If you’ve never tried Crispy Toasted Tortellini, get ready to meet your new favorite snack, appetizer, or even main dish. These golden, crunchy bites of cheesy pasta goodness are completely addictive—like the perfect hybrid between ravioli and mozzarella sticks. Trust me, once you take one bite, you won’t stop until the plate is empty!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy & Cheesy: The best combination of textures—crunchy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside.
Easy to Make: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you’ll have these ready in no time.
Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for parties, game nights, or just a fun twist on pasta night.
Dippable & Delicious: Serve with marinara, pesto, or ranch for a flavor-packed bite.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep them in advance and fry or bake when you’re ready.
Ingredients
Cheese-Filled Tortellini: The star of the dish! Fresh or frozen tortellini both work—just cook and cool before using.
Eggs: Helps the breadcrumb coating stick and creates a crispy outer layer.
Breadcrumbs: Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko add the perfect crunch.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds extra cheesy goodness and a hint of salty richness.
Garlic Powder & Italian Seasoning: Enhances the flavor with warm, herby notes.
Salt & Pepper: A little seasoning goes a long way.
Vegetable Oil: For frying—use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
Marinara Sauce: The ultimate dipping sauce to complete the dish.
Instructions
Cook & Cool the Tortellini: If using fresh or frozen tortellini, cook them according to package instructions, then drain and let them cool slightly.
Set Up Your Breading Station: In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Coat the Tortellini: Dip each tortellini into the eggs, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks.
Fry Until Golden: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the tortellini in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Bake or Air-Fry Option: For a lighter version, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. You can also air-fry them at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve hot with a side of marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Serve Crispy Toasted Tortellini
- Classic Marinara Dip: Nothing beats the combo of crispy tortellini and warm marinara.
- Pesto Perfection: A drizzle of basil pesto takes these to the next level.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Sprinkle extra Parmesan and serve with a side of melted mozzarella.
- Spicy Kick: Dip in sriracha mayo or spicy arrabbiata sauce.
- Party Platter: Serve alongside other appetizers like garlic bread, mozzarella sticks, or stuffed mushrooms.
Additional Tips
- Use Panko for Extra Crunch: It gives the best crispy texture!
- Freeze Before Frying: Chilling the breaded tortellini for 15 minutes helps the coating stick better.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches to keep them crispy.
- Make Ahead: Bread the tortellini in advance and store them in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Reheat Like a Pro: Air-fry or bake leftovers to keep them crispy—avoid microwaving!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen tortellini?
A1: Yes! Just cook them according to the package directions, then cool before breading.
Q2: Can I bake instead of frying?
A2: Absolutely! Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or air-fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
Q3: What’s the best dipping sauce?
A3: Marinara, pesto, ranch, garlic butter, or even honey mustard all work great!
Q4: Can I make these ahead of time?
A4: Yes! Bread them in advance and fry or bake when ready to serve.
Q5: How do I keep them crispy?
A5: Serve immediately, and if reheating, use an oven or air fryer instead of a microwave.
Q6: Can I make them gluten-free?
A6: Yes! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free tortellini.
Q7: What type of tortellini works best?
A7: Cheese-filled tortellini is the most popular, but meat or spinach varieties also work.
Q8: Can I use homemade tortellini?
A8: Yes, just make sure they are cooked and cooled before breading.
Q9: Can I make this dairy-free?
A9: Use dairy-free tortellini and skip the Parmesan, or use a plant-based alternative.
Q10: Can I serve this as a main dish?
A10: Absolutely! Pair with a salad or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Toasted Tortellini are fun, flavorful, and downright irresistible. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, snack, or even dinner, they’re bound to be a hit. So grab your favorite tortellini, heat up some oil, and let’s get crunching!
Print
Crispy Toasted Tortellini
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 35 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These crispy oven-baked toasted tortellini are coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then baked until golden perfection. A fun and unique appetizer that’s easy to make and perfect for dipping in marinara sauce!
Ingredients
For the Tortellini:
- 10 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
For the Breading:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 6 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
1. Blanch the Tortellini:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add tortellini and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they float to the surface.
- Drain well and spread on a large plate to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Breading:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a mini food processor, blend panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and parsley for a uniform coating. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Coat the Tortellini:
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add cooled tortellini and toss until fully coated.
- One by one, dredge the tortellini in the panko-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
- Arrange coated tortellini on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake & Serve:
- Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Extra Crispy Option: Flip tortellini halfway through baking for even crispiness.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 42 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg