Air Fryer Pasta Croutons (Printable)

Crispy pasta bites air-fried with spices and Parmesan, ideal for snacking or adding crunch to salads.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups dried short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - Pat the pasta thoroughly dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, toss pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese if using, ensuring even coating.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Place seasoned pasta in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until pasta is golden brown and crisp.
07 - Allow pasta croutons to cool completely before using as a salad topping or enjoying as a snack.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It turns everyday pantry pasta into something exciting and crispy without any deep frying.
  • You can season it however you want, making it spicy, cheesy, or herb-forward in minutes.
  • It adds serious crunch to salads and soups, and doubles as a snack that disappears fast.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pasta well, it will turn chewy instead of crunchy no matter how long you air fry it.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through is not optional, the pieces on the bottom need their turn in the hot air or they stay pale and soft.
03 -
  • Undercook the pasta more than you think you should, it needs to stay firm or it will turn gummy in the air fryer.
  • Do not skip the preheat, a hot basket makes all the difference in getting that first crispy edge right away.
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