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Try this air fryer tortellini recipe if you’re feeling lazy but craving something cheesy and crunchy. It uses common ingredients and is ready in just  25 minutes!

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air fryer tortellini

Tasty appetizers don’t need to be complicated. Impress family and friends with crispy air-fried tortellini that are also perfect for any dipping sauce.

This air fryer tortellini only needs common kitchen ingredients, and they’re ready to serve in 25 minutes.

Air-frying coated and seasoned tortellini elevates the simple pasta dish, and this versatile recipe can also be experimented with different flavor combinations to satisfy every craving.

What Is Air Fryer Tortellini?

Air fryer tortellini is a quick and easy recipe where each piece of pasta is coated in seasoned batter, then fried in the air fryer. Even the laziest cook can make air-fried crispy tortellini.

Instead of being boiled and served smothered in sauce, frying tortellini creates a delicious crunchy exterior that complements the filling.

This recipe uses cheese tortellini that can be served on its own immediately after cooking for hot, crispy, cheesy goodness.

It’s up to the cook to prepare whatever sauce for dipping they would like for this crispy snack.

But one thing’s for sure, serving this yummy and easy appetizer will require a constant refill at the table.

air fryer tortellini

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These crazy good air fryer tortellini are so damn easy to make for a quick fun snack. It uses store-bought cheese tortellini to save time and effort, so what’s left to be done is cover the pasta in the batter.

Need more convincing? Here are what to expect with this recipe suitable for the lazy:

  • Perfect for Busy Days: This air fryer tortellini makes an easy appetizer, finger food, or snack for busy people (or those who are just feeling lazy.) Once the pasta is al dente, they’re ready to be coated and seasoned, and the air fryer will do the rest of the cooking time.
  • Fried But Less Guilty: Fried foods are delicious but often avoided because traditional frying adds trans fats with each bite. However, this air fryer tortellini is crisped up in the air fryer, which uses less oil than deep frying.
  • Versatile Dish for Every Picky Eater: These cheesy and crunchy bites are good on their own straight out of the air fryer. But for different taste buds, they will also be delicious with various dips and seasonings.

What Does Air Fryer Tortellini Taste Like?

Air fryer tortellini is tasty, hot, and crunchy flavor bombs.

There are many varieties of tortellini, but the crowd-favorite cheese tortellini is incredibly satisfying when air-fried because of the hot cheese and crispy crust.

This twist on cheese tortellini is best enjoyed hot and eaten immediately after frying. They can also be covered in more parmesan or dipped in a favorite tomato sauce to complement the salty cheese.

It’s easy to pop this bite-sized goodness and forget to keep track of the servings enjoyed.

air fryer tortellini

Is Air Fryer Tortellini Healthy?

Air fryer tortellini is the perfect appetizer or finger food because it’s hot, crunchy, and cheesy. But because each piece is easy to pop, then grab another one immediately, it’s best to monitor serving portions.

It’s a cheese and pasta dish, so air-fried tortellini is not exactly a superfood filled with nutrients.

Though on the bright side, these crispy golden brown munchies are fried in the air fryer, so they’re not drenched in oil and trans fats.

This air fryer tortellini recipe can also be partnered with a sauce of choice, like a low-sodium marinara sauce, to add health benefits. And for those watching their calories, consider vegan or low-carb sauce options.

What Are The Benefits Of Air Fryer Tortellini?

The best thing about this air fryer tortellini recipe is that it’s so damn easy. It wouldn’t require a trip to the grocery store since the breading station is made from common kitchen ingredients.

The cook can also use any favorite tortellini, though crispy cheese tortellini will work well with any seasoning or dip.

Each bite will satisfy cravings for something crispy and cheesy without worrying that the food is drenched in trans fats.

