Air Fryer Gnocchi
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Air Fryer Gnocchi is an incredibly easy weeknight dinner recipe! I use shelf-stable, packaged gnocchi, a bit of olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and a handful of simple seasonings to create crispy, golden results. The whole thing is ready in about 10 minutes… leaving you plenty of time to heat up your sauce of choice!
Air Fryer Gnocchi
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, and honestly… during the week it shouldn’t be!
That’s why I lean on my air fryer a LOT on busy weeknights, especially throughout the school year.
I’m busy, my husband is busy, and my daughter has activities out the wazoo. It’s a really fun season of our lives, but boy, oh boy it can be tiring!!
That’s where dishes like air fryer gnocchi really come in handy.
All you need to do is open the package, toss in a bit of oil and seasonings and some parm, and air fry the gnocchi for about 15 minutes top.
While they cook I typically heat up some marinara or pesto and maybe I’ll whip up a vegetable or two. Voila, dinner is served!
If you, like me, have a tendency to run around a lot during the week, my gnocchi in the air fryer recipe is about to save dinner!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Gnocchi – Make sure to use shelf-stable, dry gnocchi, not the kind you find in the refrigerated or freezer section!
Head to the pasta aisle instead. Dry gnocchi can be found at most grocery stores and typically comes in 1-pound packages.
- Olive Oil – You only need a bit thanks to the air fryer! Use canola, vegetable, or avocado oil if you don’t want to use olive oil.
- Parmesan – Do yourself a favor and buy a big wedge to grate yourself. It has such a better flavor than pre-grated options!
- Seasonings – A simple combination of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper is all you need to air fry gnocchi!
Tips and Tricks to Perfectly Air Fry Gnocchi
- Preheat the air fryer!
Don’t skip this important step! You need the air fryer to be preheated to 400°F to ensure these dumplings cook evenly — and become crispy and golden on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
If yours doesn’t have a preheat setting, let it run at 400°F for 4-5 minutes before adding the gnocchi.
- No need to parboil.
The beauty of the air fryer is that you can add the gnocchi directly to the basket without needing to boil it first!
Simply place them in straight from the package. In fact, if you parboil them first they may go mushy, so be sure to air fry gnocchi from dry.
- But you do need to add oil!
Some air fryer recipes don’t require any oil at all (another reason to invest in one if you haven’t already!), but you do need to add a few tablespoons for this air fried gnocchi recipe.
Toss them in the oil and the seasonings before adding them to the basket and you’ll get those crispy results I mentioned!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
You need to make sure there’s enough room for the hot air to circulate and cook the gnocchi!
I used my 7-quart air fryer and had plenty of space, but if your air fryer is smaller, it’s better to air fry in batches.
- Shake, shake, shake it!
Be sure to shake that air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes — these guys need a little bit of help in order to get the crispiest, most golden-brown results ever.
Shaking will allow the gnocchi to turn without you having to go in with tongs and turn each one, one-by-one. It also helps make sure they aren’t sticking to the basket!
Prep Ahead
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve air fryer gnocchi with warm marinara sauce — I also like it with pesto! You could try it with my Pomodoro sauce and roasted tomato sauce too.
Otherwise, they taste great with a bit of butter and extra Parmesan cheese on top!
Make it a meal and pair with my famous Roasted Garlic Skillet Bread and some grilled asparagus, roasted broccoli, or crispy Brussels sprouts!
Storing and Reheating Air Fried Gnocchi
Store leftover air fried gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 5-6 minutes to reheat.
You can also freeze gnocchi from the air fryer. Allow them to cool to room temperature, then place on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Flash-freeze for about 2 hours, then place the frozen gnocchi in a freezer-safe bag.
When you’re ready to use, you can air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes directly from frozen!
Gnocchi Air Fryer FAQ
Yes! As mentioned, before you air fry gnocchi, you need to add a bit of oil. A few tablespoons are all you’ll need to help them crisp up and prevent them from sticking to the basket.
Absolutely — I encourage you to! Toss them in garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil before air frying to get flavorful results.
Nope! Whether pan frying in a skillet or air frying, no need to pre or parboil your gnocchi. That said, if you plan to use your skillet and want softer results, you could boil them for a few minutes before frying.
With your air fryer of course! There are many ways to cook it — boiling, frying, and even baking — and I like the texture of air fried gnocchi best.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Air Fryer Gnocchi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound shelf-stable dry gnocchi, 1 packet
- 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, let it run for 4-5 minutes before adding the gnocchi.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring the gnocchi is evenly coated in the oil and seasonings.
- Add the seasoned gnocchi in a single layer to the air fryer basket and cook for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket every 3-4 minutes or until the gnocchi is golden brown.
- Serve immediately topped with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2024
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This air fryer gnocchi is so easy and delicious! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Hi Everly!
We’re so glad you enjoyed.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn