Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi Recipe (Easy Snack Ready in Minutes)

These crunchy squares come together in minutes and go well with your favorite tomato sauce. My daughter calls them “garlicky potato pillows” and always picks out the crispiest ones for her! Sometimes my husband has to prep a second batch because loves them too.

For more easy air fryer recipes, try my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. They’re perfect for an afternoon snack. Now, let’s air-fry some gnocchi!

These crispy air fryer gnocchi with smoky paprika are a game-changer! They’re one of our favorite recipes for afterschool snacking, game-days, or comfort food cravings.

Effortless: Toss everything together, then let the air fryer do the rest.

Little oil: There's no need for a deep fryer.

Convenient: All the ingredients are pantry staples.

Versatile: Dip in sauces, add to salads, or turn them into the main dish.

This oregano-garlic air fryer gnocchi recipe uses simple ingredients for maximum crunch! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.

• Potato gnocchi: Store-bought or shelf-stable gnocchi is best. Homemade gnocchi (fresh gnocchi) works too, but reduce the cooking time by 1-3 minutes.
• Olive oil: Avocado oil is a good swap because it has a high smoke point.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but feel free to substitute for ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
• Parmesan cheese: Pecorino and grano padano are wonderful swaps.
• Smoked paprika: Regular paprika is milder in case you prefer. Avoid sweet paprika.
• Dried oregano: For an even herbier, savory flavor, use Italian seasoning instead.
• Salt & black pepper: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are best.
• Fresh parsley: It's an optional garnish. You can also use fresh basil.
• Marinara sauce: It can be plain or pre-seasoned for extra flavor. Ketchup is a good swap for little ones.

See recipe card for quantities.

These cheesy, crispy gnocchi are a quick, no-boil snack! All you need to do is toss, air fry, and serve for golden, crunchy bites within minutes.

1. Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a medium bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Step 2: Add the gnocchi and toss until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

3. Step 3: Arrange the gnocchi in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there’s space between pieces for maximum crispiness. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook in batches if necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer, until golden and crispy.

These Italian-inspired air-fried gnocchi are perfect for switching up depending on what you're craving! Try these yummy twists:

Make them spicy: Add ⅛-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or chili powder to the ingredients for a spicy kick.

Go dairy-free/vegan: Skip the Parmesan cheese or use vegan cheese.

Tex-Mex gnocci: Swap the Parmesan for a Tex-Mex cheese blend and use taco seasoning instead of dried oregano for a smoky variation. Top with crispy bacon for extra crunch.

Make it a Greek main: Add leftover Baked Greek Chicken Meatballs and ¼ cup cherry tomatoes to the air fryer during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking for a Mediterranean chicken-and-gnocchi dinner.

Different types: Use sweet potato gnocchi or even Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi for different flavor profiles.

These seasoned, crispy potato gnocchi are incredibly versatile for weeknights and other occasions! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy them:

• Dip in marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, cheese sauce, Spicy Garlic Aioli, or Homemade Chipotle Sauce.
• Serve as a simple side with grilled chicken, turkey, salmon, or steak.
• Add them to my Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup instead of croutons.
• Toss with ½ teaspoon truffle oil for a gourmet touch.
• Use as a salad topper for my Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Chickpea Salad and Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Feta.
• Serve as a quick snack alongside my Street Corn Guacamole and Black Bean Feta Dip.

These Parmesan-herb air fryer gnocchi are best fresh but they reheat well. Here’s how to store them for later:

Refrigerator

In an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezer

Cooked gnocchi can be stored in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. Reheat straight from frozen.

Reheating

In the air fryer for 3–5 minutes to restore their crispy texture. If frozen, add 1-2 extra minutes.

These simple tips and tricks will give you perfectly crisp gnocchi with minimal clean-up every time:

Space them out: Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, otherwise the gnocci will steam around the sides rather than "fry". Make sure there's a bit of space between the pieces for a golden brown exterior all-around.

Reduce clean-up: Line the air fryer basket with a paper liner or parchment paper so you don't have to worry about cleaning out the air fryer once you're done cooking.

Prevent sticking: Hold the Parmesan cheese until after you've air fried the gnocci. Sprinkle it on top or toss it in. This prevents sticking and burning.

Skip the preheating: Some air fryers don't require preheating. Follow the manufacturers' instructions to know if yours needs to or not.

Here’s what other home cooks and Italian food-lovers are asking about this air fryer gnocchi recipe!

No! Air fry gnocchi straight from the package.

Yes! But you may need to reduce the cooking time by 1–3 minutes.

Use vegan cheese or skip the Parmesan for a dairy-free/vegan version.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Easy Greek Chicken and Feta Baked Meatballs Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Easy Turkey Roll-Ups with Cranberry Cream Cheese And Veggies

Easy Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa – Holiday Dip Made with Frozen Cranberries

Spooky-Cute Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Kids Will Love

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Air Fryer Gnocchi recipe:

Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad (Easy Salad with Yogurt Dressing)

Easy Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Chickpea Salad Recipe

Easy Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Feta & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Salad (Holiday Side Salad)

These garlic-Parmesan air fryer gnocchi are our favorite way to enjoy a quick, crunchy snack on busy weekdays! Share your creations on Instagram with @Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more easy air fryer recipes and recipe cards!