Air frying uses less oil but still delivers the texture and golden brown perfection on these delicious bite-sized snacks. 

air fryer tortellini

Ingredients For Air Fryer Tortellini

  • Cheese tortellini – Delicious and easy appetizers made better when crisped up in the air fryer. Cook store-bought tortellini al dente, but following the package instructions for the boiling duration is unnecessary.
  • Eggs – Must-have ingredients to help the crunchy crust stick to the pasta better.
  • Panko breadcrumbs – The seasoned breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch to the cheesy tortellini.
  • Cornstarch – Helps the tortellini in egg mixture to be more evenly coated.
  • Garlic powder – The garlic flavor is perfect with the air fry tortellini without tasting too overpowering.
  • Onion powder – Goes perfectly with the Italian seasoning and garlic powder to give the air fryer crispy tortellini a more savory taste.
  • Italian seasoning – A classic and versatile flavor that goes well with any favorite dipping sauce for the air fryer tortellini.
  • Parmesan cheese – Delicious nutty addition to the crust of the tortellini. Can also add more to the crunchy and hot pasta before serving.
  • Cooking spray – Use avocado oil for air frying to get that yummy golden color on the breaded tortellini.

Tools Needed To Prepare Air Fryer Tortellini

  • Air fryer for cooking the crispy air fryer tortellini
  • Pot for soaking the tortellini in boiling water before frying
  • Paper towels for blotting the pasta dry
  • Mixing bowls for the tortellini breading station

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Air Fryer Tortellini

Cheese tortellini

If cheese tortellini is out of stock, cheese ravioli is another easy, cheesy, and crispy appetizer idea to cook in the air fryer. Making air fryer ravioli is similar to cooking air fryer tortellini, so arrange the pasta in a single-layer batch to achieve that mouthwatering golden brown air-fried ravioli.

Panko breadcrumbs 

Panko breadcrumbs and Italian breadcrumbs can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Both provide a crispy texture on the air fryer tortellini, which is perfect for dipping because it helps the sauce cover up each cheesy and crunchy bite.

Marinara sauce

This kid and adult-approved air fryer tortellini recipe can be served on its own straight out of the air fryer. But the hot, cheesy, and versatile dish are also the perfect vessel for the crowd-pleasing marinara sauce.

How to Make Air Fryer Tortellini

Ingredients

Tools you need

Instructions

STEP 1: Gather all the air fryer tortellini ingredients. 

air fryer tortellini

STEP 2: Place tortellini in boiling water for about 4 minutes or until soft. Soaking in boiling water ensures al dente pasta before air frying. 

STEP 3: Drain the tortellini and blot them dry before transferring them immediately to another bowl to avoid overcooking. 

air fryer tortellini

STEP 4: In another bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder.

STEP 5: Whisk eggs in a separate bowl and prepare another bowl to mix Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.

air fryer tortellini

STEP 6: Coat tortellini in the cornstarch mixture, then dip in the egg mixture. 

air fryer tortellini

STEP 7: Transfer the coated tortellini to the breadcrumbs mixture.

STEP 8: Set the coated tortellini in the air fryer. Fill the air fryer basket but arrange the tortellini in a single layer for even crispy cooking. 

air fryer tortellini

STEP 9: Coat tortellini with cooking spray and cook for 10 minutes per batch at 350°F.

STEP 10: Shake the air fryer basket every 3 minutes, and the delicious and crispy air fryer tortellini are good to go!

What To Serve With Air Fryer Tortellini

There are many types of tortellini, but with cheese tortellini, any tomato dish will surely complete it.

Lazy cooks can quickly heat store-bought tomato or marinara sauce that perfectly hugs each crusted tortellini.

air fryer tortellini

They’d also work with another pasta dish if considering air fryer tortellini as a dish for dinner. For example, try fettuccine alfredo and have the creamy white sauce complement the hot, cheesy air-fried tortellini.

But if wanting something lighter, veggie-based soups like tomato, onion, or basil will taste like a dream with each crispy tortellini with hot cheese inside.

Here are some other yummy dishes that will go well with fried appetizers:

If you’re looking for a tasty and quick dish to make, Air Fryer Tortellini is your answer. But why stop there when you can indulge in a mouth-watering vegetarian and keto-friendly meal?

I’m talking about Air Fryer Roasted Whole Cauliflower – it’s like a party in your mouth, complete with butter.

Tips About Making Air Fryer Tortellini

It’s impossible to ruin this air fryer tortellini. But to ensure that each piece will be cooked to golden brown perfection, keep these tips in mind:

  • To avoid overcooking the pasta, soak the tortellini in boiling water and take them out after a few minutes before air frying.
  • It will be hard to coat frozen tortellini in batter, so boil and dry them completely before dipping them in bread crumbs.
  • The secret to crispy tortellini pasta is to cook in batches and ensure that no pasta is overlapping in the air fryer basket.

