Air Fryer Crispy Tortellini (Printable)

Golden breaded tortellini bites air-fried to perfection, served with marinara sauce for dipping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tortellini

01 - 14 oz refrigerated or frozen cheese or spinach tortellini

→ Breading

02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tablespoons milk
05 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
06 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - If using frozen tortellini, cook according to package instructions; drain and let cool slightly.
03 - Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk whisked together, and one with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper combined.
04 - Dredge each tortellini in flour, shake off excess, dip in egg mixture, then press into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
05 - Place breaded tortellini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil.
06 - Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot with warm marinara sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • You get restaurant-style appetizer results with practically zero effort and mess
  • The air fryer creates that impossibly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and cheesy
  • They reheat surprisingly well, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests
02 -
  • Don't overload your air fryer basket—work in batches if needed, because air circulation is the secret to achieving crunch all over
  • Spraying oil on the breaded tortellini before cooking makes a huge difference in color and texture
  • If the coating starts browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 20 degrees and extend the cooking time slightly
03 -
  • If you're feeding a crowd, keep the cooked batches warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest
  • For extra flavor, mix a tablespoon of grated Parmesan directly into your flour for an extra umami layer

Return