Addictive Crispy Pasta Snack

As seen on: Easy Appetizer and Snack Recipes

Switch up your pasta by air frying it into super crunchy bites. The TikTok favorite has you seasoning cooked noodles with cheese and Italian spices, then air frying till fabulous and crispy.

emilyscooks.com
Shared By Emily
Last revised on Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:07:51 GMT
A bowl packed with golden, spiral pasta chips covered in herbs and melty cheese shreds. Save this
A bowl packed with golden, spiral pasta chips covered in herbs and melty cheese shreds. | emilyscooks.com

These pasta chips are crazy crunchy and seriously fun for dipping in hot marinara or whatever dip you've got on hand. Just toss, cook, and munch—ready in under half an hour. They're awesome for snacks or passing around at a get-together.

Irresistible Reasons To Try This

Turn simple pasta into crazy good crunchy snacks you won’t stop eating. You just need a handful of ingredients and a short cooking time. Pasta chips are a fresh spin on your usual munchies. They’re perfect for a laid-back hangout, game night, or whenever you feel like snacking.

Key Ingredients You Need

  • Coating: - Extra virgin olive oil: ¼ cup (60ml) - Look for a smoke point above 375°F (191°C)
  • Seasoning Mix: - Dried Italian herbs: 1 tablespoon (3g) - Fine sea salt: 1 teaspoon (6g) - Red pepper flakes: ½ teaspoon (1g) - Grated Parmesan: ½ cup (50g) at 70°F (21°C)
  • Noodle Base: - Farfalle pasta: 16 oz (454g) - Boil until just al dente, about 9-11 min - You want them holding their shape and still a little firm
  • Extra Garnishes: - Chopped fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons (8g) - Extra Parmesan: ¼ cup (25g)

Step By Step Guide

Finishing Steps
Right when they're done, you can sprinkle a bit more salt if you like. Let everything rest for a couple minutes before digging in. Toss on fresh parsley and even more cheese for bonus flavor.
Deep Fryer Option
Bring your oil up to 375°F (191°C). Drop in a small batch, fry 4-5 minutes till they're golden. Keep an eye on the temp—don’t dip below 365°F (185°C) or over 375°F (191°C).
Baking in the Oven
Set oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking pan with parchment. Bake chips 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, till they're evenly browned.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Fire up your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Lay chips out flat. Cook for 7-9 minutes, shake the basket halfway at about 4 minutes, pull ‘em out when they've got a deep golden color.
Seasoning Step
Quickly toss pasta in olive oil and make sure it’s all covered. Stir in your herb blend and Parmesan. Coat well so every piece is loaded with flavor.
Cooking the Pasta
Start by boiling pasta in 4 quarts of well-salted water. Get it to just al dente—should be done in 9-11 minutes. Drain it well, shake off the water, and make sure it’s dry before adding seasoning.

Keeping Them Fresh

Pop leftovers in a container with a tight lid at regular room temp (about 68-72°F/20-22°C) for three days or so. If it’s humid, these chips might go soft fast. Want that crunch back? Zap them in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for a minute or two.

Fun Ways To Serve

Pair these with dips at slightly cool room temp (think 70-75°F or 21-24°C):

  • Warm marinara
  • Classic ranch
  • Garlicky aioli
  • Fresh pesto

Lay chips out in a thin layer—don’t pile them high so the crunch sticks around.

Zoomed-in shot of a bowl packed with cheesy, herbed pasta chips. There's a blue checkered napkin and ripe tomatoes hiding in the back. Save this
Zoomed-in shot of a bowl packed with cheesy, herbed pasta chips. There's a blue checkered napkin and ripe tomatoes hiding in the back. | emilyscooks.com

Tasty Twists You Can Try

Mix up your flavor combo, but keep the measurements the same:

  • Taco spices: 1 tablespoon (9g)
  • Ranch powder: 1 tablespoon (9g)
  • Garlic Parm: 2 teaspoons (6g) garlic powder plus ¾ cup (75g) Parmesan

Feel free to make them as spicy (or mild) as you want—just use the same total amount for seasoning.

Common Questions

→ Which pasta shapes give the best crunch?

Stick with small or medium pastas like rigatoni, penne, ziti, or bow ties. Pick pieces that are all roughly the same size so they crisp up together.

→ How come my pasta chips turn out chewy?

Make sure your pasta isn't too soft before you air fry, and spread everything out in just one layer. Try a longer air fry if you want them extra snappy.

→ Is it possible to bake these in the oven?

Totally! Pop them on a lined pan at 400°F. They might just need a bit more time to get that crunchy finish.

→ Will they stay crunchy if I save them?

They're at their best when fresh, but if you stash them in a sealed container, they'll keep for two or three days. The crunch might fade a little though.

→ Got any fun dips to serve with them?

Marinara is always good, but ranch, pesto, alfredo—honestly, any dip you love works awesome.

Pasta Chips

Air-fried noodles tossed with cheese and Italian flavors, great to dunk in marinara or whatever dip you like best.

Preparation Time
5 Minutes
Cooking Time
22 Minutes
Overall Time
27 Minutes
Shared By: Emily

Meal Type: Appetizers & Snacks

Skill Level: Simple

Cuisine Style: American

Makes: 4 Portions (1 batch)

Special Diet: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll Need

01 items Parsley for topping if you want.
02 items ½ tsp red pepper flakes (throw these in if you like a kick).
03 items 1 tsp salt.
04 items 1½ tsp Italian seasoning.
05 items ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded super fine.
06 items 1½ tbsp olive oil.
07 items 1 lb farfalle pasta.

Steps To Make It

Step 01

Grab some marinara or your favorite dip and dig in.

Step 02

Scatter extra parmesan and a few bits of parsley on top if you like.

Step 03

Let it crisp up for another 4-6 minutes until it gets crunchy.

Step 04

Pause after 6 minutes and give your basket a good shake.

Step 05

Toss everything in at 400°F, do it in a few batches if you need.

Step 06

Stir pasta with the oil, parmesan, and all your seasonings.

Step 07

Once cooked, dump out the hot water and scoop pasta into a big bowl.

Step 08

Boil the pasta until it's got some bite left, just like the box says.

Extra Notes

  1. Mix up your shapes—penne, rigatoni, whatever you like.
  2. Feel free to mess with the spice blends.
  3. All over TikTok lately.

Essential Tools

  • Air fryer.
  • Colander.
  • Large bowl.
  • Measuring spoons.

Allergen Info

Review ingredients carefully for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Wheat comes from the pasta.
  • Milk is in the parmesan.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Keep in mind, this data is an estimate and not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
  • Calories: 519
  • Fat Content: 10 grams
  • Total Carbs: 86 grams
  • Protein Content: 19 grams