These air fryer gnocchi have the best crispy edges and soft centres! So simple to make, enjoy this air fried gnocchi as a quick side dish for an easy weeknight meal.
Check out my gnocchi with ricotta cheese and crispy gnocchi and Brussels sprouts for more easy dinner ideas!
Easy side dishes are just the thing to have in your back pocket for a busy weeknight dinner don't you think? Making this air fried gnocchi couldn't be more simple and it gives the best crispy edges and soft centres. Far better than just boiling alone I think!
If you love gnocchi as much as I do, then I think you will want to take a peek at my vegetable gnocchi soup for a cozy lunch and my gnocchi with butternut squash sauce for a tasty dinner!
And if air fryer sides are your favorite (like mine!), do have a peek at my air fryer roasted cauliflower steaks and air fried sweet potato wedges.
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
A fun change from potatoes or rice. We still have all the comfort food vibes with this air fryer gnocchi, and it makes for a tasty side dish.
Easy to flavor. I suggest thyme as it's delicious, but you can always swap out for a herb of your choice!
Quick and simple to make. No need to switch the oven on, just flavor your gnocchi and air fry your tasty side.
🥔 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
Some notes on a few of them:
- Gnocchi - the little balls of potato, flour and egg that are so tasty! This recipe uses shelf stable gnocchi that you typically find in a vaccum packed bag.
- Garlic powder - adds a lovely flavor. If you're a garlic lover you may like to add a pinch more!
📖 Swaps and variations
Swap dried thyme for another herb. There are so many options, including blends such as Italian seasoning and herbs de Provence or individual herbs. If using a blend I suggest checking all the herbs work for you (particularly for my low histamine readers).
🔪 Step by step instructions
The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but the photos below should help guide you.
Making this gnocchi in an air fryer is very simple, and has just a couple of steps:
Step 1
Season the gnocchi. Add your gnocchi to a large bowl. Pour in the olive oil, and sprinkle with dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and black pepper (image 1).
Step 2
Air fry the gnocchi. After preheating the air fryer, tip the gnocchi into your basket. Shake so they are in an even layer and not too overcrowded (you may want to cook in batches depending upon your air fryer).
Air fry for 8-12 minutes. Cooking for 8 minutes will give you a softer gnocchi with slightly crispy edges, which is personally how I like it. But if you like a crispier gnocchi, air fry at 2 minute intervals to the texture you like best (image 2).
💭 Expert recipe tips and notes
- If the gnocchi are stuck together in the packet, give them a shake or pull apart gently so they are loose.
- Stir or use your hands to evenly coat the gnocchi in the oil and herb mix. The gnocchi needs to be coated in the oil so the herbs stick to them, or they will just fly off while being air fried!
- Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes so they cook evenly.
- Check the gnocchi after 8 minutes (carefully they will be hot!) and continue to air fry for a crispier gnocchi if you like.
- If you have a smaller air fryer or a dual basket air fryer as I do, then you may need to work in batches.
📋 Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need to pre-cook at all. The air fryer will cook the gnocchi for you!
For gnocchi that has slightly crispy edges but is quite soft in the centre, you want to air fry for about 8 minutes. For crispier air fryer gnocchi continue to cook in 2 minute intervals to the texture you like.
Most store-bought gnocchi contains flour and so is not gluten free.
Gnocchi typically comprises potato, flour and egg. It's suitable for those who tolerate wheat (in the flour) and egg (this is debated in terms of histamine levels, with different histamine giving different levels). Please be mindful that some will need to use fresh gnocchi and not packaged gnocchi due to the time spent on the shelf and any other ingredients used. This recipe is for shelf stable gnocchi not fresh gnocchi. This egg free gnocchi recipe may be helpful for those who cannot tolerate egg. I haven't tried cooking it in air fryer (yet!).
📖 Storage suggestions
This air fried gnocchi is best served immediately. I have tried to store it overnight in a tupperware container but it became too dry for my taste.
🍽 What to serve with gnocchi
This gnocchi is a versatile side dish and can be served with meat, fish or plant-based mains. Some ideas:
- For an easy meal using your air fryer, I think my air fried boneless chicken thighs and air fryer frozen cod fillets both work perfectly and no need to turn the oven on! Perhaps with my air fryer mini peppers or my air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts as a side!
- Gnocchi goes so well with creamy sauces, making it work perfectly with my creamy paprika chicken or creamy sage turkey.
- Drizzle over some of my macadamia nut pesto for a tasty vegan comfort food dinner, perhaps with a green salad.
🥣 More healthy side dishes
You'll find so many ideas on my sides page, including other air fryer options such as my air fried broccoli and cauliflower and bok choy. Some recent recipes to enjoy:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And I love to hear from you - so please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ and comment if you've tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Gnocchi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb shelf stable gnocchi
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder more to preference
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390F / 200C for 3 minutes.
- Add the gnocchi to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over the dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Toss to combine so the gnocchi is evenly coated.
- Lightly spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Tip the gnocchi into your basket in an even layer. Depending upon your style of air fryer you may wish to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes at 390F / 200C, shaking the basket well every 3-4 minutes. Air frying for 8 minutes will give you a slightly crispy gnocchi with softer centres. If you prefer a crispier gnocchi, air fry at 2 minute intervals to the texture you like.
Notes
- Stir or use your hands to evenly coat the gnocchi in the oil and herb mix. The gnocchi needs to be coated in the oil so the herbs stick to them, or they will just fly off while being air fried!
- Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes so they cook evenly.
- Check the gnocchi after 8 minutes and continue to air fry for a crispier gnocchi if you like.
- If you have a smaller air fryer or a dual basket air fryer as I do, then you may need to work in batches.
- Gnocchi typically comprises potato, flour and egg. It's suitable for those who tolerate flour and egg (this is debated in terms of histamine levels, with different histamine lists giving different levels). Please be mindful that some will need to use fresh gnocchi and not packaged gnocchi due to the time spent on the shelf and any other ingredients used. This recipe is for shelf stable gnocchi not fresh gnocchi.
- black pepper, scores 2.
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