Air Fryer Tortellini! Soft and cheesy in the middle with a crispy seasoned parmesan coating, these air-fried bites cook with a satisfying crunch (no bread crumbs or panko needed). The perfect party appetizer, side dish, and snack!
Crispy Air Fryer Tortellini
Our Air Fryer Tortellini recipe is my favorite way to prepare bite-sized pockets of pasta! It’s quick, easy, and delivers delicious results every time. Not to mention air-fried tortellini is even more fun to eat than the conventional method of making this same meal on the stovetop. So skip the fork, use your fingers, and start dipping!
I love air fryer recipes that rely on hot circulating air to air fry tortellini rather than deep frying in oil or dealing with a messy fry pan; you get the same satisfying crunch on the outside while keeping the cheesy tortellini filling soft and gooey.
If you like this air fryer crispy tortellini recipe, you will love my other air fryer favorites like our french fries, chicken wings, and nachos. You get all the flavor and crunch without the fatty oils!
Ingredients for the Best Air Fryer Tortellini
- Cheese tortellini: You can substitute frozen cheese tortellini for the fresh, but it may not have the same texture as the fresh.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic powder: Feel free to sprinkle in some onion powder too!
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley: You can use other fresh or dried herbs to garnish this dish, like fresh basil and dried oregano
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Tortellini
- Prepare The Pasta: Boil the tortellini on the stovetop for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Coat: Add the drained tortellini to a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and stir to coat. Add the seasonings and parmesan. Toss together until completely coated.
- Cook: Arrange the coated tortellini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes, shake the tortellini, and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve: Sprinkle with parmesan and chopped fresh parsley and serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
It’s always fun to transform tortellini into finger food! Perfect for game day gatherings, snacking, appetizers, or entertaining. Serve while hot and don’t forget the dipping sauces on the side!
Serve With Dipping Sauces: Pair with marinara sauce, garlic aioli, ranch dressing, alfredo sauce, or pesto for a flavorful dip that complements the crispy coating. Stick them with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Place On An Appetizer Platter: Serve alongside other finger foods like mozzarella sticks, garlic knots, or stuffed mushrooms for a crowd-pleasing party spread.
Salad Topper: Add these crispy bites as a crunchy topping for a salad for light, balanced meal.
Serve With Baked Bread: Tortellini pairs perfectly with Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread and Cauliflower Breadsticks, too!
Tips For Cooking Crispy Air Fryer Tortellini
- I used a COSORI brand air fryer for this recipe. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook your tortellini in batches. Be sure to follow your particular brand air fryer for preheating and cooking time, as air fryers can vary between brands and sizes.
- Don’t Forget To Drain: It’s important that all the water has drained from the tortellini in order for the oil, spices and parmesan to stick to the tortellini.
- Use Parchment Paper: You can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, but if your model requires preheating, do not line your air fryer during this process (simply spray with nonstick cooking spray instead). Always check your owner’s manual for instructions for preheating).
Variations To Try For the Tastiest Air Fryer Tortellini
- Pick Your Pasta: Tri-color cheese tortellini, ricotta cheese and spinach, or chicken and mozzarella make great substitutes for the plain cheese tortellini.
- Create Some Crunch: Dip the seasoned tortellini in a bowl of whisked eggs followed by panko breadcrumbs to create an extra crispy coating.
- Serve It Spicy: For a spicy alternative, add ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the oil and seasoning before cooking in the air fryer.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan tortellini and swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast or a plant-based parmesan alternative.
How To Store And Reheat Air Fryer Tortellini
- In The Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat the tortellini in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Tortellini
Ingredients
- 9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Divide ½ cup and ¼ cup
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. It’s important that all the water has drained from the tortellini in order for the oil, spices and parmesan to stick to the tortellini.9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- Add the drained tortellini to a medium size bowl, and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to completely coat.2½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and ½ cup of the freshly grated parmesan. Stir until the tortellini is completely coated with the seasoning and grated parmesan.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- If your air fryer requires it, preheat the 360°F. (Always check your owner’s manual for instructions for preheating)
- Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange the coated tortellini in a single layer in the prepared basket. (If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to bake the tortellini in batches) Bake for 6 minutes, shake the tortellini and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer the baked tortellini to a serving dish. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup grated parmesan and chopped fresh parsley.1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Jenn’s Notes
- In The Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat the tortellini in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
- I use a COSORI brand air fryer for this recipe. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook your tortellini in batches. Be sure to follow your particular brand air fryer for preheating and cooking time, as air fryers can vary between brands and sizes.
- You can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, but if your model requires preheating, do not line your air fryer during this process and spray with nonstick cooking spray instead. Always check your owner’s manual for instructions for preheating.
