Air Fryer Pasta Christmas (Printer-friendly)

Crispy bowtie pasta with cinnamon sugar blend, perfect for festive snacking and 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Boil bowtie pasta in salted water for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and pat dry thoroughly using 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 inside the air fryer basket in batches. Air fry 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 and immediately drizzle with melted butter. Toss to coat completely.
07 - While pasta is still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
08 - Allow the coated pasta to cool completely to maximize crunchiness before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It uses pantry staples you probably already have, so no last-minute grocery runs.
  • The sweet-salty-crunchy combination is dangerously addictive and disappears faster than you'd think.
  • You can prep it ahead and it stays crispy for days, making it perfect for gift tins or snack emergencies.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or the pasta will steam instead of crisp, and you'll lose that satisfying crunch.
  • Toss with butter immediately after frying while the pasta's still hot, or the cinnamon sugar won't stick properly.
  • Pat the cooked pasta really dry before oiling it, moisture is the enemy of crispiness and will ruin the texture.
03 -
  • Double the cinnamon sugar batch and keep the extra in a jar for your next round, it makes the process even faster.
  • If you want extra buttery flavor, brush the pasta with melted butter again right before serving for a glossy, indulgent finish.
  • Try different pasta shapes like penne or rotini, each one crisps up a little differently and keeps things interesting.
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