Crunchy Pasta Chips | Air Fryer OR Oven!

5 from 4 votes

Sep 20, 2021

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Tender pasta shapes are tossed with cheese, garlic, basil and olive oil before air-frying to a crispy delicious treat. These Crunchy Pasta Chips are a snackable appetizer everyone will enjoy!

plate with baked pasta chips served with a side of basil pesto and marinara sauce

Easy Crunchy Pasta Chips in the Air Fryer or Oven

Have you ever tried pasta chips? They’re a snack that was popular for a while, fell out of fashion, and then came back big time, thanks to air fryers and viral TikTok videos! As you all know, I’m a big pasta fan anyway, so I was excited to try making pasta chips in the air fryer.

And, of course, they turned out ah-may-zing, because doesn’t pretty much everything in the air fryer turn out great? At this point, I think that machine could do anything!

If you make a batch of these crunchy pasta chips, I recommend having a nice marinara sauce on hand, or some basil pesto. Pasta Chips are addictive on their own, but even better with something saucy for dipping.

Are pasta chips healthy?

Actually, yes, pasta chips can be a healthier snack. With a good-quality pasta, simple seasonings, and olive oil, this is an easy snack that cooks up with very little extra oil, thanks to the air fryer. You can even make them gluten-free! Just grab a bag of gluten free pasta.

What You’ll Need

So what exactly do you need to make pasta chips? Well, pasta, of course, and a bit of oil for air frying. From there it’s all about the seasoning.

Let’s take a look at each ingredient with more detail (for the full recipe with amounts and nutrition facts, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Pasta: You can make pasta chips with just about any pasta. I like bite-sized shapes like penne, bow tie, rigatoni, etc.
Olive Oil: We’ll toss the pasta with a tablespoon of olive oil, just before frying.
Cheese: A little bit of freshly grated asiago or parmigiano-reggiano makes these utterly crave-able!
Garlic Powder: This handy spice adds so much flavor!
Basil: Dried basil tastes perfect with crispy pasta, garlic, and cheese.
Dipping Sauce: These are great as-is, but it’s also nice to have some basil pesto or marinara (or both!), for serving.

bowl with boiled pasta and a mount of parmesan cheese in the middle of it.

How to Make Pasta Chips

The basic idea here is to make pasta, season it and add the cheese, and then either bake or air fry until crispy. Easy, right?

Air Fryer Method

Make the Pasta. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, drain it and rinse in a colander. Then place the drained and rinsed pasta in a large bowl, and toss it with the olive oil, cheese, and seasoning until completely combined.
Air Fry the Pasta in Batches. Preheat your Air Fryer to 400˚F. Using half of the pasta at a time, add the pasta to the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes or so, until the pasta shapes are browned and crispy. You’ll need to shake the basket a couple of times during the cooking process to make sure they air-fry evenly. Repeat this process with the second half of the pasta.
Enjoy! Remove the pasta chips from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Garnish them with freshly grated cheese, and serve warm with the dipping sauces (if using).

Oven Method

Make the Pasta. As with the air fryer method, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, drain it and rinse in a colander. Then place the drained and rinsed pasta in a large bowl, and toss it with the olive oil, cheese, and seasoning until completely combined.
Bake the Pasta. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil (or line it with parchment paper). Arrange the pasta shapes on the baking sheet, keeping them in a single layer so they’ll get crispy. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, or until browned and crispy, shaking the baking sheet or turning the pasta several times during the cooking process.
Enjoy! Take the pasta out of the oven, and transfer to a serving plate or dish. Garnish with cheese, and serve warm with the dipping sauces (if using).

Tips for Success

What else should you know about making this fun little snack? I do have a few tips and ideas for customizing the chips to your taste. Here ya go!

Salt the Pasta Water: Pasta is a grain product, and like most grains, it’s very bland on its own. However, adding just a bit of salt during the cooking process completely wakes up the flavor, and turns plain old pasta into a delicious food! I highly recommend salting the pasta water, so that you get that extra flavor cooked into the pasta.
Keep It Al Dente: Make sure not to boil the pasta too long. If you do, it may become mushy, and even come apart while you stir in the cheese and seasonings.
Make It Your Own: You could make these with taco seasoning (and salsa or queso for dipping), barbecue seasoning (and honey mustard for dipping), ranch (and bean dip for dipping), or whatever you like!

Serving Suggestions

Pasta chips make an amazing snack on their own, but I think they also shine as part of a small plate or appetizer smorgasbord, or as a crispy side with some good soup. Here are some great recipes to try!

Cowboy Caviar: Savory, light, and refreshing, Cowboy Caviar is a salsa-like salad bursting with Tex-Mex flavor! I love it anytime, and I love that it’s good for you, too.
Stuffed Avocado: Fresh basil, tiny mozzarella balls, and juicy tomatoes make a delightful caprese salad, stuffed inside a fresh avocado. Yum! This Caprese Stuffed Avocado is sure to be your new favorite appetizer!
Autumn Soup: My Italian Sausage Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect soup for chilly fall weather, and pairs perfectly with crispy, garlic-and-basil pasta chips.

close up of baked pasta chips served with basil pesto

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftover pasta chips, place them in airtight containers or bags and store them at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.

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5 from 4 votes