Air-Fried Spaghetti: A Quick, Easy, And Tasty Treat!

Air fryers have become a trendy kitchen appliance, but they can't cook everything. While they are great for achieving a crispy, fried finish, they are not designed for boiling water or cooking foods with wet batter. However, you can cook spaghetti in an air fryer by baking it. This can be done by cooking the spaghetti halfway on a stovetop, then transferring it to a baking dish, covering it with cheese, and placing it in the air fryer to melt the cheese and finish cooking the pasta. This method can also be used to make a spaghetti pie or pasta bake with a variety of sauces, meats, and vegetables.

Air fryer spaghetti squash

Step 1: Choosing the Right Spaghetti Squash

When selecting a spaghetti squash at the supermarket, look for one that is not too big, ensuring it fits inside your air fryer basket. Choose one that weighs around 2 pounds and is firm with no soft spots. The squash should feel heavy for its size, and the stem should be firm and dry. Avoid any with cracks or blemishes. A yellow squash is preferable as it indicates ripeness.

Step 2: Preparing the Squash

Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. Meanwhile, wash and carefully slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, using a sharp knife. It is recommended to first make a dotted line around the entire squash and then microwave it for 3 to 5 minutes to make cutting easier. Remove the pulp and seeds from one half and discard them. Wrap this half in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for later use.

Step 3: Seasoning and Cooking

Brush the inside of the squash half with olive oil, and sprinkle with your desired seasonings. You can use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and parsley to taste. Place the seasoned squash half, skin side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360°F for 18 to 25 minutes, or until the squash is tender and cooked to your liking.

Step 4: Serving

Once cooked, remove the squash from the air fryer and use two forks to scrape and fluff up the insides, creating spaghetti-like noodles. You can serve it as-is or top it with grated parmesan cheese, butter, or additional chopped parsley. Air fryer spaghetti squash pairs well with various sauces, such as marinara, pesto, alfredo, or a sweet version with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. It can also be used as a low-carb substitute for pasta in your favorite recipes.

Can you boil spaghetti in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, but they can't cook everything. They circulate hot air efficiently to achieve a 'fried finish' similar to deep-frying without the oil. They also heat up very quickly and are more energy-efficient than most ovens. However, they are not designed for boiling water, as they heat or cook from the top down, while water is boiled from the bottom up.

While you can't boil spaghetti in an air fryer, you can cook spaghetti in an air fryer by baking it. This is done by first boiling the spaghetti on a stove until it's halfway cooked. Then, the spaghetti is mixed with sauce and cheese and baked in the air fryer. This method allows the pasta to absorb liquid from the sauce as it bakes, ensuring it cooks thoroughly without needing to be boiled.

To make air fryer baked spaghetti, start by boiling the spaghetti on a stove. While the pasta cooks, preheat your air fryer to 250° F and mix ricotta and cream cheese together. You can also grate or slice mozzarella and parmesan to add later. Once the spaghetti is halfway cooked, drain the water and mix in your preferred pasta sauce. Move the spaghetti to a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, cover it with shredded mozzarella, and place the dish inside the air fryer basket. Air fry the spaghetti for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

You can also add other ingredients to the air fryer baked spaghetti, such as vegetables, meat, or different types of pasta. For a vegetarian option, add raw spinach or zucchini to the mix. If you want to include meat, try ground beef, turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage. Additionally, you can use linguine, angel hair, or bucatini instead of spaghetti.

Air fryer baked spaghetti

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Meat of your choice (ground beef, turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or plant-based meat)
• Salt and pepper
• Tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder (optional)
• Water
• Cheese: Ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, or a mix of your choice
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Optional add-ins:

• Beans, lentils, veggies (spinach, zucchini, basil), or other ingredients of your choice
• Angel hair or bucatini pasta can also be used instead of spaghetti

Instructions:

• Start by boiling the spaghetti as per the package instructions.
• While the spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently.
• Add your choice of meat to the skillet with salt and pepper. Brown the meat, breaking up any lumps with a spatula.
• Season the beef and onions with tomato sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
• Preheat your air fryer.
• In a separate bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce until well combined.
• In another bowl, mix ricotta and cream cheese together. You can also add grated parmesan to this mixture for extra flavour.
• Grate or slice your mozzarella.
• Layer the baking dish with the spaghetti mixture, followed by the cheese mixture. You can also add extra veggies or beans at this point.
• Top the dish with mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese.
• Place the baking dish in the preheated air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Remove the baked spaghetti from the air fryer and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Tips:

• If using leftover spaghetti, pre-cook it for about 10 minutes before adding the cheese.
• Use a size of the baking dish that fits inside your air fryer, such as an 8-inch cake pan or a 7-inch round pan.
• If your baking dish is a tight fit, use silicone pot holders to lift it out easily.
• Line the base of the baking dish with aluminium foil to prevent the pasta from sticking or burning.
• Ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the water and sauce mixture before baking.
• If the pasta feels dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and mix before baking again with the cheese topping.

Enjoy the cheesy, crispy goodness of Air Fryer Baked Spaghetti!

Air fryer baked pasta

Yes, you can cook spaghetti in an air fryer! You can make a delicious, comforting and cheesy spaghetti bake with soft ricotta and crispy bits. This recipe is flexible and can be made with freshly cooked or leftover spaghetti. If using leftover spaghetti, pre-cook it for 10 minutes before adding the cheese.

To make this recipe, you will need an air fryer that can fit a cake pan, preferably an 8-inch (20 cm) one. You can use any type of pasta you like, but spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, elbow pasta, shells, angel hair, bucatini, or gluten-free lentil pasta are all great options.

For the sauce, you can use a plain tomato sauce, a bolognese-style sauce, or get creative with sundried tomato and olive, bechamel, or cheese sauce. You can also add extra ingredients like beans, lentils, veggies, spinach, basil, or meat. The key to a successful air fryer pasta bake is to ensure that the pasta is fully submerged in the water and sauce mixture before baking.

• Boil the spaghetti.
• Mix ricotta and cream cheese together.
• Grate or slice mozzarella and parmesan, if using.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
• Mix the pasta sauce and spaghetti, then layer the bake in the cake pan.
• Place the cake pan in the air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

You can also make a no-boil version of this recipe by adding water to the sauce and baking the pasta until it's fully cooked. This is a convenient option if you're short on time.

Air fryer pasta bakes are versatile and can be adapted to your tastes. They are perfect for a quick, hearty, and filling family meal and can be frozen and reheated directly from frozen in the air fryer or oven.

Ingredients and equipment

While you can't boil pasta in an air fryer, you can cook boiled pasta in one. You can also make a pasta bake in an air fryer. Here are the ingredients and equipment you'll need to cook spaghetti in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti: You can use leftover spaghetti or cook it fresh.
• Pasta sauce: You can use a plain tomato sauce or a bolognese-style sauce.
• Cheese: You can use ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, or a combination of these.
• Vegetables: You can add spinach, zucchini, basil, or other vegetables of your choice.
• Meat: This is optional, but you can add ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground Italian sausage, or plant-based meat.

Equipment:

• Air fryer: Ensure your air fryer has enough space to fit a baking dish.
• Baking dish: Choose a size that fits inside your air fryer, such as a 7-inch or 8-inch round pan, or a 13 by 9-inch baking dish.
• Cooling rack: You will need a cooling rack to place the baking dish on after it's done cooking.
• Silicone pot holders: These are useful for lifting the hot baking dish out of the air fryer.
• Other standard kitchen tools: You will also need common kitchen utensils such as a saucepan, spatula, and measuring tools.

Frequently asked questions