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A close-up shot of steaming, golden-brown Air Fryer Tortellini seasoned with black pepper and parsley, served on a white plate against a dark background.
Layla

Crispy Air Fryer Tortellini with Marinara

Transform simple fresh or frozen tortellini into a delightfully crispy snack or appetizer using your air fryer. Perfect for dipping in warm marinara sauce, these golden bites are quick, easy, and satisfying.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 475
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tortellini
  • 19-20 oz fresh or frozen tortellini cheese or spinach & ricotta preferred, do not thaw if frozen
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For Serving
  • 1 cup marinara sauce warmed, for dipping
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prepare Tortellini Coating
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the fresh or frozen tortellini. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently with tongs or your hands until each tortellini is lightly coated.
  2. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss thoroughly again until all the tortellini are evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
Air Fry the Tortellini
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes, if your model requires preheating. This helps achieve a crispier result.
  2. Place the seasoned tortellini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; you may need to cook in two or three batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Overcrowding will result in steamed, not crispy, tortellini.
  3. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (around the 5-6 minute mark), until the tortellini are golden brown, puffy, and crispy. Cooking time may vary slightly based on your air fryer model and whether you used fresh or frozen tortellini (frozen might take an extra minute or two).
Serve
  1. Carefully transfer the crispy tortellini to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
  2. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

For an extra crispy coating, you can add 1 tablespoon of panko breadcrumbs along with the other seasonings. If using frozen tortellini, ensure they are not stuck together before coating. This recipe is best served fresh for optimal crispiness; leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.