Air-Fried Ravioli: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryer ravioli is a quick and easy snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. It is a healthier alternative to deep-fried ravioli, as it requires less oil. The ravioli is breaded and cooked in the air fryer until crispy and golden brown. It can be served with a variety of dips, such as marinara sauce, pesto, or ranch dressing. This dish can be made with different fillings, including cheese, spinach, artichoke, lobster, sausage, chicken, veggie, or mushroom. It is also possible to make air fryer ravioli without breading, resulting in a lighter and crispier version.

Pre-cooking and drying the ravioli

To make fried ravioli in an air fryer, you'll first need to pre-cook and dry the ravioli. This is the most inconvenient part of the process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Boil your chosen ravioli according to the package instructions. You can use fresh or frozen ravioli, but if you're using frozen, make sure to thaw it first.
• Once boiled, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the ravioli and lay them out on paper towels. This will help to absorb any excess water. Work quickly, as you only need to dry them for a minute or two.
• If you want to add a breading, now is the time to do it. In a separate bowl, beat an egg and dip each raviolo into it. Then, dip the ravioli into a plate of breadcrumbs, ensuring they are completely coated.
• If you don't want to add a breading, you can simply coat the pre-cooked ravioli with olive oil and your chosen seasonings.

Now that your ravioli are pre-cooked and dried, you're ready to move on to the air-frying process!

Breading the ravioli

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

You'll need three separate containers for this process. In the first container, whisk an egg or two, depending on the quantity of ravioli. You can also add a splash of water or milk to the egg to make it easier to coat the ravioli. In the second container, combine your breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and your choice of seasonings. Feel free to use Italian-style breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning. The third container can be a plate or a cutting board where you will place the breaded ravioli.

Step 2: Coat the Ravioli

Take each ravioli and dip it first into the egg mixture. Ensure the ravioli is evenly coated, and allow any excess to drip off. Then, move the ravioli to the breadcrumb mixture and coat it thoroughly. Make sure the ravioli is well covered in breadcrumbs on both sides. You can use a fork or your hands for this step, but it can get a little messy! Place the breaded ravioli on the plate or cutting board.

Step 3: Repeat

Repeat the coating process for each ravioli until you have enough to fill the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, so work in batches if necessary.

Step 4: Spray with Oil

Once your ravioli are breaded, give them a light spray with oil. You can use olive oil or another vegetable oil of your choice. Avoid using commercial cooking sprays as the preservatives can damage the air fryer basket. Instead, opt for a spray bottle filled with oil or brush the ravioli lightly with oil.

Step 5: Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 350-400°F (175-200°C). Once preheated, place the ravioli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 6-9 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. For larger ravioli, you may need to increase the cooking time, but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking. Flip the ravioli halfway through the cooking process and give them another light spray of oil for an even crisp.

Tips:

• You can use fresh or frozen ravioli, but it's best to thaw frozen ravioli before breading and air frying.
• Get creative with your fillings! Try spinach-artichoke, lobster, sausage, chicken, veggie, or mushroom ravioli for unique flavors.
• Experiment with different dips and sauces, such as marinara, pesto, alfredo, or ranch.

Air fryer temperature

The optimal temperature for cooking fried ravioli in an air fryer is between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes before adding the ravioli, while others recommend preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The cooking time for fried ravioli in an air fryer is generally around 6-9 minutes, depending on the size of the ravioli. It is important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted, especially when using larger ravioli. Overcooking the ravioli can cause the cheese filling to leak out, so it is crucial to find the right balance where the ravioli are golden brown and the cheese is still inside.

When cooking frozen ravioli, it is recommended to cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. If using thawed or refrigerated ravioli, the cooking time can be reduced to 5 minutes.

Additionally, it is suggested to spritz or brush the ravioli with oil halfway through the cooking process to achieve a crispier texture.

Cooking time

The cooking time for fried ravioli in an air fryer depends on the type of ravioli used and whether or not it is breaded.

For breaded ravioli, the cooking time is generally between 6 and 10 minutes at 350-400°F. It is important to ensure that the ravioli is cooked in a single layer and not stacked, as this will affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the ravioli. If using larger ravioli, the cooking time may need to be increased. For example, one source recommends cooking larger, 2-inch ravioli for 7 minutes at 400°F. On the other hand, if the ravioli is refrigerated and not frozen, the cooking time may be shorter.

For unbreaded ravioli, the cooking time is slightly longer, around 14 minutes at 360°F. Again, it is important to ensure that the ravioli is cooked in a single layer to allow for even cooking and browning.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific air fryer model and the size of the batch, so it is recommended to keep an eye on the ravioli during the cooking process to ensure they do not overcook or burn.

Dipping sauces

There are many different sauces that you can use for dipping your air-fried ravioli.

A good marinara dipping sauce is the most common dipping sauce for toasted ravioli. You can also add some cream cheese to make it a cheesy marinara sauce, or add cream to make it a creamier sauce.

Basil pesto is another great choice, and again, you can add cream to make it a creamier sauce.

You could also try a creamy alfredo sauce, ranch dressing, or even some melted garlic butter.

If you want to stick to a more traditional route, you can serve your ravioli with extra parmesan cheese.

Frequently asked questions