Air Fryer Pasta Croutons (Printable)

Golden, crunchy pasta bites air-fried with savory seasonings for a tasty topping or snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups dried short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - Pat the pasta thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese (if using) until evenly coated.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Place the seasoned pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pasta is golden brown and crunchy.
07 - Allow the pasta croutons to cool completely before using as a salad topper or a savory snack.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns something ordinary into a crunchy, addictive topper that makes even a simple salad feel special.
  • You control the seasoning completely, so it never tastes stale or bland like store-bought croutons.
  • It uses up leftover pasta or gives you a reason to boil a quick batch just for snacking.
  • The air fryer does all the work, no oven preheating or flipping sheet pans required.
02 -
  • Undercooking the pasta by 2 minutes is non-negotiable, fully cooked pasta turns mushy and chewy instead of crisp.
  • Drying the pasta thoroughly is the difference between crunchy and soggy, even a little water will ruin the texture.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through is essential, otherwise the pieces touching the bottom will burn while the top stays pale.
  • Do not skip the cooling step, hot pasta croutons are soft and only reach peak crunch once they have cooled down completely.
03 -
  • If you want extra cheesy croutons, toss them with a little more Parmesan right after they come out of the air fryer while they are still hot.
  • For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free pasta shape and follow the same timing, just watch closely as some brands crisp faster.
  • Try tossing cooled croutons with a drizzle of truffle oil and flaky sea salt for an elevated snack that feels fancy but takes zero extra effort.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at the 9-minute mark to avoid burning, every machine is a little different.
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