Air fryer gnocchi is a quick, easy, and delicious air fryer potato recipe, it makes a fantastic dinner, snack, or appetizer. The gnocchi is crispy on the outside yet, fluffy on the inside. With a few pantry staple ingredients, you can have this air-fried potato gnocchi from your air fryer to the table in 15 minutes.
Serve it with marinara sauce as an appetizer or as a complete dish tossed in a creamy or tomato-based sauce of choice.
Air Fryer Gnocchi recipe
Gnocchi makes delicious comfort food any time of the year they are so easy to make from scratch, but they can take a little time and patience. That said, most supermarkets offer good quality ready-made shelf-life stable gnocchi or fresh gnocchi in their fresh pasta section in vacuum-sealed packs or frozen! So no need to start making yours from scratch except you feel like it.
Air fried gnocchi is easy, mess-free, and makes cooking up dinner after a long day a fun task. Crispy gnocchi only takes a few minutes and you’ll get a perfect dish every single time when using this air-fried gnocchi recipe.
Feel free to go for cauliflower gnocchi from your favorite store or the traditional potato gnocchi, both are delicious and easy to do in the air fryer.
Why you will love this recipe
- Using ready-made storebought cauliflower or potato gnocchi take at least 1 hour of prep off your hands: hello quick and easy dinner! Cooking gnocchi in the air fryer is a satisfying way to whip up an easy fancy lunch, snack or light dinner for yourself if you’re in a hurry or for your friends who are coming over. All you need is a few ingredients to make yourself a delicious potato dish in the air fryer just 15 minutes!
- This recipe can be customized to your taste, if you have a sauce or seasoning you prefer to use, feel free to do so! Check out the tips and variations below for more information.
- You can cook all types of gnocchi in the air fryer, shelf-stable, fresh or frozen, the air fryer cooks it so crispy like you pan-fried it, in fact, you may never go back to cooking it on the stove after using the air fryer.
Tools needed
Air fryer: this recipe was tested in Cosori 5.5L (1700W) and Instant Vortex air fryer 5.7L (1700W)
Large bowl
Ingredients
Shelf-stable gnocchi: potato, cauliflower, or any other kind of gnocchi works
Olive oil
Dried oregano
Dried parsley
Basil substitute with thyme
Onion granules substitute with onion powder
Garlic granules substitute with garlic powder
Parmesan cheese freshly grated off a block
Salt and pepper to taste
How to cook air fryer gnocchi
Preheat the air fryer to 200ºC / 400ºF for 3-5 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a mixing bowl, combine gnocchi, thyme, parsley, oregano, onion granules, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper and mix to combine making sure the gnocchi is well coated. If you find your gnocchi too dry, feel free to add another tablespoon of oil and toss again. Taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Spray air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the seasoned gnocchi in the air fryer basket and air fry for a total of 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 minutes to encourage even cooking and crisping of all sides of the gnocchi.
Once the gnocchi is crispy, sizzling, and golden, it is ready to serve! Serve with marinara sauce or with a fresh drizzle of olive oil, a fresh crack of black pepper, and a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or parmesan cheese. Pair with some wine and enjoy!
Variations
- Changing up this recipe is as easy as simply swapping out the sauce. Feel free to make your own seasoning by adding different herbs and spices to the oil before cooking in the air fryer. Here are my favorite combinations, I love this potato seasoning from the dinner bite.
- Smoked Paprika, onion granules, and a dash of chili for a smokey and spicy blend.
- Garlic powder, and salt with fresh chopped basil after cooking.
- Replace the olive oil with butter and add chopped or dried sage, and top with a fresh zest of lemon after air frying.
Tips
If you're only making gnocchi to add to already made sauce, cook it for only 2 minutes in the air fryer; it will be soft and fluffy, similar to if you boiled it.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket: to get the crispiest air fryer gnocchi, make sure you are only cooking in single layers. I tend to cook about 1 packet at a time which is 500g (about half a pound). If you overcrowd the pan, the gnocchi may not be as crispy and golden and may steam!
Less is more: be simple with your seasoning and don’t go crazy with the oil or you may end up with gnocchi that’s absorbed it all!
Add a piece of parchment paper to line your air fryer basket: this helps to reduce the mess.
How to store
You can easily make the gnocchi and seasoning mix in a large quantity in advance. Store it in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days before cooking, and air fry as much as you need whenever you want because it’s so quick and easy.
You can also cook in advance and only reheat the gnocchi in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 180C / 360F. Cooked gnocchi can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days once cooled in an air-tight container.
Watch how to make it
FAQs
How to long cook gnocchi in air fryer
The sweet spot is 10-12 minutes, but you can go up to 12-15 minutes if you want them extra crispy and a little more golden brown. Do keep an eye out if you choose to cook it longer than recommended so that it doesn't burn. Especially the seasoning as that can make it bitter and you don't want that.
Can I substitute potato gnocchi for cauliflower gnocchi?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any kind you like. These days, gnocchi can be made with anything: cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, or a mix of cauliflower/potato with spinach, beetroot, or any other vegetable. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Do I need to boil gnocchi before air frying
No, this step is unnecessary because it will cook fully inside the air fryer! Boiling gnocchi before air frying may result in a mushy dish.
What to put on gnocchi
Simple is best, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or brown butter, an extra handful of parmesan or freshly chopped herbs, and a squeeze of lemon juice (or lemon zest) will turn this simple dish into a fancy plate in no time! You could also toss it in some homemade marinara sauce, pesto sauce, tomato sauce, or creamy gorgonzola sauce, so delicious!
More recipes you will love
If you made this easy air fryer potato recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag us @cravingsmallbites on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest
Air Fryer Gnocchi
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 500 g shelf-stable gnocchi potato cauliflower or any other kind of gnocchi works
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil sub with thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200ºC / 400ºF for 3-5 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- In a mixing bowl, combine gnocchi, thyme, parsley, oregano, onion granules, garlic granules, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper and mix to combine making sure the gnocchi is well coated. If you find your gnocchi too dry, feel free to add another teaspoon of oil and toss again. Taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the seasoned gnocchi in the air fryer basket and air fry for a total of 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 minutes to encourage even cooking and crisping of all sides of the gnocchi.
- Once the gnocchi is crispy, sizzling, and golden, it is ready to serve! Serve with marinara sauce or with a fresh drizzle of olive oil, a fresh crack of black pepper, and a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or parmesan cheese. Pair with some wine and enjoy!
Notes
- If you're only making gnocchi to add to already made sauce, cook it for only 2 minutes in the air fryer; it will be soft and fluffy, similar to if you boiled it.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket: to get the crispiest air fryer gnocchi, make sure you are only cooking in single layers. I tend to cook about 1 packet at a time which is 500g (about half a pound). If you overcrowd the pan, the gnocchi may not be as crispy and golden and may steam!
- Less is more: be simple with your seasoning and don’t go crazy with the oil or you may end up with gnocchi that’s absorbed it all!
- Add a piece of parchment paper to line your air fryer basket: this helps to reduce the mess.
Leave a Reply