Air Fryer Pasta Christmas Crack (Printable Version)

Crispy air-fried bowtie pasta tossed in a sweet cinnamon sugar blend for a festive treat.

# What You'll 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Boil bowtie pasta in salted water for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
02 - Toss the drained pasta with vegetable oil until evenly coated.
03 - Preheat 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 the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt in a large bowl.
06 - Transfer hot crispy pasta to a large bowl, drizzle with melted butter, and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Immediately sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the warm pasta and toss until thoroughly coated.
08 - Allow the pasta to cool completely for maximum crunch before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes decadent but takes just 25 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings.
  • The air fryer does the work—no deep frying mess, just crispy, golden pasta with way less oil.
  • It's a conversation starter that feels fancy enough to give as a gift, yet easy enough to make on a Tuesday afternoon.
02 -
  • Moisture is the enemy of crispness—that paper towel step isn't optional if you want that satisfying crunch.
  • Timing the butter and cinnamon sugar together while the pasta is still warm is what makes the coating stick and taste integrated, not just sprinkled on top.
03 -
  • Don't cook the pasta all the way to soft—al dente is your friend because it stays structurally sound through the air fry and gives you that satisfying bite.
  • A wide, shallow bowl for mixing the cinnamon sugar makes the tossing step so much easier and ensures nothing gets missed.
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