Air fry at 390°F for 11–14 minutes, shaking every 4–5 minutes, until golden and crispy.
Frozen gnocchi: Air fry at 390°F for 13–16 minutes, shaking every 4–5 minutes, until crisp and golden.
Helpful Tips
Do not thaw frozen gnocchi — this keeps it from turning mushy.
Shake the basket regularly to ensure even crisping.
Add herbs or spices like smoked paprika or Italian seasoning for a twist.
Want it vegan? Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
Serve with marinara, pesto, or a creamy dip as an appetizer—or on top of salads as “croutons.”
Pairing Ideas
Pair your crispy gnocchi with:
Balsamic feta-stuffed chicken breasts
Cauliflower leek potato soup
Grilled Greek yogurt chicken
Healthy tomato soup
