The easiest, crispiest air fryer gnocchi recipe, made in under 15 minutes. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Use frozen, shelf-stable, or refrigerated gnocchi made from potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato for an easy appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Air Fryer Gnocchi At A Glance
- ✅ Recipe Name: Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi (15 Minutes!)
- 🕒 Ready In: ~15 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 6
- 🍽 Calories: ~151 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Gnocchi, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, parmesan
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian; easily made vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
- ❄️ Works With: Frozen, shelf-stable, or refrigerated gnocchi (potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato)
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Ultra-crispy outside, soft and pillowy inside, and ready in under 15 minutes. Doubles as a snack, side, appetizer, or crunchy salad "crouton."
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The best crispy air fryer gnocchi
I make this air fryer gnocchi at least twice a week, and after testing it with every type I could find (potato, cauliflower, and sweet potato), the method below is the one that gets them crispy every single time. The trick is the air fryer itself. It crisps the outside without the sogginess you get from the stovetop or, honestly, from following the package directions.
You can use any gnocchi you have: shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen straight from the freezer with no thawing. I usually reach for regular potato gnocchi or Trader Joe's frozen cauliflower gnocchi.
They work as a gameday appetizer with marinara or pesto for dipping, a quick side, or crispy little "croutons" tossed on a salad. They are best eaten right out of the basket while the edges are still crackly.
If you like a salty, crunchy snack from the air fryer, my air fryer pumpkin seeds and air fryer chickpeas are others I make on repeat.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Gnocchi At A Glance
- The best crispy air fryer gnocchi
- Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Kitchen tools required
- How to Make The Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi (Step-by-Step)
- Video Tutorial (Step-by-Step)
- How to Make Frozen Gnocchi in an Air Fryer
- Expert Tips for Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
- Air Fryer Gnocchi Variations
- How to Serve Air Fryer Gnocchi
- How to Store & Reheat
- Air Fryer Gnocchi FAQs
- More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Recipe
- Quick & easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, start to finish.
- Perfect texture: Crispy and golden on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside.
- Simple seasoning: Just garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a little Parmesan.
- Versatile: Great as an appetizer, snack, side, or crunchy salad "crouton."
- Diet-friendly: Easily made vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
- Works with any gnocchi: Frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable, with no thawing needed.
- Any variety: Potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato all crisp up beautifully.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These are definitely my new favorite snack! I used cauliflower gnocchi and dipped them in marinara sauce with meat and in pesto! The garlic and parmesan coating was top tier!
- Jesse
Ingredients & Substitutions
This air fryer gnocchi is endlessly customizable, and you can use homemade, frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable gnocchi. You need just four ingredients plus salt and pepper. Here is everything to have ready:
- Gnocchi: Grab your favorite shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen gnocchi. I used regular potato gnocchi for the photos, but cauliflower, gluten-free, and sweet potato all work. I have tried every type, and they crisp up beautifully.
- Olive oil: Helps the gnocchi crisp and turn golden.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory flavor that coats every piece.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for a salty, cheesy finish. Dairy-free or vegan? Swap in nutritional yeast.
Scroll to the recipe card for quantities!
Kitchen tools required
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this easy 15-minute air fryer gnocchi recipe.
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Tools: ¼ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 Tablespoon.
How to Make The Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi (Step-by-Step)
This extra-crispy air fryer gnocchi recipe takes under 15 minutes to make! You can use frozen or fresh gnocchi. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions:
First, preheat your air fryer to 390°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil spray.
- Step 1: Season. Toss the gnocchi with the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If you are using frozen gnocchi, do not thaw it. Add it straight to the bowl with the seasonings.
- Step 2: Arrange. Add the seasoned gnocchi to the preheated basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping, or they won't crisp as well.
- Step 3: Air fry. For shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi, air fry at 390°F for 11 to 14 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 to 5 minutes so they brown on all sides. They are done when the outsides are golden (not burned) and crispy.
