Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

Air fryer gnocchi is the best way to make gnocchi, hands down. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it’s ready in less than 15 minutes. Plus, it’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main dish or side dish! Air fryers are easy to clean, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food. This air fryer gnocchi can easily be made gluten free and dairy free also!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The best part about this air fryer gnocchi is that it’s ready in less than 15 minutes!

This recipe is super kid-friendly.

It makes for a delicious game day snack, appetizer or dinner!

This recipe can be made with any kind of gnocchi you have on hand (sweet potato, regular or cauliflower)!

This air fryer gnocchi is super crispy and delicious!

It’s really easy to make this recipe gluten free, dairy free and allergy-friendly.

Clean up time is minimal for this air fryer gnocchi.

Equipment Needed

All you need to make this recipe is an air fryer. I love my Instant Pot Duo Crisp because it doubles as an air fryer and instant pot!

Ingredients Needed

Gnocchi: You can put any type of gnocchi in the air fryer. Feel free to get creative here! I like to use regular gnocchi (gluten free), sweet potato gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi. I love the Isola Gnocchi from Whole Foods.

Oil: I use avocado oil here because it has a high smoke point. I really like the Chosen Foods avocado oil spray. If needed, use olive oil or any other oil you have on hand! I love ordering gluten free staples like oil from Thrive Market because they have great prices and they deliver right to your doorstep. If you use my link, you can get 40% off your first order.

Salt/Seasoning: My favorite is Redmond’s Real Salt garlic salt because it is high-quality and made with zero fillers. If you use my discount code LESSWITHLAUR you can get 15% off Redmond’s website.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: Place gnocchi in air fryer and sprinkle with oil and seasoning/salt. Preheat your air fryer to 400 F and air fry gnocchi for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip them halfway through to ensure they are cooked evenly.

Step 3: Pair with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!

Storage

I highly recommend eating this crispy air fryer gnocchi right out of the air fryer! To store air fryer gnocchi, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat air fryer gnocchi, place it in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat air fryer gnocchi in the oven or on the stovetop.

Variations

This crispy air fryer gnocchi is easily adaptable! There are so many different flavor variations that you can experiment with.

Try out a variety of of gnocchi! I love using plain gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi, homemade gnocchi, spinach gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi.

If you are looking for a sweet treat, try adding cinnamon sugar to your air fryer gnocchi. You can even add icing or frosting on the top and turn it into a dessert!

If you want a spicy kick, try out topping this gnocchi with hot sauce or using taco spices as seasoning. Buffalo sauce is also a great option here.

You can also add in meat to this recipe. Feel free to try out ground beef, ground turkey or even buffalo chicken here!

Mix it up with different dipping sauces. I love using pesto and marinara, but the options are endless. Some other dipping sauce ideas could include alfredo sauce, vodka sauce, cheese sauce (dairy free if needed), hummus, guacamole or salsa. If you love homemade hummus, try out my sesame-free hummus recipe!

Try adding different herbs and spices to this gnocchi, such as rosemary, thyme or paprika!

Get creative with the toppings! Add bacon, cheese (or dairy free cheese) or chopped vegetables.

How To Serve

If you are serving this crispy air fryer gnocchi as an appetizer or snack, I love pairing it with dipping sauces like pesto or marinara. My homemade creamy macadamia nut pesto is a great option for this!

If you are looking to eat this gnocchi as a meal, I would recommend pairing it with sauce, vegetables and/or a salad! This crispy air fryer gnocchi would also pair well with my tomato free chili recipe or use it in my creamy salmon pasta recipe!

Recipe FAQ

Do you need to boil gnocchi before air frying?

No, you do not need to boil gnocchi before air frying! That’s what makes this recipe so simple.

What is Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi?

Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi that is made up of primarily cauliflower instead of potato.

Are gnocchi healthy?

Gnocchi is not necessarily unhealthy, but it is not the healthiest food either. It sure is delicious though and it can be part of a balanced diet!

Is it better to boil or fry gnocchi?

Personally, I love air frying gnocchi the best! If you are looking to cook it another way, try out my Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup or my Summer Gnocchi Sheet Pan.

What’s the texture of air fryer gnocchi?

This air fryer gnocchi is super crispy and crunchy!

Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Yes, you can definitely use frozen gnocchi. You may have to cook it a little longer though.

Can I use homemade gnocchi?

Yes, of course! That would be delicious.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

This recipe can be made vegan by ensuring that you are using a vegan gnocchi.

Related Recipes

Be sure to try these other fun appetizer ideas next:

Hummus Platter

Buffalo Wings

Toasted Ravioli

Sesame Free Hummus

Air Fryer Cucumber Salmon Bites

If you make this crispy air fryer gnocchi and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.