Air-Frying Ravioli: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason—they're versatile, convenient, and can make healthy versions of traditionally fried foods. One such example is ravioli, which can be cooked in an air fryer to create a crispy, golden, and indulgent snack or appetizer. This method of cooking ravioli is a relatively new concept, but one that has gained traction among foodies and home cooks alike. By preparing ravioli in an air fryer, you can achieve a crispy exterior while retaining a soft and creamy filling—a textural contrast that makes for a delightful culinary experience.

Can I cook ravioli in an air fryer?

Air fryer ravioli without breading

Air fryer ravioli is a quick and easy dish to make, and it can be made even easier by skipping the breading. The result is still just as good, with a crispy pasta shell and a creamy filling. You can use your favourite ravioli and fillings, making this recipe a must-have for air fryer lovers.

Ingredients

• Ravioli (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen)
• Olive oil or another high-heat oil (avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)
• Italian seasoning or other seasonings of your choice (oregano, parsley, Italian herb blend, etc.)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cheese of your choice (Parmesan, pecorino, Italian hard cheese, etc.)

Instructions

Before you start cooking anything, make sure to have all your ingredients on hand and your cheese grated. If using frozen ravioli, they will need to be thawed first. You will also need to pre-cook the ravioli and dry it. To do this, boil the ravioli according to the package instructions, then use a slotted spoon to scoop out the ravioli and lay them out on paper towels to absorb the excess water.

Next, mix the olive oil, Italian seasoning, and salt in a large bowl. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as pepper and oregano. Add the ravioli to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the seasoned oil. You can also add cheese to the bowl and toss to coat, or you can add the cheese after air frying.

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different air fryers may require different temperatures and cooking times, but a common temperature setting is 360°F/180°C. Place the ravioli into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap too much. You may need to cook the ravioli in batches. Spritz the ravioli with oil and cook for about 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket after a couple of minutes to prevent sticking. The ravioli is ready when it is crispy and golden brown.

Serve immediately with your dip of choice and a little extra fresh cheese if desired. Air fryer ravioli can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days and reheated in the air fryer or microwave.

Pre-cooking the ravioli

To cook ravioli in an air fryer, you will first need to pre-cook the ravioli and dry it. This can be done by boiling the ravioli according to the package instructions. If you want to add extra flavour, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of salt to the water. Once boiled, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the ravioli and lay them out over paper towels to get rid of the excess water. This step is important as if there is too much water, the ravioli will not crisp up as well in the air fryer.

Once the ravioli is dry, you can add it to a bowl with olive oil and mix to coat the ravioli. You can then add seasonings such as salt, pepper, and dried oregano or Italian herb seasoning. Fresh herbs should not be added before air frying as they will burn.

If you want to add a breading to your ravioli, you can dip the ravioli into a beaten egg mixture and then into a plate of breadcrumbs and cheese. Press the ravioli into the breadcrumb mixture to ensure it is well coated.

Now your ravioli is ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Drying the ravioli

Firstly, after boiling your ravioli according to the package instructions, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the ravioli and transfer it to a large baking tray lined with paper towels. This step helps absorb any excess water from the boiled ravioli. Work quickly, as this shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

Once the excess water is removed, you can begin the drying process. Place the ravioli in a single layer on the lined baking tray, ensuring they don't overlap too much. This allows air to circulate around each ravioli, promoting even drying. Leave the ravioli to air dry for a few minutes. The exact time will depend on your local climate, but it usually doesn't take long. You can also use a fan to speed up the drying process if needed.

While the ravioli is drying, you can prepare the other ingredients and preheat your air fryer to 350°F–360°F (175°C–180°C). You can also grate your cheese and prepare any seasonings or coatings you plan to use.

Once the ravioli is dry to the touch, you can proceed to the next step of coating them with olive oil and seasonings or a breadcrumb mixture, as per your preferred recipe. After coating, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Remember, the drying process is crucial to achieving the desired crispy texture of air-fried ravioli, so don't skip it!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried ravioli depend on the type of ravioli and the specific air fryer being used. However, there are general guidelines that can be followed for optimal results.

Firstly, it is important to pre-cook the ravioli by boiling or frying it according to the package instructions. This ensures that the ravioli is cooked properly before it is air-fried. Once the ravioli is cooked, it should be dried thoroughly to remove any excess water. This can be done by laying the ravioli on paper towels or a greased tray.

The air fryer should be preheated to a temperature between 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit (about 175-200 degrees Celsius). The preheating time will vary depending on the model of the air fryer, so it is important to refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Once the air fryer is preheated, the ravioli can be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that they do not overlap too much. It is recommended to cook the ravioli in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of the air fryer, about 1/3rd to 1/2 of the package of ravioli can be cooked at once.

The cooking time for the ravioli will depend on the desired level of crispiness. For light and crispy ravioli, cook for 3-5 minutes per batch. If a more golden brown and crispy texture is desired, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. It is important to shake or turn the ravioli halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.

For frozen ravioli, the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly. Frozen ravioli can be air-fried directly from the freezer, but it may take a few minutes longer to cook. For example, frozen ravioli can be air-fried at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes or until the desired crispiness is achieved.

Serving suggestions

There are several ways to serve air-fried ravioli. Firstly, you can serve it with a dip of your choice. Popular options include marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, and pesto sauce. You can also sprinkle the ravioli with parmesan cheese or drizzle them with Mike's Hot Honey and a sprinkle of salt.

If you want to serve air-fried ravioli as a meal, you can pair it with sides such as garlic bread, asparagus, carrots, or roasted broccoli.

For those who prefer their ravioli without breading, you can simply coat the ravioli with olive oil and add seasoning, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. This method still gives you a crispy pasta shell, but the filling remains creamy.

Finally, if you have any leftover air-fried ravioli, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the ravioli for 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Frequently asked questions