Air Fryer Pasta Croutons (Printer-friendly)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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)

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - Thoroughly pat the drained pasta dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, toss pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black 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, working in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until pasta pieces are golden brown and crunchy.
07 - Allow pasta croutons to cool completely before using as a salad topper or serving as a snack.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms plain pasta into a crispy, savory topping with just a drizzle of oil and a few pantry spices.
  • You can customize the flavor profile easily by swapping in smoked paprika, chili flakes, or your favorite herb blend.
  • It uses up leftover pasta or turns a quick boil into a crunchy snack that stores for days.
02 -
  • Skipping the drying step will leave you with chewy pasta instead of crunchy croutons, so take the extra minute to pat them dry.
  • Overcrowding the air fryer basket traps steam and prevents even crisping, so always work in batches if needed.
  • Letting them cool completely before sealing is crucial, or trapped moisture will soften them overnight.
03 -
  • Cook the pasta a full 2 minutes under the al dente time listed on the box, because it continues to firm up as it dries and crisps.
  • Shake the basket vigorously at the halfway mark and give any clumped pieces a gentle nudge with tongs to separate them.
  • Let them cool on a wire rack instead of a plate so air circulates underneath and they stay crispier longer.
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