Ingredients
Pasta
- 9 oz cheese tortellini
Breading & Seasoning
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Others
- 3 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F and allow it to preheat while you prepare the tortellini.
- Cook tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, then add the cheese tortellini. Boil for about 4 minutes until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Drain and dry: Drain the tortellini carefully and gently blot them dry with paper towels. Transfer them immediately to a bowl to prevent overcooking from residual heat.
- Prepare dry coating mix: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder thoroughly to create the initial coating mixture.
- Whisk eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the three large eggs until smooth to serve as the adhesive layer for the breading.
- Mix breadcrumb coating: In another bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, shredded Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning evenly.
- Coat tortellini: Toss the tortellini pieces first in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring they are lightly coated, then dip each piece into the egg wash. Finally, press each tortellini into the breadcrumb mixture, coating thoroughly for a crispy crust.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the coated tortellini in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding by cooking in batches if necessary to ensure even crisping.
- Air fry: Lightly spray the tortellini with cooking spray to promote browning. Cook the pasta at 350°F for about 10 minutes per batch, shaking the basket every 3 minutes to facilitate even cooking and browning.
- Serve: Once the tortellini turns golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute cheese tortellini with meat or spinach-filled varieties, adjusting the cooking time slightly if needed.
- Ensure the tortellini are well dried before coating to help the breading adhere better.
- For an extra flavor boost, serve with marinara sauce or a garlic aioli dip.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness and ensure even cooking.
- Shaking the basket regularly is crucial for even browning on all sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian