Air Fryer Raw Pasta: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, often used as a healthier alternative to deep frying. While they can't cook everything, they can be used to cook raw pasta. However, it's important to note that air fryers are not designed for boiling or steaming foods, so the pasta will need to be cooked in a different way. One way to do this is to use a no-boil method, where the pasta is cooked in an air fryer-safe dish with a water and sauce mixture, resulting in a tasty, cheesy dish.

Air fryer pasta recipes

Yes, you can cook raw pasta in an air fryer. Here are some recipes to try:

No-Boil Baked Pasta

This recipe is super easy and fast to put together. There is no need to boil the pasta separately, and it all comes together in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Oil
• Chilli flakes
• Oregano seasoning
• Garlic
• Capsicum
• Mushroom
• Raw pasta
• Red pasta sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Water
• Aluminium foil

Steps:

• Add all the ingredients except the water and aluminium foil to a 7-inch round pan and mix.
• Before baking, make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the water sauce mixture.
• Line the base of the pan with aluminium foil.
• Air fry at 180C or 360F for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and is golden brown and bubbling.

Pasta Chips

This recipe is adapted from Tiktok's viral pasta chips.

Ingredients:

• Pasta (any type of short pasta)
• Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Steps:

• Boil the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain.
• Toss the pasta with olive oil, seasoning, and Parmesan cheese until evenly coated.
• Air fry at 390F (200C) for 10-12 minutes, tossing every few minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• Precooked macaroni
• Marinara sauce
• Olive/avocado oil
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni on the stove as normal.
• Put the noodles in a mixing bowl and add oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.
• Cook in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 375°.

Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

• Cooked pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Cheese
• Cooked veggies (optional)
• Seasoning (optional)

Steps:

• Mix the cooked pasta with the pasta sauce, cooked veggies, and seasoning.
• Transfer the pasta to a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer.
• Top with grated cheese.
• Place the baking dish in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 180C or 360F for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and is golden brown and bubbling.

No-boil pasta

Yes, you can cook raw pasta in an air fryer. In fact, there are many recipes for no-boil pasta in an air fryer.

One recipe for no-boil pasta in an air fryer involves baking the pasta in the air fryer. To do this, you will need to add butter, oil, chilli flakes, oregano seasoning, garlic, capsicum, mushroom, raw pasta, red pasta sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar to a 7-inch round pan and mix. Then, add water and mix again, ensuring that the pasta is fully submerged under the water. Wrap the pan with aluminium foil, covering the base as well so that it is secure. Bake at 180C for 45 minutes. Uncover the foil and mix well. If the pasta feels dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and mix again. You can adjust it according to your preference. Finally, sprinkle cheese and chopped basil on top and bake at 200C for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Another recipe for no-boil pasta in an air fryer is for white cheddar and broccoli pasta. To make this, preheat your air fryer to 390°F for 3-5 minutes. In a medium air-fryer-safe dish, combine water, milk, and butter. Stir in the contents of the Knorr Sidekick package. Place the uncovered dish in the air fryer basket and let the pasta cook for 18-20 minutes at 390°F. You can start to check at the 18-minute mark to see if the pasta is tender. Take the dish out of the air fryer and let it stand for 3-5 minutes to thicken before stirring and serving.

You can also make macaroni and cheese in an air fryer without boiling the pasta first. To do this, put about one-third of precooked macaroni in a mixing bowl and add olive or avocado oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Then, cook in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 375°.

It is important to note that the type of pasta you use may affect the baking time. For example, if you are using raw fusili pasta, the baking time may be different from that of another shape of pasta. Additionally, make sure to use a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer.

While you can cook raw pasta in an air fryer, it is worth noting that air fryers are not ideal for cooking pasta dishes with lots of sauce. If you are looking for the perfect al dente pasta, it is best to cook it in a saucepan of boiling water, adding a drizzle of oil to prevent the strands from sticking together.

Mac and cheese

Yes, you can cook raw pasta in an air fryer! And what's more, you can make a delicious mac and cheese with it.

There are a few things to keep in mind when making mac and cheese in an air fryer. Firstly, it's important to use an oven-proof dish that fits into your air fryer basket. You don't want to use liquids in your air fryer, as this can damage it. You can, however, mix liquids such as milk and water with the pasta in an oven-proof dish and cook it that way.

You can use any type of pasta you like, but smaller shapes such as macaroni, penne, rigatoni, or shells are recommended as they hold more sauce. You also don't need to pre-boil the pasta, which makes this recipe even easier! Simply combine the pasta with your desired liquids and seasonings, and mix well.

For the cheese sauce, a combination of mature cheddar and parmesan is a good option, but other cheeses such as mozzarella, Gruyere, or red Leicester will also work. You can also add in cream or cream cheese for a smoother and creamier sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and perhaps some mustard and paprika, and possibly some Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder. You can also add in vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, or aubergine for extra nutrition and flavour.

Once your pasta and sauce are mixed, and your cheese grated, simply place the dish in the air fryer and cook for around 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be al dente and the cheese melted and bubbling when done.

This is a quick, easy, and delicious recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights and the whole family will love it!

Pasta shapes

Yes, you can cook raw pasta in an air fryer. However, the type of dish you can cook in an air fryer is limited to pasta bakes or dishes that require the pasta to be baked.

When cooking raw pasta in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the pasta is fully submerged in a water and sauce mixture. The sauce can be homemade or store-bought, and the water is necessary to ensure the pasta cooks through. The baking time may vary depending on the shape of the pasta.

Some pasta shapes that work well in an air fryer include:

• Fusilli: A short, spiral-shaped pasta that can conveniently fit into a baking dish. It is a good option for no-boil baked pasta recipes as the grooves can hold onto the sauce.
• Penne: A short, tubular pasta with angled ends. It is similar in shape to fusilli and works well in baked dishes as the tubes can trap the sauce and other ingredients.
• Macaroni: A short, tubular pasta with straight ends. It is commonly used in baked dishes such as macaroni and cheese, which can be easily prepared in an air fryer.
• Rotini: A spiral-shaped pasta similar to fusilli but with tighter, narrower grooves. It is a versatile shape that can be used in various dishes, including pasta bakes and pasta salads.
• Farfalle: A unique, bow-tie-shaped pasta. It has a flat, ribbon-like structure that can hold sauce well. Farfalle can add a bit of whimsy to your dish and is a good option for cold pasta salads or baked pasta casseroles.

Remember, the key to successfully cooking raw pasta in an air fryer is ensuring it has enough liquid to cook through and adjusting the baking time as needed based on the shape of the pasta.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking raw pasta in an air fryer depend on the type of pasta dish you are preparing. For instance, the temperature and timing for cooking pasta chips will differ from those for a pasta bake.

Air Frying Pasta Chips

To make pasta chips, you can use any short pasta shape, such as bowtie, penne, fusilli, or elbow. First, boil the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the boiled pasta and toss it with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. You can use dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For an adult twist, add some red chili flakes.

Next, air fry the pasta at 390°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, tossing the pasta every few minutes by shaking the air fryer basket until it turns golden brown and crispy.

Air Frying Pasta Bake

For a pasta bake, you can use any pasta shape that fits conveniently into a baking dish. However, remember that the baking time may change based on the shape of the pasta. Use a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer. A 7-inch round pan works well.

First, mix the raw pasta with butter, oil, chilli flakes, oregano seasoning, garlic, capsicum, mushroom, red pasta sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, and water. Ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the water-sauce mixture. Then, sprinkle cheese and chopped basil on top and air fry at 200°C for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts.

The cooking time for a pasta bake can vary between 8 and 20 minutes, depending on the size of your casserole dish and air fryer model. It is recommended to start checking the dish at the 18-minute mark to see if the pasta is tender.

In summary, the temperature and timing for cooking raw pasta in an air fryer depend on the type of pasta dish you are preparing. Experiment with different types of pasta and cooking times to find your perfect crunch.

Frequently asked questions