This air fryer toasted ravioli is one of our favorite easy appetizers, a crispy, breaded bite with a warm, cheesy center that comes together in about thirty minutes. For us that fun, shareable snack is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering, a crispy, breaded bite with a warm, cheesy center that comes together in about half an hour.
Frozen ravioli are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then air fried until deeply golden and crunchy. This air fryer toasted ravioli gives you all the crispy comfort of the St Louis classic with a fraction of the oil, ready to dip in warm marinara. Coating frozen ravioli in seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan and air frying until deeply golden gives you all the crispy comfort of the St Louis classic with a fraction of the oil, ready to dip in marinara.
Breaded in seasoned crumbs and Parmesan, this air fryer toasted ravioli crisps to a deep golden brown in the basket, with a warm, cheesy center ready for marinara.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
- Crispy without deep frying. The air fryer gives a deep golden crunch using just a light spray of oil.
- Fun party appetizer. Crispy, dippable, and easy to share, they are a hit at any gathering.
- Uses frozen ravioli. A bag of frozen ravioli makes this quick and convenient.
- Warm, cheesy center. Each crunchy bite gives way to a soft, savory filling.
- Ready in about thirty minutes. From breading to dipping, the whole batch comes together fast.
What Makes This Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli So Good
Great air fryer toasted ravioli starts with a simple breading station. Dipping each frozen ravioli in beaten egg and then in seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan builds the crunchy coating that crisps so well in the hot air. Dipping each frozen ravioli in beaten egg and then in seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan builds the crunchy coating that crisps so well in the hot air.
Cooking from frozen actually helps, since the ravioli holds its shape while the breading turns golden. A light spray of oil over the coating is what gives it that deep, even, fried like color without a pot of oil. Cooking from frozen helps the ravioli hold its shape while the breading turns golden, and a light spray of oil over the coating gives it that deep, even, fried like color.
The key to this air fryer toasted ravioli is a single layer and a flip partway through, so every side gets direct heat and crisps evenly. Served hot with warm marinara, the contrast of crunchy shell and soft center is irresistible. A single layer and a flip partway through let every side get direct heat and crisp evenly, and served hot with warm marinara, the contrast of crunchy shell and soft center is irresistible.
Optional Pro Tip: Spray the Coating Evenly
A light, even spray of oil over the breaded ravioli is what turns the coating deeply golden and crisp. Skipping it can leave dry, pale spots. For the best air fryer toasted ravioli, spray both sides and arrange them in a single layer so the hot air reaches every piece. A light, even spray of oil over both sides is what turns the coating deeply golden, and arranging the ravioli in a single layer lets the hot air reach every piece.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
Bread the ravioli straight from frozen so they hold their shape, and press the crumbs on firmly so the coating on this air fryer toasted ravioli stays put. Breading the ravioli straight from frozen helps them hold their shape, and pressing the crumbs on firmly keeps the coating in place as they cook.
Cook in a single layer and flip halfway through. Work in batches if needed so the pieces are not crowded and crisp evenly. Cooking in a single layer and flipping halfway through crisps them evenly, and working in batches keeps the pieces from crowding.
Variations and Add Ins
- Cheese filled. Use cheese ravioli for a classic, gooey center.
- Beef filled. Choose a beef or meat ravioli for a heartier bite.
- Spicy. Add red chili flakes to the breadcrumbs or serve with a spicy marinara.
- Extra cheesy. Add more Parmesan to the breading and a sprinkle on top after cooking.
- Herb crust. Mix Italian herbs into the breadcrumbs for more flavor.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover air fryer toasted ravioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They are best fresh, since the coating softens as it sits. Stored airtight, they keep for a few days, though they are best fresh since the coating softens as it sits, so a quick recrisp helps.
Reheat in the air fryer at 375 F for three to four minutes to crisp them back up. You can also bread and freeze them, then air fry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. A few minutes in the air fryer crisps them back up, and you can also bread and freeze them, then air fry straight from frozen.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
Serve these hot with warm marinara for dipping, plus a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and parsley. They make a great appetizer, party snack, or fun side for pasta night. Served hot with warm marinara for dipping, plus a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and parsley, they make a great appetizer, party snack, or fun side for pasta night.
Toasted ravioli is a St Louis specialty of breaded, crisp ravioli served with marinara, as described in this overview of toasted ravioli. This air fryer toasted ravioli is a lighter, air fried take on that beloved appetizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to thaw the ravioli?
No. Bread and cook the ravioli straight from frozen, which helps them hold their shape while the coating crisps. There is no need to thaw, since breading and cooking the ravioli straight from frozen helps them hold their shape while the coating crisps.
What temperature is best for air fryer toasted ravioli?
Around 375 F works well. It crisps the breading to golden while warming the filling through. A moderate, steady heat crisps the breading to golden while warming the filling through, giving you that satisfying crunch.
How long do they take?
Most batches take about eight to twelve minutes at 375 F, flipping halfway, until deeply golden and crisp. Most batches cook in about ten minutes with a flip halfway, so watch for a deeply golden, crisp coating before pulling them.
Why is my coating dry or pale?
It likely needs more oil. Spray the breaded ravioli evenly on both sides so the coating turns golden and crisp. Dry or pale spots usually mean the coating needs more oil, so spraying the breaded ravioli evenly on both sides turns it golden and crisp.
Can I bake them instead?
Yes. Bake the breaded ravioli at 400 F on a lined sheet, flipping once, until golden and crisp. They bake nicely too, so a lined sheet and a flip partway through give you golden, crisp ravioli in the oven.
What ravioli should I use?
Cheese ravioli is classic, but beef or other fillings work well too. Choose your favorite. Cheese ravioli is classic, but beef or other fillings work well too, so choose whichever you enjoy most.
Can I freeze breaded ravioli?
Yes. Bread them, freeze, and air fry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. They freeze well breaded, so make a big batch, freeze them, and air fry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
How do I keep the breading on?
Coat in egg first, then press the crumbs on firmly. Cooking from frozen also helps the coating hold. Coating in egg first and then pressing the crumbs on firmly helps the breading stick, and cooking from frozen helps it hold too.
What dipping sauce is best?
Warm marinara is the classic choice. A spicy marinara or a garlic aioli also work well. Warm marinara is the classic dip, while a spicy marinara or a garlic aioli also pair beautifully with the crispy ravioli.
Can I make them ahead?
They are best fresh, but you can bread them ahead and refrigerate or freeze, then air fry before serving. They are best fresh, but breading them ahead and refrigerating or freezing lets you air fry a batch right before serving.
A Crispy Appetizer Worth Sharing
This air fryer toasted ravioli brings the crispy, cheesy comfort of a St Louis favorite to your kitchen without deep frying. A crunchy, golden coating around a warm center is hard to resist.
Serve a batch with warm marinara for a party, a game day snack, or a fun side for pasta night. They come together fast and disappear even faster.
If you love crispy, shareable bites like this, you will also enjoy our high protein creamy beef pasta, another easy favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 375 F. If you are opting for the oven, preheat to 400 F.
- Set up a breading station with one bowl for beaten eggs and another bowl for the breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese.
- Take each frozen ravioli and dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it is well coated, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well.
- If you are using the air fryer, lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, arrange the breaded ravioli in a single layer, and spray them lightly on top. Cook them in the air fryer for about 10 to 12 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- If you are baking, arrange the ravioli on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, drizzle lightly with olive oil, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even crispiness.
- Once done, serve these warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
Notes
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