There is nothing easier to make than these delicious Crispy Air Fryer Tortellini. This no-fuss, crispy snack recipe tastes just like the deep-fried version but without the oily mess.
Crispy, cheesy pasta, filled with warm cheese, will become your new favorite appetizer for parties, game time, or a fun family dinner. Serve with marinara for the ultimate treat.
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Table of contents
Yummy air fryer appetizers
The air fryer makes preparing for a party, snack, or game time so easy! Just whip up your little bites, pop them into the air fryer, and within minutes you have an appetizer that tastes like it was deep fried but without all the oily mess. Oh, and clean-up is a breeze! That's a win-win in my book!
These recipes are some of my favorites that are always requested for the munchie table - Pigs in a Blanket, Pizza Bites, Toasted Ravioli, and of course, Jalapeno Poppers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to make. Just toss the tortellini with some oil, seasonings, and Parmesan, pop them in the air fryer, and you’re done! There’s no complicated frying or mess, and the air fryer gives them that perfect crispy exterior everyone loves.
Cheesy coating. No breaded tortellini here! Just a light covering of parmesan cheese to up the cheesy flavor for the perfect appetizer.
Versatile recipe. Whether you prefer cheese-filled tortellini or want to try meat or veggie versions, they all work perfectly in this recipe. Change up the seasonings, use a flavored oil, and def experiment with your favorite dipping sauces.
A crowd-pleaser! The crispy texture combined with the soft tortellini filling is just plain irresistible. Serve them as an easy appetizer, the perfect snack, or with a side salad for a fun meal the entire family will love.
Simple and flavorful ingredients
This Air Fryer Tortellini recipe requires just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Refrigerated Tortellini: Use fresh tortellini such as veggie, meat-filled, or cheese tortellini for your base for the best result. They crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the tortellini get nice and crispy in the air fryer. Garlic-infused olive oil or even Italian salad dressing works great if you want an extra flavor boost.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, cheesy coating that gets extra crispy when fried.
- Italian Seasoning: A mix of herbs that enhances the tortellini’s flavor.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a nice touch of garlic to complement the Parmesan and Italian seasoning. You can also use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder for a less robust flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Balances out the richness and enhances the flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Chopped basil for garnish adds a pop of color and freshness.
- Marinara Sauce: Optional but highly recommended for dipping.
How to cook tortellini in an air fryer
Making these crispy bites is super easy and requires just a few steps.
- Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, mix the cooked tortellini with the seasoning and olive oil.
- Add cheese.
- Toss gently to coat.
- Place in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Do not overcrowd! They may have to be done in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry tortellini at 350°F for 8-9 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until golden brown and slightly crunchy.
- Pour into a bowl and toss with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. I like to spray mine with some olive oil cooking spray before tossing to help the cheese stick to the tortellini.
Garnish with chopped basil or fresh parsley. Serve these crispy tortellini piping hot with your favorite marinara sauce and dip away!
Recipe tips to get the perfect crunch
For the best results, make sure the tortellini are well-dried after boiling so they don’t steam in the air fryer.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping. Cook them in batches if necessary.
And don’t skip the extra toss of Parmesan at the end—it gives them an irresistible cheesy finish!
Recipe variations to customize your air-fried tortellini
This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to mix things up:
Try Different Fillings: Cheese, veggie, or meat tortellini all work great. Choose your favorite or mix them up!
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix for a bit of heat.
Swap the Oil: Use garlic-infused olive oil for an extra layer of flavor, or try a flavored oil like truffle or basil oil. Italian salad dressing also works great and adds a more subtle flavor.
Change Up the Dipping Sauces: Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce, pesto, or a creamy garlic dip for different flavor profiles.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tortellini will lose some of the crispiness in the fridge, but they’ll still be delicious.
Reheating: To bring back some of the crispiness, reheat the tortellini in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until they’re warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as they’ll become too soft.
More air fryer appetizer recipes to try
Find lots of easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!
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Air Fryer Tortellini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 ounces refrigerated tortellini cheese, veggie or meat
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or garlic olive oil
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Garnish: chopped basil
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boiling and cook tortellini until al dente per package instructions. Mine took about 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- In a large bowl, toss cooked tortellini with olive oil, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
- Place in the bottom of an air fryer basket, leaving room around each so that it cooks properly. Do not overcrowd! They may have to be done in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8-9 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crunchy.
- Pour into a bowl. I like to spray mine with a bit of olive oil then toss with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. The olive oil helps the cheese to stick to the tortellini. Garnish with chopped basil.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
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