Air Fryer Pasta Chips

Name: Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 servings
Ingredients: 300 gm / 10.5 oz Dried Pasta; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast; 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Introduction

Air Fryer Pasta Chips are a simple and crunchy snack made by cooking pasta, seasoning it, and air frying until crispy. This method transforms regular pasta into a light, crispy alternative to chips. Farfalle is commonly used because of its shape and texture, but other short pasta varieties work too.

The key to getting the right texture is cooking the pasta until fully soft—not just al dente. Once cooked, it’s rinsed under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. After that, the pasta is tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast for a light, cheesy flavor.

Air frying is the quickest way to crisp up the pasta, taking about 18 to 20 minutes at 180°C (360°F). Shaking the basket every few minutes helps ensure even browning. Baking is another option, though it takes slightly longer.

These pasta chips are best eaten fresh while still warm and crispy. They pair well with dips like vegan tzatziki, marinara, or hummus. Storing them in an airtight container can help keep them crisp for a short time, but they may lose some texture over time.

The recipe is straightforward and uses simple ingredients. It’s not gluten-free due to the pasta but is naturally nut-free, soy-free, and sugar-free. Different seasonings can be added for variety, making it easy to customize based on personal taste.

Ingredients

300 gm / 10.5 oz Dried Pasta
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in a pot of water until fully cooked (not just al dente). The pasta should be soft but not mushy.
Cool & Drain: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
Season Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
Add Seasonings: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder over the pasta. Toss well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Air Fry: Place the seasoned pasta in the air fryer basket. Shake the basket to spread the pasta evenly.
Crisp & Shake: Set the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) and cook for 14 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even browning. Note that not all air fryers are the same, so your timing will differ.
Serve: Once the pasta chips are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy with vegan tzatziki, or garlic aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Recipe Notes

Use any short pasta shape, but farfalle works well due to its texture and edges.
The pasta must be fully cooked (not al dente) to ensure crispiness.
Rinsing pasta under cold water stops the cooking process and prevents clumping.
Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor, but it can be substituted with vegan parmesan.
Shake the air fryer basket frequently for even cooking and browning.
Cooking time may vary based on the air fryer model, so check at the 12-minute mark.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure all pasta pieces crisp up.
The chips will crisp further as they cool, so allow them to rest for a few minutes.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container but may lose crispness over time.
Serve immediately with a dip for the best texture and flavor.