Air Fryer Gnocchi

This recipe for Air Fryer Gnocchi makes the perfect crispy gnocchi that is light and fluffy inside but golden and crispy outside.

The best thing about this recipe is that you can use any type of gnocchi to make it, it can be frozen, shelf stable or any cauliflower gnocchi. It just takes 10 to 15 minutes and is perfect as an easy to make dish and can be paired with a lot of different sauces like pesto or marinara. Trust me when I say that this recipe for cooking gnocchi in an air-fryer is versatile and you can make this as an appetizer, a side dish or even a snack!

Why This Air Fried Gnocchi is Perfect!

  • The gnocchi is ready to go in just 15 minutes!
  • The best snack if you are craving something light, fried and crispy!
  • It is absolutely light and fluffy inside but golden and crispy outside.
  • The spice seasoning hits the spot every single time!
  • It can be a great side to a main dish, an appetizer or just a game day snack
  • They make a great accompaniment to salads
  • You can create a gnocchi crouton salad with them
  • You can also make vegan gnocchi or gluten-free gnocchi with this recipe
  • Cauliflower gnocchi and sweet potato gnocchi are great substitutes for potato gnocchi
  • You can also use store brought gnocchi or shelf stable gnocchi for this recipe.
  • Refrigerator gnocchi or frozen gnocchi can also be used.

The Best Ingredients to Make Crispy Air Fried Gnocchi

air fried gnocchi

This is actually one of the best air fryer gnocchi recipes on the internet because it is absolutely customizable and can be used with any kind of gnocchi from homemade to shelf-stable to frozen, you can use this recipe for any gnocchi and I promise you, it will beautifully crispy and golden with soft and pillowy center.

Gnocchi

You can use any type of gnocchi for this, frozen ones are as good as homemade gnocchi and you can use both or even shelf-stable. This recipe calls for the classic potato gnocchi but you can make this as crispy and wonderful with cauliflower or sweet potato gnocchi!

Seasoning

You will need salt, pepper, garlic powder and any other seasoning you want to add.

olive oil

Oil

You can use any kind of oil you want to; it can be vegetable oil but olive oil or avocado oil is a good option as well.

Cheese

Adding cheese is the step that makes these gnocchi so delicious, if you can, try to use grated parmesan cheese.

This recipe makes the crispiest air fryer gnocchi and your friends and family will love it. It only takes a little time to make and is worth all the effort! The best part is, if you want you can make this recipe at home or it can be made using frozen, shelf stable, refrigerated, potato, cauliflower, vegan, sweet potato or gluten free gnocchi.

air fried gnocchi

To make it, you will first preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5-6 minutes. Don’t skip this step because this is why the gnocchi turns out so crispy!

Take a large bowl and place your gnocchi inside. If its frozen, don’t thaw it. If its homemade, it should be cooked.

For seasoning, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the gnocchi, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs and salt, and pepper to taste.

Toss the gnocchi evenly with the seasonings.

To air fry, place the seasoned gnocchi in the air fryer in a single line so that all of them are in a layer. You can do this in little batches according to the size of the air fryer.

Air fry the gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes.

Healthier Variations and Substitutions

Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi

With a few easy and simple substitutions air fryer gnocchi can be even healthier. A healthier alternative to traditional potato gnocchi is crispy and tasty cauliflower gnocchi made in an air fryer. For making this version, all you need are a few simple ingredients. You will need a medium sized head of cauliflower to replace the potato. Once the gnocchi are cooked, serve them immediately with your favorite sauce or toppings. Enjoy your homemade cauliflower gnocchi made in the air fryer!

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Crispy air fryer sweet potato gnocchi is a delightful and healthier twist on traditional gnocchi and it is not only deliciously crispy but also sweet and savory in flavor. You can make these healthier gnocchi version with just a few alterations to this recipe and enjoy your crispy air fryer sweet potato gnocchi! The sweet potato version also goes well with a brown butter sauce or can be a sweet treat as well for people who like savory and sweet together.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Gluten Free Air Fryer Gnocchi

For gluten free air fryer gnocchi, make sure to use gluten free flour and you can additionally mix it with another flour to ensure crispiness, mix it with corn flour or rice flour to create a nice crispy crunchy exterior!

Vegan Air Fryer Gnocchi

This same recipe can be used to make vegan gnocchi, you can just substitute the cheese in this recipe for cheese substitute or nutritional yeast. This is already an eggless gnocchi recipe so no problem!

Air Fryer Gnocchi Seasoning and Sauce

teriyaki gnocchi

Classic Italian Gnocchi

Garlic powder and mixed dried herbs (oregano, thyme, basil) in this recipe make for an Italian style gnocchi that is a true classic!

Teriyaki Gnocchi

Instead of Italian seasoning, you can also make an Asian style gnocchi by adding the ingredients for Teriyaki sauce. Making a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder and no parmesan cheese. You can also add sesame oil to gnocchi and use a teriyaki sauce with it.

Marinara sauce

Marinara sauce makes for a great pair with these crispy gnocchi in the air fryer. Its simple yet delicious, allowing the flavors of the tomatoes and herbs to shine. Marinara is perfect for tossing with gnocchi for a quick and satisfying meal.

air fryer gnocchi

Pesto sauce

Another great pair is homemade pesto sauce which is bursting with fresh flavors and is a perfect match for gnocchi. It comes together quickly and can be easily customized to make the best crispy pesto gnocchi.

