Air Fryer Gnocchi

Name: Air Fryer Gnocchi
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces gnocchi (see note 1); 1 or 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil (avocado, grapeseed, olive, etc.) (see note 2); ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (see note 3); ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

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These crispy and delicious Air Fryer Gnocchi are super easy and simple to make with only a few ingredients. Grab a bunch of shelf stable gnocchi next time you’re in the store (or make your own!) and keep them on hand for a quick snack or appetizer.

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Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make Air Fryer Gnocchi
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Tips for Success
More Recipes Like This
Air Fryer Gnocchi

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Hey Internet, I love gnocchi but interestingly enough I haven’t done anything with them on the blog yet! So I’m making up for lost time with these crispy gnocchi as well as a gnocchi soup I have coming out shortly.

But back to these air fryer gnocchi, crispy on the outside and soft dumpling on the inside. They’re fantastic on their own or dipped in marinara or melted vegan garlic butter.

I’ll show you how to make them in the air fryer—and in the oven if needed—and how to make them both super crispy, and how to make them more tender with a nice crisp outer layer.

Gnocchi are actually classified as pasta, though I think they are a hybrid between pasta and dumplings. They are made primarily from potatoes with some flour and water.

Sometimes gnocchi are made with egg or ricotta cheese, but I haven’t had a hard time finding vegan gnocchi at the store. You can also make your own if you’re so inclined.

Store bought gnocchi can be tough or gummy, but I’ve found great store bought gnocchi at Whole Foods, World Market, and other places. I also often purchase gnocchi online.

My favorite brand is Delallo Foods Gnocchi. They also make a gluten-free version that is also vegan!

These awesome snacks only require a few ingredients and about 10 minutes… and of course an air fryer!

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Why This Recipe Works

Gnocchi is so easy to work with, and most folks boil them and toss them in their favorite sauce. That’s a great meal, but what if we could make gnocchi into a snack or appetizer?

That’s where this air fryer gnocchi becomes a snack hero. All you have to do is toss the gnocchi in a little oil and some spices, then throw it in the air fryer.

The key to getting crisp gnocchi is not to overload the air fryer. I have a 5.8 quart air fryer, and I do a half pound of gnocchi (about 8 ounces) at a time.

While you can definitely cook more at a time, they won’t crisp up as much due to less air circulating around them. Thankfully, they cook up so quickly you can make batch after batch as requested!

There’s also a way to make these in the oven, but in my opinion, the texture is much better from the air fryer… and it’s faster. I’ll share that method in the directions below, too.

Ingredients and Substitutions

8 ounces gnocchi: I used dried store bought gnocchi for this recipe. Most of the "plain" flavored ones I saw were vegan but check the ingredients just to make sure. Fresh (bought or homemade) will also work—be careful not to crowd them in the air fryer as fresh gnocchi can be more fragile or likely to stick together. The fresh gnocchi may also cook at a different speed so check it sooner.
1 or 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil: You need just a little oil (such as grapeseed, avocado, or olive oil) for this recipe. Cooking them without oil leaves them a bit dry (though if you’re dipping them in a sauce you may not care), so I think just a bit of oil helps the texture of the air fryer gnocchi a lot.
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or whatever seasoning you like
Salt and pepper to taste (I did ¼ teaspoon each)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

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How to Make Air Fryer Gnocchi

Add gnocchi to a bowl and drizzle with the oil. Use a spoon or spatula to toss the gnocchi to evenly coat them in the oil.
Add the seasoning to the bowl and toss well again to distribute the seasonings.
Air fryer method: Add seasoned gnocchi to your air fryer in a single layer. Cook gnocchi at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). For more tender air fried gnocchi with a crisp outer skin, cook for 10 - 11 minutes. For much crispier, chewier air fried gnocchi, cook for 12-14 minutes. Make sure to shake the basket at the halfway point as this helps the gnocchi cook evenly.
Oven method: Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and add seasoned gnocchi to the tray. Bake in a 375 degree Fahrenheit (191 degree Celsius) oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring and flipping the gnocchi halfway through. Feel free to increase the time if needed.
Let the air fryer gnocchi (or oven baked gnocchi) cool for a moment and then dig in! Serve with your favorite sauce—we love Rao’s marinara as well as melted vegan garlic butter. Enjoy!
These crispy vegan gnocchi are best fresh. If you do have leftovers, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. They might get a bit stale, so you may want to reheat them in a sauce and serve them up like pasta. They also make great croutons for vegan Italian salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh gnocchi?

Yes, fresh gnocchi is fine to use. I used dried gnocchi because that’s what I have available to me. Most of the "plain" flavored ones I saw were vegan but check the ingredients just to make sure. Fresh (bought or homemade) will also work—be careful not to crowd them in the air fryer as fresh gnocchi can be more fragile or likely to stick together. The fresh gnocchi may also cook at a different speed so check it sooner.

Can I make these in the oven?

Yes, oven instructions are included in the recipe, but basically you’re just going to bake the seasoned gnocchi for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (191 degrees Celsius). And don’t forget to stir the tray halfway through the cooking time.

What can I use these for?

Make these air fryer gnocchi as an app and serve them with melted vegan garlic butter or marinara… or whatever sauce you like! Or you can serve them in a sauce as an entree with a side of vegan Italian salad, air fryer brussels sprouts, or anything else you like.

How to store cooked gnocchi?

Store baked or air fried gnocchi for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They might get a tiny bit stale but you can reheat them with a tablespoon or two of water in a skillet and that should help. You could also reheat them in a sauce and serve like pasta.

Pro Tips for Success

Use a brand you trust like Delallo Foods. I used gnocchi from Cost Plus World Market and they are delicious! Some dried brands may be tougher. Most of the "plain" flavored store bought gnocchi I saw were vegan but check the ingredients just to make sure.
Pick whichever seasonings you like! I used Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
Don’t skip the oil, as gnocchi can get dried out without it. If you must cook oil-free, try coating the gnocchi in a little aquafaba, or air fry for less time.
Also, don’t crowd the air fryer. If you have a small air fryer you may need to do this in two batches. Crowding will make your air fryer gnocchi less crispy. Make sure they are in a single layer and not jammed in there.
Make sure you shake the basket halfway through so the gnocchi cooks evenly.
Enjoy right away as they are best fresh!

More Recipes Like This

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