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Air Fryer Gnocchi

Air Fryer Gnocchi with golden-crisp blistered edges and a fluffy interior, finished with garlic herb butter and parmesan. Quick to make with a simple toss, air-fry, then toss again for glossy flavor.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 630
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated — do not cook first
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For finishing
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley
  • 0.25 cup parmesan

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer
  • 1 skillet

Method
 

Season and coat the gnocchi
  1. In a bowl, toss the potato gnocchi with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Make sure the gnocchi are dry and un-cooked so the edges blister in the air fryer.
Air-fry until crisp
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the coated gnocchi in a single layer so they can brown instead of steam.
  2. Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway. Cook until the gnocchi are golden with crispy, blistered edges and a fluffy interior.
Finish with garlic butter
  1. Meanwhile, melt the butter with the minced garlic in a skillet for 1-2 minutes. Keep it just warmed so the garlic turns fragrant without burning.
  2. Toss the hot crispy gnocchi in the garlic butter until glossy. Top immediately with fresh parsley and parmesan for the best cling and melt.
Serve
  1. Serve the air fryer gnocchi immediately as a side. Add marinara for dipping if desired.

Notes

For extra crispness, spread the gnocchi into a single layer and avoid overcrowding—cook in batches if needed. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes to re-crisp. Freezing isn’t recommended because gnocchi texture can turn dense. Dietary swap: use dairy-free butter and parmesan-style topping for a dairy-free version.