Air Fryer Pasta Croutons (Print View)

Crunchy air-fried pasta pieces seasoned with herbs and cheese for versatile use.

# What You’ll 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 2 minutes less than package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
02 - Thoroughly pat pasta dry with 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 until evenly coated.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Place seasoned pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket; work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crunchy.
07 - Allow pasta croutons to cool completely before using as a salad topper or snack.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They turn leftover pasta night into something exciting and completely unexpected.
  • The crunch rivals store-bought croutons but with way more personality and flavor control.
  • You can season them any direction your mood takes you, from smoky to spicy to cheesy.
  • They stay crispy for days if you can resist eating them straight from the container.
02 -
  • Skipping the drying step leaves you with chewy, sad pasta that never crisps no matter how long you cook it.
  • Overcrowding the basket traps steam and creates uneven browning with soft spots you will regret.
  • Shaking halfway through is non-negotiable or you will end up with one burnt side and one pale side.
03 -
  • Use pasta that is a day or two old from the fridge because it has already dried out slightly and crisps faster.
  • Toss them with a tiny drizzle of honey and cinnamon after cooking for a sweet version that works over yogurt or ice cream.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check at the nine-minute mark to avoid burning the edges.
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