Air Fryer Pasta Christmas Crack (Printable)

Crunchy bowtie pasta tossed in cinnamon sugar for a sweet and salty holiday snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ For Frying

02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Cinnamon Sugar Mix

03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Finishing

06 - 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter

# Steps:

01 - Boil bowtie pasta in salted water for 7 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
02 - Toss the drained pasta with vegetable oil until evenly coated.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
04 - Arrange pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket in batches. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a wide bowl.
06 - Transfer crispy pasta to a large bowl and immediately drizzle with melted butter, tossing to coat.
07 - While warm, sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix over pasta and toss thoroughly to coat each piece.
08 - Allow pasta to cool completely to maximize crunchiness before serving.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • It turns ordinary pantry pasta into a sweet, salty, impossibly crunchy treat that vanishes faster than cookies.
  • The air fryer does all the work, leaving your oven free and your kitchen cool.
  • You can customize the spice blend to match your mood or add a sneaky kick of heat.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pasta thoroughly after boiling, it will steam instead of crisp in the air fryer.
  • Tossing the pasta in butter while it's still hot is crucial, the warmth helps the cinnamon sugar stick like magic.
  • Overcrowding the air fryer basket leads to uneven cooking, so work in batches even if it feels slow.
03 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket gently but often to prevent any edges from burning before the rest crisps up.
  • Taste the first batch and adjust the cinnamon or salt in your sugar mix, everyone's sweet tooth is different.
  • For a richer finish, brown the butter before drizzling it over the pasta, the nutty aroma is incredible.
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