The Best Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi made with 5 simple ingredients. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, this crunchy appetizer is best served with warm marinara and grated vegan parmesan. Ready in less than 15 minutes!

The Best Air Fryer Gnocchi

I've been making gnocchi for years — in fact, one of my very first recipes on the blog is my Creamy Tomato Gnocchi! It is so rewarding to form and shape the dough, and I find the process to be very meditative. For this Air Fryer Gnocchi, you can use my homemade gnocchi recipe, or feel free to use store-bought gnocchi to save time!

I use the air fryer all the time to simplify cooking, save time, and achieve the crispiest texture! Two of my most popular recipes on the blog use the air fryer. If you haven't checked them out, I know you'll love my Air Fryer Red Potatoes and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges.

Just like those recipes, the method here is simple and the ingredients are few. I guarantee you will find success with this recipe — and that it will become your new favorite appetizer or snack!

Why You'll Love Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

1. Quick & easy! Ready in 15 minutes of less, using 5 simple ingredients.
2. Light & healthy. The air fryer achieves the crispiest texture without over-doing it on the oil.
3. The perfect appetizer. A crowd-pleasing party app, this gnocchi recipe is the perfect starter to an Italian feast.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Gnocchi: Use my homemade gnocchi from my Creamy Tomato Gnocchi recipe, or use store-bought.
• Avocado oil spray: Or any other high heat spray oil. You can use regular oil, but the spray makes it easy to coat the air fryer basket.
• Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: A simple seasoning that adds loads of savory flavor!

Kitchen Tools You'll Need

You'll need an air fryer for this recipe. I use the Instant Pot Pro Crisp Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer. Any air fryer will work here! An air fryer with a larger basket is nice because it makes the process even quicker if you don't have to work in too many batches.

How to Make the Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi

It begins with the gnocchi. If you are using store-bought gnocchi, skip ahead to How to Air Fry Gnocchi. See the steps below to make your own gnocchi from scratch.

How to Make Homemade Gnocchi

To make homemade gnocchi, you'll need:

• 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes (baked, halved, and cooled)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Step 1: Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of each potato into a large bowl. Use your hands or a fork to mash the potatoes.

Step 2: Add 1 teaspoon salt, olive oil, and flour. Continue mashing everything together until well-combined.

Step 3: Grab a handful of dough and begin shaping into a cylinder-like shape. Place it on a cutting board and gently roll into a long, thin rope, about ½-inch wide. Continue this process until all of the dough is rolled out. Use a sharp knife to cut each rope into pieces of gnocchi. Slice off ½- to 1-inch pieces.

Step 4: Once all of the gnocchi is cut, place a fork rounded side face up on the cutting board. Roll each piece of gnocchi down the fork to create grooved lines. This step is optional, as it makes it easier for sauce to cling to the gnocchi, which is less important for this air fryer gnocchi recipe.

Step 5: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ½ teaspoon salt just before boiling. Carefully add the gnocchi, working in batches if needed to avoid over-crowding the pot. Remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon after about 5 minutes. The gnocchi will float at the top of the pot when done.

How to Air Fry Gnocchi

Step 1: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray. Preheat the air fryer to 390F. 

Step 2: Spread gnocchi out onto a baking sheet and spray with avocado oil spray. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss around to coat evenly. 

Step 3: Transfer some of the gnocchi to the air fryer basket. Fill the basket without over-crowding the gnocchi. You want to leave some space in between the pieces to ensure they achieve a crispy texture. You'll have to work in batches! Set the timer for 10-15 minutes, and shake the basket every 5 minutes.

Step 4: When the gnocchi is done, remove from the air fryer and transfer to a parchment-lined serving plate. Garnish with vegan parmesan if desired, and serve with warm marinara sauce.  

Chef Tips

• Work in batches: Be careful not to over-crowd the air fryer basket. Leaving space in between the gnocchi will ensure they crisp up nicely.
• Shake the basket every 5 minutes: This guarantees that the gnocchi gets crispy on all sides, for even texture.

Air Fryer Gnocchi Variations

• Make it gluten-free: If making homemade gnocchi, use gluten-free flour to make this tasty snack dietary-friendly.
• Change up the seasonings! Get creative with your spices, adding heat with cayenne or red pepper flakes, or make them smoky with smoked paprika.
• Add dried herbs. Dried oregano, dried rosemary, or Italian seasoning are delicious ways to add even more flavor!

Serving Suggestions

Garnish the gnocchi with grated vegan parmesan. Serve with a bowl of warm marinara. I like to top the marinara with red pepper flakes and black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. You can also use a jar of pizza sauce.

In lieu of marinara, this crispy gnocchi would also go great with a bowl of pesto!

FAQs

Storage & Reheating

This recipe is best enjoyed immediately, however you can store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I like to toss on a skillet until warmed through, but you can reheat in the air fryer if you prefer.

Gnocchi can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Don't forget to give this recipe a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating if you enjoyed it! Let me know what you think in the comments!

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