- Step 4: Serve. Enjoy immediately for the best crunch. Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh parsley, and serve as a side, an appetizer with marinara or nut-free pesto for dipping, or as a "crouton" on your favorite salad.
Using frozen gnocchi? Follow the same method; it just takes 2 to 3 minutes longer. See the next section for details.
Video Tutorial (Step-by-Step)
How to Make Frozen Gnocchi in an Air Fryer
Cooking frozen gnocchi in an air fryer is the best method to get it crisp instead of soggy. My number one tip is simple: do not thaw it before air frying. I love Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi, but any kind or brand works.
- Season: Toss the frozen gnocchi with the seasonings exactly as listed in the recipe card.
- Air fry: Cook the seasoned frozen gnocchi at 390°F for 13 to 16 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 to 5 minutes so it browns on all sides. Frozen gnocchi takes a little longer, but it's done the same way: golden (not burned) and crispy on the outside.
Expert Tips for Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
- Always preheat: A hot basket crisps the gnocchi evenly from the start. Skipping it means longer cook times and softer edges.
- Shake every 4 to 5 minutes: Tossing the basket keeps every side golden instead of browning just one side.
- Don't skip the oil: Olive or avocado oil is what makes them crisp and golden. Without it, they brown unevenly and turn out dull.
- Use any gnocchi you have: Shelf-stable, refrigerated, and frozen all work, and you can pick potato, cauliflower, or sweet potato. The recipe card covers the timing for each.
- Try it with homemade gnocchi: You can air fry homemade gnocchi instead of boiling it. I love this sweet potato gnocchi, air-fried for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp.
- Make it vegan: Most store-bought gnocchi is already vegan. Just swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Air Fryer Gnocchi Variations
- Cauliflower gnocchi: Swap in cauliflower gnocchi for a lower-carb version. I love Trader Joe's frozen kind, which crisps up especially well.
- Sweet potato gnocchi: Use sweet potato gnocchi for a slightly sweeter, golden result.
- Italian: Skip the garlic powder and use 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning instead.
- Asian-inspired: Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil before air-frying, then serve with a soy or teriyaki sauce for dipping. Leave out the parmesan.
- Crispy pesto: Skip the oil and toss the gnocchi in ¼ cup of nut-free basil pesto instead. It air-fries into the crispest, most flavorful version. I love this easy nut-free pesto.
- Vegan: Most store-bought gnocchi is already egg-free, so just swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast, and you're set.
How to Serve Air Fryer Gnocchi
You can serve air fryer gnocchi as a side, appetizer, snack, or a crunchy "crouton" on a salad. Here are my favorite ways:
- As an appetizer: Serve the crispy bites with marinara, pesto, healthy Greek yogurt ranch, or healthy Caesar dressing for dipping. The perfect finger food.
- As a side: I love serving air fryer gnocchi with these balsamic feta stuffed chicken breasts, this grilled Greek yogurt chicken, and this healthy tomato soup.
- As a snack: When you want something salty in the afternoon, this 15-minute batch does the trick.
- As a "crouton": Scatter them over salads for a crunchy, gluten-free topping. They're great on this strawberry goat cheese salad, Greek spinach salad, or blackened salmon Caesar salad.
How to Store & Reheat
Storing: Air fryer gnocchi is best straight from the basket, but leftovers keep well. Store them in an airtight container, separated from any sauce, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Cooked gnocchi can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture softens. Reheat straight from frozen for the best crisp.
Reheating: Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes until warm and crispy. If they're coated in sauce, the microwave is easier, since the crispiness is already gone.
Air Fryer Gnocchi FAQs
Air fryer gnocchi is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is not dry or hard to bite into. It has a crisp golden shell and a warm, chewy middle.
Absolutely. Any frozen gnocchi works, and there's no need to thaw it. Season it and air fry it straight from the freezer. Full timing is in the recipe card.
Most store-bought gnocchi is vegan since it contains no eggs, but check the label to be sure. The only non-vegan part of this recipe is the parmesan, which you can swap for nutritional yeast.
Yes. Leave out the parmesan and use nutritional yeast in its place. Everything else stays the same.
For best results, air fry gnocchi at 390°F. If the temperature is too low, the gnocchi won't get crispy. If the temperature is too high, they will burn.
It depends on the type. Air fry shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi for 11 to 14 minutes, and frozen gnocchi for 13 to 16 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
It's the best way to cook it. The bag instructions leave it soft and soggy, but this method gets the outside crispy and the inside tender.
Yes. Reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes to bring back the crisp. Skip the microwave, which leaves it soft. If it's already coated in sauce, the microwave is fine since the crisp is gone anyway.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
If you loved this crispy air fryer gnocchi, here are a few more air fryer recipes to try next:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi, shelf-stable, refrigerator, or frozen (regular, cauliflower, or sweet potato)
- 1 - 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 - 3 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat your air fryer to 390°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil spray.
- Season: In a large mixing bowl, toss the gnocchi with the rest of the ingredients. If using frozen gnocchi, do not thaw it first.
- Arrange: Add the seasoned gnocchi to the preheated basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping, or they won't get as crispy.
- Air fry by type: Air fry shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi for 11 to 14 minutes, or frozen gnocchi for 13 to 16 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 to 5 minutes so they turn golden on all sides. They're done when the outsides are golden (not burned) and crispy.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately. Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh parsley, and serve as a side, as an appetizer with marinara or pesto for dipping, or as a "crouton" on your favorite salad.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe tested and developed by Tati Chermayeff, creator of Healthful Blondie. A former Division I rower, Ironman triathlete, and recipe developer based in Austin, TX, Tati creates high-protein, air fryer, and healthy recipes that actually taste like the real thing.
Evelyne says
Excellent, quick, easy recipe! And so addictive! 10/10!
Tati Chermayeff says
10/10 is high praise — thanks Evelyne, glad it's in the rotation.
Jill K. says
My gnocchi didn’t look like yours. However, they did taste like tater tots. Put them in the air fryer with a pork tenderloin @ 385 F. Added the gnocchi after baking the tenderloin for 13 minutes. Not bad. Think I’ll use a little more oil.
Tati Chermayeff says
Thanks Jill! That's the pork, actually. As it cooks it releases moisture into the basket, and that steam softens the gnocchi instead of letting them crisp. Air frying them on their own with a bit more oil will get you that crunchy outside. Great one-pan idea when you're in a hurry though!
Janice says
I just made these for a quick snack meal. They are soooo good! Dipped them in tomato sauce,
Tati Chermayeff says
Yes, marinara is the move! So glad these hit the spot, Janice. Thanks for the kind review.
Jennifer Edwards says
This was a fast and very yummy dish! The whole family liked it!
Tati Chermayeff says
Love that the whole family was on board, that's the best kind of win. Thanks so much, Jennifer!
Penny Myers says
So easy, so delicious, perfectly crisp!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Penny - thank you for this awesome review!!
Jesse Stephenson says
These are definitely my new favorite snack! I used cauliflower gnocchi and dipped them in marina sauce with meat and in pesto! The garlic and parmesan coating was top tier!
Tati Chermayeff says
The garlic-parmesan coating really does make them, so glad you loved it! Cauliflower gnocchi crisps up beautifully this way, and dipping in both marinara and pesto is the perfect move. Thanks Jesse!
Tiffany says
So I know no question Is a dumb question so... If I use shelf stable gnocchi out of the package, do I need to cook them first and then air fry?
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! No you don't need to cook them. Just pop the shelf-stable gnocchi into the air fryer 🙂
Teresa LeFevre says
I tried them last night. I thought they were good just more hard than crisp. I’m going to try cooking them first then follow the instructions. Maybe that will make it pillowy inside and crunchy outside like it’s described
Tati Chermayeff says
Thanks for sharing! If they came out more hard than crispy, cooking or boiling the gnocchi first may definitely help give you that softer, pillowy center. Air fryers can vary too, so slightly lowering the cook time may help as well. Hope the next batch turns out exactly how you’re hoping!