This crispy air fryer gnocchi may just change how you think about shelf stable gnocchi. When gnocchi is cooked only in the air fryer, the result is a super crispy exterior that tastes truly delicious with just about anything. Here, we are tossing crispy gnocchi with an easy and flavourful burst cherry tomato sauce that's ready in about 25 minutes total.

You'll love this weeknight friendly air fryer gnocchi because it's one of those meals that requires minimal prep, but rewards you with a tasty dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes. Even if you don't want to make this burst cherry tomato sauce, just make the air fryer gnocchi. It will change how you think about shelf stable gnocchi and it is the only way I'll cook that type of gnocchi now. The air fryer does it again!

Ingredients

For this easy air fried gnocchi, here's what you'll need to make it. I've also included the ingredients for the burst cherry tomato sauce, because it's so good served with the crispy gnocchi.

• shelf stable gnocchi
• extra virgin olive oil
• butter
• garlic cloves
• anchovies (packed in oil, drained)
• Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
• cherry tomatoes
• freshly grated Pecorino Romano (or substitute with parmigiano reggiano)
• fresh basil

How to Make Gnocchi in the Air Fryer

Once you try shelf stable gnocchi in the air fryer, you won't go back to another method.

Previously, I had used a skillet to crisp up the gnocchi, like with this pan fried skillet gnocchi with brown butter and sage.

This method still works just fine, but the air fryer really gets things crispy. Plus it's an easier clean up and method for doing it as it doesn't require much effort from you.

Here's how to make air fryer gnocchi.

Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF. Pour the gnocchi into the air fryer and drizzle with the oil.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, tossing occasionally, until crispy.

You can work in batches if you want to really brown the gnocchi, but I'm too lazy to do that. I toss in the whole package, drizzle with oil and bake.

It doesn't get easier that this!

How to Make the Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce

I love serving the crispy air fryer gnocchi with a simple tomato sauce like this one. It coats the gnocchi but doesn't drown it in sauce, thus defeating the purpose of air frying and getting that crispy exterior.

Of course, a brown butter and sage sauce would be lovely too, check out how to make that here.

So while the gnocchi is getting crispy in the air fryer, make this sauce.

In a skillet, over medium heat, add the butter and brown until fragrant and toasted, about four to five minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add in the anchovies and pepper flakes and cook for one minute.

Pour in the tomatoes along with the water and cook until tender and starting to burst.

Use the back of a wooden spoon to press down and burst some of the tomatoes. This should take about six to eight minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Once the tomatoes have burst and become jammy with the sauce, pour in the gnocchi. Toss to combine everything. Garnish with the cheese and fresh basil. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Tips

• Toss occasionally: after pouring the gnocchi in the air fryer, toss occasionally to get all sides crispy and slightly browned. I usually do this about three to four times throughout.
• Shelf stable gnocchi: this method works with shelf stable gnocchi. I have also made this with Trader Joe's frozen cauliflower gnocchi which also works so well, the timing and temperature are the same.
• Serve immediately: once the gnocchi is tossed in the tomato sauce, it's best enjoyed right away. Otherwise, the gnocchi will get soft again and lose that crispy exterior.

Substitutions

• Aleppo pepper: although I love Aleppo pepper and use it very often, if you don't have it, substitute with chili flakes. The flavour is a little different, but it will work.
• Anchovies: I love adding anchovies to this recipe (and lots of others) as it adds a lot of flavour, nutrients and you'll barely taste it in a sauce like this. However, if you don't want to use them or want to keep this vegetarian, you can omit them. Adding in some sun dried tomatoes can add some umami flavour back in.
• Pecorino Romano: use freshly grated parmigiano reggiano instead. You can omit if you don't want any dairy. A sprinkle of nutritional yeast would be nice on top as well.
• Basil: use some chopped fresh Italian parsley instead.

Which Air Fryer Do I Use & Recommend

I've tried three different air fryers over the years, and my most recent is also my favourite.

It's the Wonder Oven from Our Place. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it, for several reasons.

• Aesthetically pleasing: as with all Our Place products, the design is unmatched. This means you can leave it out on your countertop and don't need to hide it away in a cluttered drawer.
• Non-toxic: the trays that come with the Wonder Oven are all non-toxic and made from stainless steel and aluminum with a toxin-free nonstick ceramic coating. This is SO hard to find with other types of air fryers and is the main reason I use it so much.
• Different cooking modes: this is not just an air fryer, it can air fry, bake, toast, roast, reheat and broil. I also love the steam function for bringing breads back to life.
• Compact size: I love how small and mighty it is. It won't take up much room on your countertops, something that was so important to me living in a condo with limited countertop space.

The only drawbacks I've noticed while using this is the timer function. It's not digital and can be hard to be precise when using it. So I prefer to just use the timer on my oven or microwave when using it to be sure it's exact. The knob also has to be turned off manually by turning it rather than having an on/off switch.

But honestly, other than those missing features, it's such a great appliance and I do recommend it.

You can check out Our Place Wonder Oven here!

Ingredients & Products I Recommend:

Kosher salt:

I exclusively use Diamond Crystal kosher salt for all of my recipes. I prefer the texture, taste and consistency of this brand and highly recommend it for everyday cooking.

More Pasta Recipes to Try:

I really, really love noodles and pasta, so be sure to check out these other fun recipes!

• Ravioli with Creamy Spinach Pesto Sauce
• Harissa Pasta with Burrata
• Pan Fried Gnocchi with Sage & Brown Butter
• Easy Miso Carbonara
• Chili Crisp Noodles
• Pasta with Burrata and Sausage
• Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce and Crunchy Celery
• Healthy Pad Thai
• Chicken Noodle Salad with Thai Bang-Bang Sauce

Are you ready to make this? Let's get to it!

As always, if you make this easy air fryer crispy gnocchi with burst tomato sauce please share with me, by tagging me on Instagram or leave a comment and/or review below. I truly love seeing and hearing form you!

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