Name: Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces rigatoni noodles, cooked al dente and drained; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

If you’re craving a snack that’s crunchy, cheesy, and totally addictive, you’re going to love this Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe. These crispy rigatoni bites bring a fun twist to your usual appetizers with a garlicky parmesan kick that’s perfect for sharing—or not!

A white bowl filled with two layers: the outer layer is made of golden-brown baked rigatoni pasta pieces sprinkled with grated cheese and small green herb bits, while the inner layer is a small white bowl of bright red tomato sauce with a smooth texture, placed on the left side inside the larger bowl; the larger bowl sits on a dark brown cloth over a white marbled surface, with a small green parsley bunch near the bottom left and a white bowl with white creamy sauce at the bottom right, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I stumbled upon this recipe when I wanted a crunchy snack that wasn’t chips or fries. The air fryer does all the magic, turning simple cooked rigatoni into golden, crispy pasta chips that are bursting with flavor. Plus, they’re so quick you’ll want to make them again and again.

Easy to Make: Just a few straightforward steps and your air fryer does the heavy lifting.
Crunchy & Flavorful: The garlic oil and parmesan coating delivers irresistible savory notes.
Perfect Party Appetizer: Great for entertaining or casual snacking with family and friends.
Customizable: Easily tweak the seasonings or serve with your favorite dips for variety.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe keeps it simple with pantry staples that combine beautifully to create crispy, flavorful pasta chips. Make sure your rigatoni is cooked al dente and well drained—dry pasta chips crisp up best!

Flat lay of cooked rigatoni pasta noodles, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of minced garlic, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl filled with grated parmesan cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Rigatoni noodles: Their hollow, ridged shape crisps up nicely and holds onto the flavorful coating.
Olive oil: Helps achieve that golden crunch and carries the garlic and seasonings.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the chips with savory, aromatic goodness.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavors without being overpowering.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle spicy kick to balance the richness.
Parmesan cheese: The star topping that creates that irresistible cheesy finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe is how easy it is to customize it to your liking. Whether you're feeling adventurous with flavors or want to keep things classic, these crispy snacks welcome your personal twist.

Variation: I love swapping out the parmesan for nutritional yeast when I’m making a vegan batch—it still gives that nutty, cheesy punch without any dairy.
Spice it up: Try adding smoked paprika or Italian herbs to the garlic oil mix for an extra layer of flavor that’s perfect for fall gatherings.
Seasonal twist: Sprinkle some finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme on top after tossing with the garlic oil—adds an aromatic freshness that’s irresistible.
Dip it right: Serve alongside marinara, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo to tailor the experience to your mood.
Batch cooking tip: To keep each chip perfectly crispy, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed, and serve immediately for the best crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe

A close-up image showing a woman's hand dipping a ridged, crunchy, golden-yellow chip into a small white bowl filled with thick, red marinara sauce. The small bowl sits in the middle of a larger white dish filled with many similar textured chips sprinkled lightly with herbs and cheese. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Your Air Fryer Ready

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This sets the perfect temperature so the rigatoni chips crisp evenly and quickly. A hot air fryer means you’ll get that gorgeous golden-brown color with a wonderful crunch every time.

Step 2: Coat the Pasta with Olive Oil

In a large bowl, add your cooked and well-drained rigatoni noodles. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over them, then toss gently to make sure every noodle is coated. This olive oil layer helps the pasta crisp beautifully while adding rich flavor.

Step 3: Air Fry Until Crispy

Place the coated rigatoni in a single layer inside your air fryer basket or rack. Make sure not to overcrowd so each pasta chip crisps up perfectly. Air fry for 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them as they turn that perfect golden brown and develop a satisfying crunch.

Step 4: Whip Up the Garlic Oil Mixture

While your pasta is in the air fryer, mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. The fragrant garlic oil will infuse your chips with aromatic, savory notes that elevate the snack.

Step 5: Toss and Coat with Garlic Oil

Once the pasta chips are done air frying, transfer them into a large bowl. Pour the garlic oil mixture over the hot chips and toss gently to coat every piece. This step ensures each chip is bursting with delicious garlicky flavor without becoming soggy.

Step 6: Sprinkle Parmesan and Serve Warm

Finally, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta chips and toss lightly to distribute the cheese evenly. Serve these parmesan pasta chips warm for the best texture and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara or a creamy garlic dip.

Top Tip

Mastering the Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe is all about a few simple tricks that make all the difference in texture and flavor. Here are some tips gathered from my own kitchen experiments to help you get perfect crispy chips every time.

Dry Your Pasta Thoroughly: Make sure your rigatoni noodles are well drained and patted dry before air frying. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so this step ensures they turn golden and crunchy instead of soggy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Spread the noodles out in a single layer when air frying. I learned that crowding them causes uneven cooking and less crispy chips. If necessary, air fry in batches.
Garlic Oil Last: Toss the perfectly crisp pasta chips in the garlic-infused olive oil only after air frying. This keeps the chips crispy and lets the garlic flavor shine without burning.
Parmesan Finishing Touch: Adding the parmesan cheese right after tossing with the garlic oil makes sure it sticks nicely and melts slightly from the residual heat, giving the chips their signature savory richness.

How to Serve Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips Recipe

The image shows two close-up views of a clear glass bowl filled with crispy, golden-brown snack sticks that look crunchy and slightly ridged. In the top part, a small clear glass container with yellow oil and herbs is being poured gently over the sticks. In the bottom part, white grated cheese is sprinkled above the snack sticks, resting in the bowl with a light texture. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Elevate your Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like finely chopped parsley or basil for a burst of color and freshness. A light drizzle of balsamic glaze or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add lovely complexity and a hint of heat. If you want to get fancy, a dusting of lemon zest gives a bright, citrusy lift that contrasts beautifully with the rich parmesan.

Side Dishes

Serve these irresistible chips alongside dipping sauces such as classic marinara, creamy garlic aioli, or a tangy pesto for variety. They also pair wonderfully with simple salads like arugula with lemon vinaigrette or roasted vegetables for a balanced appetizer spread. For a casual gathering, consider placing them next to charcuterie boards or antipasti platters to add a crunchy, cheesy element everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them as crisp as possible, avoid refrigerating since moisture can soften the chips quickly.

Freezing

While these pasta chips are best fresh, you can freeze them for longer storage. Place the air-fried pasta chips in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, reheat straight from frozen.

Reheating

To revive your Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips, pop them back in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes until warm and crispy. Alternatively, use a toaster oven or oven preheated to 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it makes the chips soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes! While rigatoni works perfectly due to its size and hollow shape, other tubular pasta like penne or ziti can also be used. Just make sure they are cooked al dente and well drained.

How do I make this dish vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast, which adds a cheesy, savory flavor without dairy. Also, double-check your garlic oil mixture to use only plant-based ingredients.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can try baking the pasta chips in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.

Why did my pasta chips turn out soggy?

Sogginess usually happens if the pasta is too wet or crowded in the air fryer basket. Ensuring the noodles are well drained and drying them with a towel before air frying, plus spacing them out in a single layer, will help you achieve that perfect crunch.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly satisfying about munching on crunchy, garlicky, and cheesy Air Fryer Parmesan Pasta Chips fresh from the fryer. This recipe is easy, quick, and a crowd-pleaser that brings a fun twist to traditional pasta. Whether you serve these as a snack, appetizer, or party treat, they’re sure to leave everyone asking for more. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy pasta!