Air Fryer Noodle Chips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers have become increasingly popular, and with them, a whole host of new recipes. One such recipe that has gone viral on TikTok is noodle chips. Noodle chips are made by cooking pasta, coating it in oil and spices, and then air-frying it until crispy. The result is a crunchy, salty snack that can be dipped in marinara or garlic sauce. While the recipe usually calls for farfalle or bowtie pasta, rigatoni, penne, and even lasagna noodles can be used. The air fryer temperature should be set to around 400°F (200°C), and the noodles should be cooked for around 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Choosing the right type of noodle

When making noodle chips in the air fryer, it's important to choose the right type of noodle to ensure the best flavour and texture. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your noodles:

Shape

Choose a short, compact shape that is easy to grab and dip, similar to a chip. Examples include farfalle (bow-tie pasta), rigatoni, shells, fusilli, or even elbow macaroni. These shapes provide a good surface area for crisping up in the air fryer and are easy to eat as a snack. Avoid long, thin pasta varieties such as spaghetti or fettuccine, as they are more difficult to handle and may not hold up well in the air fryer.

Gluten-free and vegan options

If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, there are gluten-free and vegan noodle options available. For gluten-free noodle chips, simply choose a gluten-free variety of your preferred pasta shape. To make vegan noodle chips, ensure that the pasta you select does not contain any eggs. Most pasta is typically made with only flour and water, so finding a vegan option should not be difficult. Additionally, choose vegan-friendly seasonings, such as herbs, spices, and nutritional yeast.

Fresh vs. dried

While fresh pasta is delicious, it may not be the best option for noodle chips. Dried pasta tends to hold its shape better during the air-frying process and results in a crispier texture. If you do choose to use fresh pasta, be mindful that the cooking time may vary, and you may need to experiment to find the perfect cooking time for your noodle chips.

Cooking instructions

Regardless of the type of noodle you choose, it's important to cook the noodles al dente before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that they are not overcooked and helps them maintain their shape during the air-frying process. Follow the package instructions for cooking times, as different types of noodles may vary.

Preparing the noodles

Ingredients

You will need:

• Noodles of your choice (rigatoni, farfalle, fusilli, shells, or even gluten-free pasta)
• Olive oil (or avocado/oil of your choice)
• Oregano or Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option)
• Chilli flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking the noodles

Start by boiling your chosen noodles in a large pot of salted water according to the packet instructions. It is important to cook the noodles al dente, ensuring they are not overcooked as they will continue to cook in the air fryer. Drain the noodles and place them into a bowl.

Seasoning the noodles

Drizzle or toss the noodles with olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Then, add in the oregano or Italian seasoning, garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese, chilli flakes (if desired), and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix the noodles well so that all the seasonings are evenly distributed and the noodles are nicely coated.

Air-frying the noodles

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned noodles into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the noodles in batches. Air fry the noodles for 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. For extra crispness, shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process.

Once the noodles are done, transfer them to a bowl and repeat the process with any remaining noodles.

Serving suggestions

Your crispy noodle chips are now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them plain or with a variety of dips such as marinara sauce, garlic sauce, hummus, or a whipped feta dip. They are the perfect crunchy snack and can be stored in an airtight container for up to a few days.

Adding flavour

There are many ways to add flavour to your noodle chips. The first step is to choose the right oil. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use avocado oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or vegetable oil.

The next step is to choose your seasonings. Parmesan cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use nutritional yeast, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, chilli flakes, rosemary, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, or black pepper. You can also get creative with your seasonings and use things like everything bagel seasoning, Cajun spice, curry powder, or garlic salt.

If you want to add a dip, you can try marinara sauce, garlic sauce, hummus, spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, classic burger sauce, or homemade gravy.

• Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt
• Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper
• Oregano, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and chilli flakes
• Parmesan cheese, thyme, rosemary, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes

Air-frying the noodles

Now that your noodles are seasoned and ready to go, it's time to fire up the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While that's heating up, grab a large bowl and add your cooked noodles. Drizzle them with a tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat evenly.

Next, carefully place the noodles into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket, as you want to give them enough space to crisp up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the noodles in batches.

Air fry those noodles until they're golden brown and crispy. This should take around 8-12 minutes, but keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. If you're using lasagna noodles, they might need a little longer, so aim for 10-15 minutes.

Once they're nice and golden, give the basket a shake to mix the noodles around, and then cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on them during this final stage, as you don't want them to burn.

When the noodles are done, they should be crispy and golden brown. Remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. If any noodles are stuck together, gently break them apart. Let them cool down for a few minutes before serving.

Repeat this process with the remaining noodles until you've cooked them all.

And that's it! You now have a batch of crispy, delicious noodle chips ready to be devoured. Enjoy them as they are or serve them with your favourite dip.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer noodle chips are a versatile snack that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Dips: Noodle chips are the perfect dip scoopers. Try them with a variety of dips such as marinara sauce, garlic sauce, spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, classic burger sauce, or even hummus.
• Soups: Skip the dip and use noodle chips as a crunchy topper for your favourite soup, such as lasagna soup or beer cheese soup.
• Sandwiches: Serve noodle chips on homemade bread or brioche buns for the ultimate chip butty.
• Cheese: Noodle chips are a great vessel for a cheesy dipping sauce. Try them with a whipped feta dip or any other soft cheese that grates well, such as Gouda or fontina.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices and seasonings to add extra flavour to your noodle chips. Some options include Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, chilli flakes, Everything Bagel Seasoning, or even curry powder.
• Herbs: Add dried herbs such as rosemary or thyme to your noodle chips for an extra flavour boost.
• Sides: Noodle chips can also be served as a side dish to accompany a variety of meals, such as lasagne or steak pie.

Frequently asked questions