Air Fryer Bowtie Pasta Snack (Printable)

Crispy air-fried bowtie pasta tossed in a cinnamon sugar blend for a sweet, salty snack everyone loves.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ For Frying

02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Cinnamon Sugar Mix

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

→ Finishing

06 - 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

# How to Make It:

01 - Boil the bowtie pasta in salted water for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
02 - Toss cooked pasta with vegetable oil to coat evenly.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
04 - Arrange pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt in a wide bowl.
06 - Transfer crispy pasta to a large bowl. Immediately drizzle melted butter over and toss to coat.
07 - While warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over pasta and toss to coat thoroughly.
08 - Allow pasta to cool completely for maximum crunch before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It vanishes faster than cookies at a bake sale, with that perfect sweet-salty crunch that keeps hands reaching back into the bowl.
  • You can make it start to finish in under half an hour, using pantry staples and an air fryer you probably already own.
  • It feels fancy and festive but requires zero baking skills, just tossing and shaking until golden.
02 -
  • Drying the pasta thoroughly after boiling is non-negotiable, because even a little water will make it chewy instead of crispy.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or the pasta will steam and soften, so work in batches even if it feels slow.
  • Toss with butter and sugar while the pasta is still hot, or the coating won't stick and you'll lose that addictive candy-shell crunch.
03 -
  • Use kosher salt instead of table salt because the larger crystals distribute more evenly and give you better control over the sweet-salty balance.
  • Shake the air fryer basket every few minutes to prevent uneven browning, and don't walk away or you'll end up with burnt edges and pale middles.
  • If you're making multiple batches, keep the finished pasta warm in a low oven while you fry the rest, then toss everything together with butter and sugar at the very end for the most even coating.
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