Crunchy Parmesan Pasta Chips (Printable)

Crispy, golden pasta shells coated with Parmesan and spices for a savory, addictive snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)

→ Coating

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
06 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp sea salt
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ To Serve (optional)

09 - Marinara sauce for dipping

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking, then pat dry with paper towels.
02 - Toss the cooled pasta with olive oil in a large bowl until evenly coated.
03 - Incorporate Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure an even coating.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
06 - Remove the pasta chips and allow to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, serve with marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for unexpected guests or late-night cravings.
  • You probably have most of these pantry staples already, so no special shopping trip required.
  • Unlike store-bought snacks, these taste like real food—just pasta, cheese, and honest seasoning.
02 -
  • Drying the pasta is non-negotiable; I learned this the hard way when a batch came out chewy instead of crunchy because I was impatient with the paper towels.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—it's tempting to fit more in, but those chips need air circulating around them to crisp properly.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan makes a real difference in texture and taste; the pre-shredded stuff just doesn't perform the same way.
03 -
  • Invest in an air fryer if you don't have one—these chips are just one reason, but they're a very good reason.
  • Shake the basket halfway through air frying even if it seems unnecessary; it's the difference between crispy everywhere and slightly soft spots.
  • Buy block Parmesan and grate it yourself using a box grater or Microplane; the flavor is noticeably fresher and the texture works better.
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