Crunchy Parmesan Pasta Chips (Printer View)

Crispy, golden pasta shells coated in Parmesan and spices, air-fried to a perfect crunch.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)

→ Coating

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
06 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp sea salt
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ To Serve (optional)

09 - Marinara sauce, for dipping

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente following package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
02 - Transfer cooled pasta to a large bowl and toss with olive oil until evenly coated.
03 - Add grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the pasta. Toss until all pieces are uniformly coated.
04 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange pasta in a single layer inside the air fryer basket; work in batches if necessary. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - Remove chips and let cool slightly. Serve with marinara sauce if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They transform humble leftover pasta into something that feels like an elevated restaurant appetizer
  • The crunch is ridiculously satisfying, like crossing potato chips with garlic bread
  • You can customize the seasonings to match whatever mood youre in
02 -
  • Do not skip the cold water rinse after boiling or the pasta keeps cooking and turns mushy
  • Drying the pasta with paper towels is the step most people miss, and it makes the biggest difference
  • Crowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with soggy, uneven chips
03 -
  • Let the coated pasta sit for 10 minutes before air frying—the flavors meld and the coating sticks better
  • If you do not have an air fryer, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway
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