Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

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This crispy air fryer gnocchi is a delicious, easy-to-make snack or side dish that you can surprisingly cook using an air fryer.

Utilizing this popular kitchen appliance, you can achieve perfectly crispy and tender gnocchi in a matter of minutes. This innovative method of cooking saves you both time and effort while creating an addictive treat with a delightful texture.

Cirspy air fryer gnocchi on a white plate with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping.

This method of cooking isn't limited to store-bought gnocchi either. You can experiment with homemade gnocchi recipes for a more personalized touch. Your air fryer will still produce a crispy exterior and soft interior, a perfect combination.

This recipe was inspired by my gnocchi carbonara on this site and pairs well with this collection of recipes in what to serve with gnocchi.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

The air fryer ensures that your gnocchi turns out irresistibly crispy with a golden brown exterior and satisfying crunch.
This is a perfect recipe for busy days when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen and minimal cleanup.
Use your favorite gnocchi will work here like traditional potato gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi, or Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi all work and work well.

Ingredients

You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this delicious gnocchi recipe, and you'll find it all quickly and easily at your local grocery store.

The ingredients needed for this recipe are listed below, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

All the ingredients needed to make gnocchi in your air fryer.

Fresh Gnocchi: Use your favorite fresh variety like regular potato gnocchi, homemade gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi, or even Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, the air frying process makes sure they become golden brown and crisp. For this recipe, you can use frozen gnocchi, refrigerated gnocchi, or a pack of shelf-stable gnocchi.
Olive Oil: Very little oil is used in the cooking process. The oil is used to give the gnocchi a crispy texture. You can use avocado oil or cooking spray for an even lighter option. The cooking oil is essential for making the crispiest air fryer gnocchi.
Herbs and Spices: The combination of garlic powder, Italian herb seasoning, onion powder, salt, paprika, and black pepper adds a rich and savory taste to the gnocchi. Feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs and spices to personalize its flavor profile.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a savory and salty kick to this air fry gnocchi recipe. It also enhances the general flavor of the dish. You can use other hard cheeses instead for a different flavor profile or use dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative.
Fresh Parsley (for garnish) - Chopped fresh parsley serves as a vibrant garnish, adding a burst of freshness to the crispy air fryer gnocchi. You can substitute parsley with other herbs like basil or chives if you prefer.

Air Fryer Gnocchi Cooking Times

Different types of gnocchi might require slight adjustments to the cooking time or temperature.

Frozen Gnocchi: No need to defrost; simply air fry for 15-17 minutes, shaking occasionally
Shelf-Stable Gnocchi: Air fry for 13-15 minutes, tossing a few times throughout the process
Fresh Gnocchi: Be extra careful to not overcrowd the basket; air fry for 12-14 minutes, checking frequently for doneness.

Choosing Your Gnocchi Type

There are various types of gnocchi you can experiment with when using an air fryer:

Potato Gnocchi: The classic choice; available in frozen, shelf-stable, or fresh varieties
Sweet Potato Gnocchi: A slightly sweeter and healthier alternative; can be found in the refrigerated section or homemade
Frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi: A low-carb option gaining popularity; available in the frozen aisle.

Substitutions and Variations

When preparing Air Fryer Gnocchi, there are various ways to add extra taste to your dish.

Spicy: Add a bit of black pepper, chili pepper flakes, homemade hot pepper sauce, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the oil mixture for a bit of heat.
Dipping: Serve your gnocchi with marinara sauce, pasta sauce, BBQ sauce, or even ranch dressing.
Seasonings: You can switch things up by using your favorite blend of seasonings on your gnocchi.

Instructions

Making this air fryer gnocchi recipe is quick and easy. You'll simply season the gnocchi and cook it in the air fryer!

The recipe highlights are listed here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1: Toss the gnocchi with oil and seasonings until well coated.

Gnocchi in bowl with seasoning and oil added.

Gnocchi tossed in bowl until evenly coated.

2: Toss the seasoned gnocchi with parmesan cheese.

