Air Fryer Pasta Christmas (Printable)

Crispy air-fried bowtie pasta with a sweet and salty cinnamon sugar coating for festive gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ For Frying

02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Cinnamon Sugar Mix

03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Finishing

06 - 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter

# Directions:

01 - Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Toss the cooked pasta with vegetable oil until evenly coated.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
04 - Arrange pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry in batches for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt in a wide bowl.
06 - Transfer crispy pasta to a large bowl, drizzle immediately with melted butter and toss to coat.
07 - While still warm, add the cinnamon sugar mix to the pasta and toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
08 - Allow to cool completely for maximum crunch before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It uses pantry staples you probably already have, so no special shopping trip required.
  • The crispy texture is oddly satisfying, like a cross between a churro and a crouton.
  • You can make a big batch in under half an hour and it vanishes even faster.
  • Kids and adults alike reach for it mindlessly, which makes it perfect for holiday gatherings.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pasta after boiling, it will never get crispy no matter how long you air fry it.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or you will end up with chewy spots instead of an even golden crunch.
  • Add the butter and cinnamon sugar while the pasta is still hot, otherwise the coating will not stick properly.
03 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket every few minutes to prevent uneven browning and ensure all sides get crispy.
  • Use a wide bowl for tossing the cinnamon sugar so you have room to coat every piece without making a mess.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature to 190 degrees Celsius and add a minute or two to avoid burning.
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