Save Last Tuesday, I was standing in my kitchen with leftover pasta shells and absolutely zero appetite for eating them cold as a salad. My air fryer was sitting there, practically begging for attention, and I thought: what if I made these crispy instead? Twenty minutes later, I had golden, crunchy bites that tasted like nothing I'd planned for—in the best way possible. Now they're my go-to when I need something that feels special but requires almost no real effort.
I brought a batch to a dinner party thinking they'd be a throwaway side, tucked next to the salad. Instead, they disappeared before I could even sit down, and three people asked me for the recipe while wiping garlic powder residue from their fingers. That's when I realized these aren't just a creative way to use leftovers—they're the kind of thing people remember about your cooking.
Ingredients
- Medium pasta shells (250 g): They hold texture beautifully when crisped and catch seasoning in all their little curves; cook them just to al dente or they'll turn soft instead of crunchy.
- Olive oil (2 tbsp): This is your binding agent for the seasonings and what creates the golden, crispy exterior; don't skip it or use less.
- Garlic powder (1/2 tsp): It browns slightly in the air fryer and develops a deeper, toasted flavor that tastes almost caramelized.
- Smoked paprika (1/2 tsp): This adds a subtle warmth and color without being spicy, and it makes everything look restaurant-worthy.
- Dried Italian herbs (1/2 tsp): Use oregano, basil, or thyme—or a mix; they infuse the pasta with a Mediterranean feeling that pairs perfectly with marinara for dipping.
- Sea salt and black pepper (1/2 tsp and 1/4 tsp): Season conservatively at first because you can always add more, but you can't take it back.
- Parmesan cheese (30 g, optional): Sprinkle it on while the shells are still hot so it melts slightly and clings to all the ridges.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A small handful of chopped parsley adds a fresh, herbal note that cuts through the richness beautifully.
- Marinara sauce (for dipping): Any jarred sauce works, but even a quick tomato sauce feels homemade next to these crispy shells.
Instructions
- Cook your pasta until it's just right:
- Boil the shells in salted water until they're al dente—they should still have a tiny bit of resistance when you bite them. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, then pat them completely dry with paper towels; any lingering moisture will steam them instead of crisping them up.
- Season and toss everything together:
- In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, then toss until every shell is coated. The pasta should look glossy and evenly seasoned, with no dry spots hiding in the bottom of the bowl.
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Set it to 200°C (400°F) and let it preheat for 3 minutes so it's hot and ready when your pasta goes in.
- Arrange in a single layer:
- Spread the seasoned shells across the air fryer basket in one even layer without crowding them, working in batches if needed. They need air circulation on all sides to crisp evenly, not steam.
- Air fry until golden and crunchy:
- Cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through so they brown evenly. You'll know they're done when they're deep golden brown and feel crisp when you tap one with a spoon.
- Finish and serve hot:
- Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh parsley while they're still hot, and serve immediately with marinara sauce alongside for dipping. The warmth helps everything come together beautifully.
Save There's something almost magical about watching pasta transform in the air fryer—it goes from soft and familiar to something completely unexpected and exciting. My kids actually asked for seconds, which is the highest compliment I can get in this house.
Why This Works
The air fryer's circulating heat hits the pasta shells from all angles, creating a crispy exterior while the interior stays tender enough to taste like real pasta. It's the speed and the dry heat that make this work so much better than oven-roasting, which can dry everything out. The seasonings caramelize slightly during cooking, deepening their flavors without tasting burned or overdone.
Flavor Variations to Try
Once you nail this basic version, the fun begins because you can season these shells however you want. Try ranch powder for a completely different direction, or swap the Italian herbs for curry powder if you're in the mood for something warmer and earthier. My favorite experiment so far was adding crushed red pepper flakes and a tiny squeeze of lemon zest right before serving—it completely changed the personality of the dish.
Beyond the Snack Bowl
These crispy shells are brilliant chopped up and scattered over a salad for unexpected texture, or crushed coarsely and used as a breadcrumb topping for baked vegetables. You can also layer them into a grain bowl or use them as a crunchy garnish for soup. The possibilities genuinely feel endless once you realize these little golden bites work just about anywhere you want something with texture and Italian seasoning.
- For maximum crunch, let the air-fried pasta cool on a paper towel for a few minutes so it loses any remaining steam and becomes truly crispy.
- If you're feeding a crowd, you can air fry in batches and then reheat everything together in the oven at 160°C for just 3–4 minutes before serving.
- Try other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni if you want to experiment, though shells really are the MVP because of how they catch and hold the seasonings.
Save This recipe proved that the best kitchen discoveries often come from working with what you have on hand rather than following a plan. I hope your kitchen gets to experience the same happy accident.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Medium pasta shells (conchiglie) are ideal as they hold the seasoning well and crisp evenly in the air fryer.
- → How do I ensure the pasta gets crispy in the air fryer?
Dry the cooked pasta shells thoroughly to remove moisture before tossing them in oil and seasonings, then spread them in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
- → Can I use other seasonings or herbs?
Yes, feel free to experiment with spices like chili flakes for heat or swap Italian herbs for your favorites to customize the flavor.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
Omit the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a vegan alternative such as nutritional yeast to keep it plant-based.
- → How should I serve these crispy pasta bites?
Serve immediately while hot, garnished with parsley and a sprinkle of cheese, alongside marinara sauce for dipping.
- → Can other pasta shapes be used instead of shells?
Yes, rigatoni or penne can be substituted, but cooking and drying thoroughly before frying is essential for crispness.