How To Store Air Fryer Tortellini

While it’s unlikely to get leftover air fryer tortellini, they would still taste good and not lose the satisfying crunchy crust if stored correctly.

Fridge: Some busy people can cook air fryer tortellini in advance and store the cooled, crispy pasta pockets in an airtight container. Set them in the refrigerator for two to three days, but remember to keep the dip separately.

Freezer: Because they are fried and dry, air fryer tortellini can be stored in the freezer. They should be kept in an airtight container for three months.

Reheating: Remember the same way they’re cooked? Reheating tortellini is the same, where they’re crisped back up in the air fryer for five minutes at 350°F.

air fryer tortellini

How Do You Know If Tortellini Is Bad?

Like any other pasta dish, it’s easy to determine if the tortellini has gone bad. It’s time to throw them out if the dish has an unpleasant odor, odd appearance, or has developed molds. 

Can you cook expired tortellini? The expiration date is the manufacturer’s assumed date when their product’s quality will deteriorate, so the quality of any expired pasta will not be the best.

Can You Eat Cold Tortellini?

Cooked tortellini can be eaten cold. But with air fryer tortellini, they’re most enjoyable hot, and crispy.

FAQ About Air Fryer Tortellini

Can you freeze tortellini?

Fresh and cooked tortellini pieces can be frozen to prolong their shelf life, but always use an airtight container.

Can you bake tortellini without boiling?

Yes, it’s possible to do a no-boil baked tortellini, but fried tortellini are best as al dente before popping them in the air fryer to avoid hard pasta.

How many calories in tortellini?

According to USDA, 100 grams of cheese tortellini has 307 calories.

air fried tortellini

Air Fryer Tortellini

Yield: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Try this air fryer tortellini recipe if feeling lazy but craving something cheesy and crunchy. Uses common ingredients and ready in just  25 minutes!

Instructions

  1. Gather all the air fryer tortellini ingredients. 
  2. Place tortellini in boiling water for about 4 minutes or until soft. Soaking in boiling water ensures al dente pasta before air frying. 
  3. Drain the tortellini and blot them dry before transferring them immediately to another bowl to avoid overcooking. 
  4. In another bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  5. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl and prepare another bowl to mix Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
  6. Coat tortellini in the cornstarch mixture, then dip in the egg mixture. 
  7. Transfer the coated tortellini to the breadcrumbs mixture.
  8. Set the coated tortellini in the air fryer. Fill the air fryer basket but arrange the tortellini in a single layer for even crispy cooking. 
  9. Coat tortellini with cooking spray and air fry for 10 minutes per batch at 350°F.
  10. Shake the air fryer basket every 3 minutes, and the delicious and crispy air fryer tortellini are good to go!

Notes

  • Soak the tortellini in boiling water before cooking them in the air fryer, as frying them straight will lead to a tough texture. 
  • If using frozen tortellini, boil them to al dente, drain, and pat dry before starting the coating process with the cornstarch, eggs, and breadcrumbs, or the batter won’t stick well. 
  • Cooking time will vary for every air fryer, but arranging the tortellini in a single layer should ensure the best results and prevent soggy pasta.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 999mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

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Conclusion

Air fryer tortellini is so easy and damn good that it would be a sin not to try this recipe, especially for air fryer owners.

Psst! This is the air-fryer I own and absolutely recommend.

Simply get store-bought cheese tortellini and prepare a batter station with common pantry ingredients, and the air fryer will do the rest.

air fryer tortellini

 

Since it’s a simple dish without vegetables, consider preparing a healthy dip like tomato sauce for these crispy and cheesy bites. Otherwise, these air-fried tortellini are easy to overconsume, especially when hot straight out of the air fryer.

Add some Italian flair to your air fryer game with these crispy and delicious air fryer tortellinis!

And while you’re at it, try Rachna’s equally delicious and vegan air fryer frozen potato wedges for a complete and guilt-free snacking experience.

If you liked this air fryer tortellini recipe, you’d love these similarly easy and yummy meals:

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