Parmesan cheese added to gnocchi in bowl.

Cheese tossed evenly with gnocchi in bowl.

3: Air fry until golden and crispy.

Hint: Be sure you place your gnocchi in a single layer in your air fryer basket for even cooking.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our pesto gnocchi recipe.

Closeup of gnocchi on plate with marinara sauce in bowl.

Storage

After enjoying your delicious Air Fryer Gnocchi, you might have some leftovers that you'd like to save for later. To properly store your gnocchi, follow these simple steps:

Refrigerator:

Allow the gnocchi to cool down to room temperature to avoid condensation, which can lead to sogginess when reheating. Transfer to an air-tight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store in your refrigerator for up to 3 days, including the day you made it.

Freezer:

Place cooled gnocchi in an air-tight container or resealable freezer bag with as much air removed as possible inside the freezer for up to 3 months. Freezing will change its texture.

Reheat:

Refrigerated leftovers: If you stored the gnocchi in the refrigerator, simply place it on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Stop and stir the gnocchi during the process to ensure even reheating.

Frozen leftovers: To reheat frozen gnocchi, first, transfer the gnocchi to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Once thawed, use the microwave for fast results.

Air fryer reheating: For an extra crispy touch, you can reheat the gnocchi in your air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and cook the gnocchi for approximately 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Gnocchi

Serve with Sauce: Use a store-bought or homemade sauce like classic, tomato-based marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, vodka sauce, pesto, cheese sauce, or a simple tomato sauce.
As a Meal: Air Fryer Gnocchi can be served as a main course by incorporating it into your favorite pasta sauce. For a more substantial meal, add protein such as grilled chicken, easy broiled shrimp or instant pot shrimp. You could also mix in some sautéed vegetables like spinach and carrots, cherry tomatoes, or baby bella mushrooms.
As a Side Dish: Gnocchi makes an excellent side dish when paired with a variety of entrees like an air fryer round steak, air fryer mini meatloaves, or air fryer haddock.
As an Appetizer or Snack: Plate the gnocchi or place in a serving bowl with a dipping sauce or a couple of dipping sauces to choose from like marinara or lemon garlic aioli in a small bowl on the side or skewered or on toothpicks for an easy-to-eat finger food.

Tips

Always preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C to achieve perfect crispy texture on your gnocchi.
Cook times may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on your gnocchi and adjust cooking time accordingly.
If your gnocchi ends up soggy or too soft, it might be because of overcrowding the air fryer. Give the gnocchi some space in the basket to ensure proper air circulation, which results in a crispy texture.
Make sure to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to promote even cooking, make sure they don't stick together, and to guarantee a crispy outside.
Properly coating the gnocchi with oil or cooking spray is essential for a tender and fluffy interior. Do not skip this step or you'll end up with dry, tough, gnocchi.
For the best texture, serve your crispy gnocchi right away.

FAQ

Do you have questions about air fryer gnocchi? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this crispy air fryer gnocchi.

How can I tell that my gnocchi is done?

To check for doneness, look for a golden brown outside and a crispy texture. A fork should easily go through the gnocchi.

My gnocchi isn't crispy enough. What should I do?

If your gnocchi isn't crispy enough, consider extending the cooking time or increasing the temperature of your air fryer. Not all air fryers are created equal and because of this the cooking times might vary.

How can you prepare Trader Joe's gnocchi using an air fryer?

To prepare Trader Joe's gnocchi in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C). Place the gnocchi in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching to ensure even cooking. Cook the gnocchi for approximately 9-11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. Once they're golden and crispy, remove the gnocchi from the air fryer and season them to your liking.

What type of gnocchi works best for this recipe?

Traditional, fresh potato gnocchi works very well because the starch in potatoes gets crispy and browned. That said, feel free to use sweet potato or cauliflower gnocchi.

A fork dipping gnocchi in marinara sauce.

Video

More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes

Do you like to use your air fryer to make sides? Here are some of our favorites you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.