Air Fryer Gnocchi
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Air Fryer Gnocchi– Crispy, chewy, little potato dumplings air-fried in herby, cheesy garlic butter are IRRESISTIBLY delicious. These garlic butter air fryer gnocchi are ridiculously good paired with creamy, tomatoey-cheesy vodka sauce for dipping. This easy, 20-minute air fryer recipe is the perfect game-time appetizer or late night snack.
This recipe is so simple and so good. All you’ll need to do is mix up a quick garlic butter, give the uncooked gnocchi a good coating of that savory garlic butter, then pour into the air fryer and let it work its magic.
The end result is the crispiest, chewiest, perfectly pop-able gnocchi bites. They’re garlicky-, cheesy-, buttery-, potato-perfection ESPECIALLY when dipped into creamy, luxuriously-rich vodka sauce.
If you’ve never had gnocchi before, you’re missing out! Gnocchi are little pasta-like dumplings made with potatoes and flour. They’re soft, chewy, and pillowy. Although they’re typically used in soups and pasta-dishes, they’re absolutely delicious crisped up in the air fryer with some garlic butter and dipped in warm, creamy vodka sauce.
Vodka sauce is one of my favorite pasta sauces. It’s made with vodka (don’t worry–the alcohol is cooked off), tomatoes, cream, and cheese. The vodka adds a rich, complex, and complementary flavor. It’s a super flavorful, silky, tomato sauce that’s perfect for dipping these crispy garlic butter gnocchi.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Easy, 20-minute air fryer recipe
- Crispy, garlic butter-coated exteriors, chewy, pillowy-soft interiors
- Served with warm, creamy, tomatoey-cheesy vodka sauce
- Perfect finger-food appetizer or snack for games, gatherings, or late-night snack cravings
- Made with pantry staples
- Can easily be modified to be gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan
Notes from the test kitchen:
This recipe was a fun and easy one to develop! I’ve been experimenting with my air fryer (an older version of the Ninja Foodi that has the “air crisp” function) for a couple years now and I love it for making quick, crispy things like chicken, veggies, and frozen foods.
Typically gnocchi is used in pasta-like dishes or soup, but I wanted to do an air-fryer appetizer gnocchi recipe. Gnocchi has a delicious, soft, chewy texture and it’s super convenient because it’s a quick-cooking product. I knew that if I cooked it in the air fryer its texture would be perfectly crispy on the outside, but still soft and chewy inside.
I wanted this gnocchi recipe to have a little bit of a twist to set it apart from other recipes out there, so I decided to use garlic butter for a super savory, crave-worthy flavor component and serve the gnocchi with a popular (justifiably so) sauce, not just your average marinara, so I chose creamy, silky vodka sauce.
I’ve realized it’s super important to not load up the air fryer too much or your food will not crisp up very well at all (learned that during one of my recipe tests for this gnocchi). In my recipe testing I also learned that different brands of gnocchi (shelf stable) can vary quite a bit in their final product (see notes on tips for success below).
Ingredients
Gnocchi: Gets perfectly crispy in the air fryer! I recommend using shelf stable gnocchi (the kind that’s packaged and can be found beside the pasta at the grocery store), although frozen can work, too. My favorite kind of gnocchi that works best for this recipe is from Walmart.
Butter: The base for the garlic parmesan butter that the gnocchi cooks in. I always use salted butter in my recipes. If you only have unsalted on hand, I’d recommend adding an extra pinch of salt to your garlic butter.
Olive oil: I like the combo of butter and olive oil because you get the delicious, savory flavor of the butter, but it doesn’t burn as easily due to the higher smoke point of olive oil. This is especially helpful in an air fryer recipe with a high cooking temperature.
Garlic: Any form of garlic works here–freshly minced or the kind in a jar that already comes minced. Makes the gnocchi smell amazing while it’s cooking!
Italian seasoning: A little bit of herby Italian seasoning complements the flavors in the garlic butter and brightens it up a bit.
Parmesan cheese: A pleasant addition to the garlic butter–because cheese makes everything better! I like to use the grated parmesan that comes in the can because it’s usually what I have on hand, but feel free to use freshly grated parmesan, too.
Vodka sauce: A creamy, tomato-based sauce perfect for dipping the gnocchi in. My favorite budget-friendly vodka sauce is Bertolli.
Equipment
- Air fryer – I have the older version of this Ninja Foodi and I love it. I use it all the time. I really like that I can use it as more than just an air fryer, too.
- Glass mixing bowl – These are my favorite mixing bowls. Bonus points for the lids that come with the set!
