Air Fryer Gnocchi

Air fryer gnocchi are deliciously crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Making crispy gnocchi in the air fryer gives you perfectly cooked gnocchi to enjoy with your favorite sauces or simply as a snack!

Air fryer gnocchi is the ideal way to cook these fluffy pillows of goodness. They turn out perfectly crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside, ready to be added to your favorite sauce.

You can also make a batch of these air fried gnocchi as a snack to be enjoyed with any dips and sauces you like, like a marinara sauce, for example.

They're just perfect in recipes like this One-Pot Gnocchi with Sausage or these amazing Gnocchi Carbonara.

This recipe works best with shelf-stable gnocchi, but you can also make it with fresh gnocchi or frozen gnocchi.

Why you'll love air fryer gnocchi

• They have an amazing texture. The crispy outer layer is out of this world and contrasts with the fluffy inside, making these air-fried gnocchi quite addictive.
• They're ready in 15 minutes. Whether you're making them to use in a recipe or as a snack, you'll have perfectly cooked gnocchi in just 15 minutes with minimal effort. There's no need to boil the gnocchi first.
• They're budget-friendly. All you need is a pack of shelf-stable gnocchi and a splash of olive oil.

Ingredients and variations

You only need two ingredients plus salt and pepper to make air fried gnocchi, but there are countless variations you can try.

Gnocchi

You'll need a pack of shelf-stable gnocchi for this recipe. I use a 1 lb (500 g) pack for a batch of air fried gnocchi.

Keep in mind that not all shelf-stable gnocchi are vegan-friendly. That's because they may contain lactic acid. Choose a plant-based kind of gnocchi as needed — DeLallo in the US and Difatti in the UK both have various types of vegan gnocchi.

Alternatively, use cauliflower gnocchi instead, such as Trader's Joe Cauliflower Gnocchi.

It's always best to place the gnocchi in the air fryer in a single layer, so they cook evenly. I have a 5.8 QT (5.5 L) air fryer that fits a pack of gnocchi comfortably. If your air fryer is smaller, you may want to work in batches.

If making this recipe with frozen gnocchi, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes but make sure you check often for doneness. Frozen cauliflower gnocchi can also be cooked in the air fryer.

Olive oil

A tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is enough for a 1 lb (500 g) pack of gnocchi. You can use some cooking spray instead of olive oil if you're looking to cut down on calories.

Variations

You can easily make these air fryer gnocchi your own by tossing them with one or more of the following:

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Red chili powder
• Cayenne pepper to make them fiery (just ¼ or ½ teaspoon will do)
• A splash of balsamic vinegar
• Garam masala
• Finely grated parmesan (or vegan parmesan / vegetarian hard cheese as needed)

How to make gnocchi in the air fryer

Preheat the air-fryer to 390°F / 200°C.

Add the gnocchi to a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and black pepper. Make sure they're coated evenly.

Transfer gnocchi into the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The gnocchi should be crispy on and lightly golden on the outside.

How to serve air fryer gnocchi

• As a snack with marinara sauce, hot sauce, salsa, this delicious sriracha aioli, or simply sprinkled with some freshly grated parmesan.
• As a crispy carb addition to a salad like a Caesar salad or a Greek-style salad.
• With your favorite sauce or simply tossed with pesto. They're also perfect in gnocchi soups like this Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup - air frying the gnocchi before adding them to the soup changes their texture to make them crunchy.

Leftovers and storage

• These air fryer gnocchi are best served immediately.
• You can store leftover air fried gnocchi in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 390°F / 200°C. You can spray them with a bit of cooking oil before reheating.

Recipe notes and tips for the perfect air fried gnocchi

• As with any air fryer recipe, cooking times may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have. If you're making these air fryer gnocchi for the first time, it's a good idea to check and shake the basket every 3-4 minutes until they look just the way you want them.
• Don't be tempted to air fry the gnocchi for more than 12-14 minutes. They will harden a bit as they sit and cool.
• If you don't want your air fried gnocchi to be crispy, cook them for just 8 minutes at 390°F / 200°C.
• You can use this method to cook stuffed gnocchi for the perfect texture.

If you liked these crispy air fryer gnocchi, you might also like some of my other easy recipes with gnocchi:

• Gnocchi Carbonara
• Creamy Chicken Gnocchi
• Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Creamy Salmon Gnocchi
• Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup

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