Make Pasta Chips for a fun and easy homemade snack that you can make in just 25 minutes using your Air Fryer. Pasta Chips became so popular on social media in the past few years after users shared hundreds of different variations of the snack.
Every once in a while a new TikTok food trend pops up on our feeds, and we get excited to try it! Pasta chips became so popular back in 2021 with millions of views on TikTok.
I often share TikTok viral recipes, but only the ones that I think are worth it! So be sure to check out my whipped coffee, green goddess salad, and baked feta pasta that became so popular on my blog, and my favorite baked oats that I still make quite often. It’s like having cake for breakfast!
One of the reasons why pasta chips became so popular is because the recipe uses simple staple ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. It is also versatile, as you can use different types of pasta and seasonings to create your own unique flavor combinations. Additionally, it is a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, as these are air fried instead of deep fried.
Serve pasta chips as an appetizer or a snack, with a bowl of marinara, ranch, or guacamole for dipping.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crunchy and Crispy! – What you will love about these pasta chips is the crunch. Cooked pasta is baked or air fried to create super crispy pasta chips, and they’re perfect.
- Simple Ingredients – All you need to make these is pasta, oil, and a few seasonings. I bet you already have that in your kitchen!
- Versatile Recipe – Use your favorite seasonings. I usually like to do garlic and onion powder with smoked paprika. Try Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, or this amazing french fry seasoning!
- Dippable – Pasta chips are 10/10 dippable! I mean, serve them with your favorite dip and it will become your favorite snack. Try marinara, guacamole, french onion dip, lime crema, garlic sauce, pesto, or ranch. You can even serve them with baba ganoush or my favorite hummus recipe!
Ingredients And Substitutions
Here’s what you need to make this simple snack:
- Pasta: Always use short pasta shapes for pasta chips, also keep in mind that the best shapes are those that have ridges or hollow centers, as they tend to hold onto seasonings and crisp up nicely when air fried or baked. Avoid pasta shapes that are too small such as elbow macaroni as these might not become brittle when cooked. My favorites are bow ties (farfalle), rigatoni, ziti, and fusili.
- Oil: Oil is important to flavor and crisp up the chips. Don’t skip it! Choose between olive oil (not extra virgin) and avocado oil for the best flavor. If you want a neutral tasting oil, go for canola or vegetable oil as these have high smoke points and work well.
- Seasonings: Have fun with the seasonings, and feel free to experiment until you find a flavor combo that you love! I usually do garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano. Another great option is ranch seasoning (homemade or store-bought), and Everything Bagel seasoning is another delicious option that I think you are going to love!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Pasta Chips
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in salted water until it’s al dente. As the pasta is being cooked, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Season: Drain the pasta in a colander, and toss it with the vegetable, avocado, or canola oil, making sure that the pasta is evenly coated. Then add your seasonings, and grated parmesan and stir to combine.
- Air Fry: Spread the pasta out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd the pasta, as this will prevent it from crisping up properly. Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes to ensure that the pasta chips cook evenly.
- If necessary, cook the pasta chips for an additional 1-2 minutes in the air fryer to toast the seasonings and create a crispy texture. Remove the pasta chips from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tip!
Don’t have an Air Fryer? Make pasta chips in the oven instead! Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread out the boiled and seasoned pasta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta chips are crispy and golden brown.
Tips For Making The Best Pasta Chips
- Use high-quality pasta: The quality of the pasta you use can affect the texture and taste of the chips. Choose a good quality pasta that will hold its shape and not turn mushy when boiled, also avoid the type of pasta that has a super smooth surface.
- Use the right amount of oil: Make sure to use enough oil to coat the pasta evenly, as this will help the pasta chips crisp up and become golden brown. But also make sure that you do not use too much oil, as you can end up with greasy chips.
- Season generously: Be sure to season the pasta chips generously with your choice of seasonings and spices, as this will enhance the flavor and make them more delicious.
- Shake the basket every 2 minutes. I learned this the hard way, I stepped away for 5 minutes, and my pasta chips were burnt from one side! Shaking the basket will result in even cooking.
- Make pasta chip nachos! Layer the air-fried pasta chips in the air fryer in parchment lined basket. Top with cheese, and your favorite nacho toppings. Air Fryer until the cheese has melted.
Recipe FAQs
Totally! I tried this with gluten free pasta and it worked great.
Yes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), place on a sheet pan in a single layer, and cook for 10-15 minutes flipping the pasta chips every 3-4 minutes. Cook for a little longer if needed.
It depends on what healthy means to you, but they are definitely healthier than buying a bag of potato chips from the store.
If you use vegan parmesan cheese or omit it, then the pasta chips will be vegan.
More Viral Tiktok Recipes To Try
Pasta chips are a fun snack that can be enjoyed on their own, or even as a crunchy topping for salads and soups! Whether you choose to bake them in the oven or air fry them, the key to achieving crispy and delicious pasta chips is to watch them carefully to ensure they don’t burn.
With these tips and the easy recipe provided above, you’ll be able to make the perfect batch of flavorful pasta chips every time. I hope that you get to try this recipe, and if you do, don’t forget to share your thoughts with me in the comments box below. I love hearing from you!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Pasta Chips
Recipe Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225g) dried pasta penne, rigatoni, fusilli, shells, bow ties, ziti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil can also be used
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in salted water until it’s al dente. As the pasta is being cooked, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Drain the pasta in a colander, and toss it with the vegetable, avocado, or canola oil, making sure that the pasta is evenly coated. Then add your seasonings, and grated parmesan and stir to combine.
Air Fryer method:
- Spread the pasta out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd the pasta, as this will prevent it from crisping up properly.
- Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes to ensure that the pasta chips cook evenly.
Oven method:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread out the boiled and seasoned pasta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta chips are crispy and golden brown.
- If necessary, cook the pasta chips for an additional 1-2 minutes in the air fryer to toast the seasonings and create a crispy texture. Remove the pasta chips from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes:
- Shake the basket every 2 minutes. This is very important to prevent the pasta chips from burning from one side. Shaking the basket will result in even cooking.
- Use your favorite seasonings. I usually like to do garlic and onion powder with smoked paprika. Try Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, or this amazing french fry seasoning!
- Dips – Try marinara, guacamole, french onion dip, lime crema, garlic sauce, pesto, or ranch. You can even serve them with baba ganoush or my favorite hummus recipe!
- Gluten free pasta will work in this recipe.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
This recipe was first shared on the blog in July 2021, then was updated with new images and helpful tips in April 2023. The recipe remained the same.
Rae T says
So easy to make and amazing. I have never heard of these before and my kids LOVED them!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
Thank you, Rae! I’m so glad you and your kids loved these pasta chips!