- Silicone spatula – My go to multi-purpose spatula. Sturdy, heat resistant (stir that gnocchi during cooking, no problem!), and they last forever.
- Small bowl (for dipping sauce) – My 8 oz ramekins are some of the most-used dishes I have. I love to use them for fruit bowls, dipping sauces, and single serve desserts.
- Measuring spoons
How to Make Air Fryer Gnocchi
- Preheat air fryer to 400˚F.
- Make a simple garlic butter. Mix together parmesan, garlic, melted butter, olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.
- Toss the gnocchi in the garlic butter until evenly coated.
- Crisp the gnocchi in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, or until the exteriors are slightly browned and crispy. Toss the gnocchi every 5 minutes while cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Enjoy immediately with warm vodka sauce or marinara.
Notes & Tips
Tips for Success
- Use shelf stable gnocchi (versus frozen). The kind of gnocchi you can find in the same aisle as the pasta works the best for this recipe. Frozen gnocchi doesn’t get as crispy due to the extra water content.
- Use my favorite brand of gnocchi: Gia Russa Gnocchi (find it at Walmart). This brand was nice and firm and crisped up really well. It also had a prettier golden color. I tested this recipe with Trader Joe’s shelf stable gnocchi as well and it was much more watery, resulting in a slightly mushy gnocchi even after being air-fried.
- Toss the gnocchi every five minutes while cooking. This helps to prevent it from sticking together and promotes even cooking and crispness.
- Only cook one batch of the gnocchi at a time. I found that doubling the recipe for a crowd resulted in much longer cook time for not quite as crispy gnocchi. If you need to double the recipe, definitely air fry in two separate batches.
Modifications for Air Fryer Gnocchi
Substitutions
Gnocchi: Feel free to substitute shelf-stable gnocchi for frozen or homemade. Note that the cooking time may differ slightly.
Sauce: Swap out the vodka sauce for marinara, cheese sauce, Alfredo sauce, homemade ranch dressing, pesto, or aioli.
Fresh herbs: Swap the dried Italian seasoning for chopped fresh herbs for a bolder, fresher herby taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can spread the gnocchi on a greased sheet pan and bake in the oven at 400˚F for 12-15 minutes. Still just as delicious, but only slightly less crispy when done in the oven.
Yes, feel free to use gluten-free gnocchi (often found in the gluten-free section at the grocery store).
Yes, make this appetizer vegan or dairy-free by swapping the butter for additional olive oil and the omitting the parmesan cheese.
What to Pair with Air Fryer Gnocchi
This air fryer gnocchi is great on its own as an appetizer, but if you’re looking to make it into more of a meal, try pairing it with one of these:
- Salad: Use the gnocchi as a “crouton” on a simple garden salad or chicken caesar salad.
- Soup: Top your tomato soup with crunchy gnocchi.
- Steak or Chicken: Use as a side with steak, chicken, (or any grilled protein) and grilled vegetables.
- Pasta: Serve this gnocchi as an alternative to breadsticks or rolls with your favorite pasta dish.
Storage and Reheating
This air fryer gnocchi should be stored in the refrigerator since it contains butter and cheese. It dries out quickly, so I recommend storing it in the refrigerator for up to two days after making it. Store in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warm. Reheat the dipping sauce separately in a bowl.
Other Recipes You Might Like…
- For the gnocchi lovers, try this Baked Feta Gnocchi (a take on the viral feta pasta)
- For another game-day worthy appetizer, try these easy Pizza Dough Pretzels (with warm gouda dip)
- For more garlicky, herby, cheesy-goodness, try this Boursin Cherry Tomato Soup
Air Fryer Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 16 oz gnocchi I recommend using shelf stable
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tbsp classic olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- pinch salt
- ½-¾ cup vodka sauce or marinara
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 400˚F for 5 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a large bowl.
- To the melted butter, add the olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and salt. Mix until evenly combined.
- Add the gnocchi and toss with the garlic butter to coat evenly.
- Carefully add the gnocchi to the air fryer and spread in an even layer.
- Crisp the gnocchi in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, tossing it every 5 minutes, until the exteriors are slightly browned and crispy.
- In a small bowl, add the vodka sauce and cover with a paper towel. Heat in the microwave in 20 second increments until warm.
- Serve immediately with the warm vodka dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
Did you try this recipe? Make sure to give it a rating and leave a comment below and tag Table Nutrition in your photos on social media!
This is a great recipe for Dinner or a quick app. It was a quick and easy to follow recipe with great flavor! I am all about quick comfort food!