Brown butter and sage sauce

If you are making sweet potato air fryer gnocchi then a brown butter and sage sauce is perfect! This simple yet flavorful sauce enhances the delicate taste of the gnocchi with its nutty brown butter and aromatic sage.

Want the Perfect Crisp Air Fryer Gnocchi at Home? Follow This Expert Advice!

One of the first things to do before air frying you gnocchi is to pre-heat your air fryer to ensure that the gnocchi turn out even and super crispy. It also decreases your cooking time.

Take out the air fryer basket after a few minutes of frying and shake it so that all sides are cooked evenly!

Olive oil is a super important step because it makes the gnocchi golden and crisp every time, otherwise they turn out brown!

Fresh gnocchi is great but you can also use frozen or shelf stable gnocchi too and you can use this same recipe regardless of the type of gnocchi you are using.

Cooking Gnocchi

You can also pair it with different sauces and sides or make it into a salad.

You can also make healthier variations of this recipe like cauliflower gnocchi, vegan gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi or gluten free gnocchi.

Instructions For Frozen or Refrigerator gnocchi

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. If using frozen gnocchi, there’s no need to thaw them. If using refrigerated gnocchi, you can take them straight from the refrigerator. If desired, toss the gnocchi with a little olive oil or spray them lightly with cooking spray. This will help them crisp up in the air fryer. Season the gnocchi with salt, pepper, or any other desired seasonings.

4 Ways To Serve Air Fryer Gnocchi

1. Croutons

One of the best ways to eat air fryer crispy gnocchi is as as crunchy croutons on different salads. They make really good pairings with any kind of salad or dressing.

2. Sides

You know when guests are coming over and you have a tomato soup or a French onion soup ready but no crispy bread? Well, you can use crispy air fryer gnocchi and it makes an amazing side!

3. Appetizer

These air fryer gnocchi make for really great bites as an appetizer. It’s a fast and easy appetizer that is also super delicious.

4. Snack

Just serve it as a snack and have it as it is. It’s a great snack when you’re craving something fried and crispy or a game day snack!

Air Fryer Gnocchi

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the texture of air fryer gnocchi?

Air fryer gnocchi is small and round, with a golden crisp outside and a super soft and chewy inside. Usually, it pairs well with a creamy sauce.

Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Of course! This recipe is good for frozen or refrigerator gnocchi too. You don’t even need to wait for it to thaw, you can immediately put on the seasoning and air fry it!

Can I use sweet potato gnocchi?

Yes, sweet potato gnocchi is a great and healthier alternative to normal potato gnocchi and with this recipe, it comes out as crisp and delicious.

Can I use homemade gnocchi?

Of course, homemade gnocchi is a great option for this recipe and if you usually boil it, you can air fry it the same way until crispy and golden.

Is gnocchi vegan? Can I make this air fryer gnocchi recipe vegan?

Gnocchi sold in the market can be vegan but of course you have to check the labeling. You can follow this recipe to make vegan air fryer gnocchi and just omit the cheese and you can use  cheese substitute or nutritional yeast.

What’s the best temperature to air fry gnocchi?

Gnocchi turns out deliciously crispy when fried at a temperature of 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes but be careful if the temperature is too high, it can burn.

How long do I air fry gnocchi?

Frying temperature can change according to the air fryer, but you can air fry the gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes or 12 – 15 minutes at 390°F.

Can I use Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower gnocchi?

Yes of course, you can use Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower gnocchi and with this recipe, the gnocchi will turn out amazingly crisp and yummy.

Can you reheat gnocchi?

Try not to reheat gnocchi in the microwave because the results are not good especially if it has been sitting in the fridge too long. You can air fry it again but gnocchi is best fresh because its crisp and not soft.

Air Fryer Gnocchi

Air-Fryer Gnocchi

This recipe for Air Fryer Gnocchi makes the perfect crispy gnocchi that is light and fluffy inside but golden and crispy outside.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 People

Ingredients
  

  • Gnocchi 450g
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Mixed dried herbs oregano, thyme, basil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Marinara sauce or pesto sauce

Instructions
 

  • For your air-fried gnocchi, first preheat your air-fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5-6 minutes.
  • Prepare the Gnocchi, you can use any kind for this recipe, if its store-bought gnocchi, simply place them in a large bowl to mix. If using homemade gnocchi, make sure you cook them first.
  • For seasoning, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the gnocchi, sprinkle with 1 tea spoon of garlic powder, 1 tea spoon of dried mixed herbs and salt, and pepper to taste. Cover the gnocchi evenly with the seasonings.
  • To fry, place the seasoned gnocchi in the air-fryer in a single line so that all of them are in a layer. You can do this in little batches according to the size of the air-fryer.
  • Air-fry the gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes.
  • Check to see if the gnocchi is cooked or you can fry it for 2 minutes further. The frying time depends on the type of air-fryer. Gnocchi air-fryer time generally varies from 10 to 12 minutes.
  • After transferring to a serving plate, immediately sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese so the cheese can melt.
  • Serve the crispy golden gnocchi with marinara sauce or pesto sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

TIP: Take out the air-fryer basket and shake it halfway through cooking. The gnocchi will be golden brown and crispy on the outside this way.
Keyword Air-Fryer Gnocchi, Air-Fryer meals

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