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–+ servings
Bowl of crispy air fryer pasta chips served with marinara dipping sauce

Air Fryer Pasta Chips

3.75 from 48 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Viral TikTok bow tie pasta chips made in the air fryer — crispy, crunchy, and ready in 20 minutes. The perfect easy snack served with warm marinara sauce.

Ingredients 

  • 8 oz bow tie pasta, farfalle, uncooked (about ½ pound)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika, smoked paprika preferred
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • Cooking spray, for the air fryer basket
  • 1 cup warm marinara sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Boil the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook to al dente per the package instructions, usually 1 minute less than the recommended cook time. The pasta should be tender but firm.
  • Drain and dry thoroughly. Drain the pasta in a colander, shaking off as much water as possible. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. (This step is essential for crispy chips — surface moisture creates steam.)
  • Season the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Add the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss again until every piece is coated.
  • Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
  • Air fry. Spread the pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in two batches if needed — do not overcrowd. Air fry for 9–11 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 minutes, until the chips are deep golden and crunchy.
  • Serve. Transfer the hot pasta chips to a bowl, sprinkle with extra Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer (3.5 quart or larger)
  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Colander,
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Tongs or wooden spoon
  • Cooking Spray
  • Clean kitchen towel or paper towels

Notes

PASTA SWAPS: Rigatoni, penne, rotini, and chickpea pasta all work well. Avoid long noodles unless broken into pieces.
NO AIR FRYER? Bake on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, tossing every 8 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp.
MAKE AHEAD: Boil and season pasta up to 4 hours ahead; air fry just before serving for maximum crunch. Once air fried, they're best within 1–2 hours.
STORAGE: Cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate — moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
RE-CRISP LEFTOVERS: Pop leftover chips back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes. They'll perk right back up.
DO NOT FREEZE: Pasta chips lose their crunch permanently when thawed.
GLUTEN-FREE: Use chickpea or brown rice pasta and check at 7 minutes — they crisp faster than wheat pasta.
SWEET VARIATION: Skip savory seasonings; toss hot chips with 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 teaspoons sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for a dessert snack.
PRO TIP: Add a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan right after the chips come out of the air fryer for an extra burst of cheesy flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg