Air Fryer Pasta Croutons (Print Version)

Crunchy air fried pasta bites seasoned for a flavorful salad topper or snack option.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups dried short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - Thoroughly pat the cooked pasta dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese if using, ensuring even coating.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Place the seasoned pasta in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crunchy.
07 - Allow pasta pieces to cool completely before using as a salad topping or snack.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They transform boring leftover pasta into something your guests will actually fight over.
  • Ready in under 25 minutes with minimal hands-on time, which means you can make them while prepping salad.
  • The crispy texture stays perfect for days when stored properly, making them great for meal prep.
02 -
  • Undercooking the pasta initially isn't optional—fully cooked pasta will turn hard and bitter in the air fryer, while al dente pasta becomes the perfect snappy crunch.
  • Your air fryer temperature might run hot or cool compared to another, so watch the first batch closely and adjust time accordingly for future batches.
03 -
  • If your pasta comes out chewy rather than crispy, you likely overcooked it initially or packed the basket too full—air circulation is everything.
  • A light mist of cooking spray before adding seasonings helps them crisp even faster, though it's not strictly necessary if your oil coating is even.
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