Air Fryer Tortellini (Printable version)
Golden breaded tortellini bites, air-fried to crispy perfection. Ideal for sharing or pairing with marinara.
# What you need:
→ Tortellini
01 - 14 oz refrigerated or frozen cheese or spinach tortellini
→ Breading Station
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tablespoons milk
05 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
06 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving
11 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
02 - If using frozen tortellini, cook according to package instructions, drain thoroughly, and let cool slightly. For refrigerated tortellini, use directly.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: first with flour, second with beaten eggs and milk whisked together, third with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper combined.
04 - Dredge each tortellini in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly on all sides.
05 - Place breaded tortellini in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not overlap. Lightly spray with cooking oil for optimal crispiness.
06 - Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking time, until tortellini are golden brown and crispy.
07 - Transfer crispy tortellini to a serving platter. Accompany with warm marinara sauce for dipping and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The air fryer makes them impossibly crispy without all the oil of deep frying
- They come together in under 20 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
- Everyone reaches for them at parties, and they disappear faster than I can make them
02 -
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or they'll steam instead of getting crispy
- Letting cooked tortellini cool slightly before breading prevents the coating from sliding off
03 -
- A light spray of olive oil helps the breadcrumbs turn golden without weighing them down
- If the coating starts to brown too quickly, lower the temperature by 10 degrees and extend the time slightly