Air Fried Bowtie Pasta Crack (Printable)

Crispy bowtie pasta coated in cinnamon sugar for a sweet and salty festive crunch.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ For Frying

02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Cinnamon Sugar Mix

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

→ Finishing

06 - 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter

# Preparation steps:

01 - Boil bowtie pasta in salted water for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Toss the cooked pasta with vegetable oil until evenly coated.
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 in batches. 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 wide bowl and mix well.
06 - Transfer the crispy pasta to a large bowl and immediately drizzle with melted butter. Toss to coat evenly.
07 - While still warm, add the cinnamon sugar mixture to the pasta and toss thoroughly to ensure all pieces are coated.
08 - Allow the coated pasta to cool completely to achieve maximum crunch.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It uses pantry staples you already own, no special shopping required.
  • The sweet-salty crunch is so satisfying it vanishes faster than any cookie tray.
  • You can make it in under half an hour, even on your busiest holiday week.
  • It travels beautifully in tins or jars, making it a thoughtful edible gift.
02 -
  • Drying the pasta thoroughly after boiling is non-negotiable, wet pasta turns chewy instead of crispy.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through is essential or you will end up with burnt edges and pale centers.
  • Toss with butter while the pasta is piping hot, or the cinnamon sugar will not stick properly.
03 -
  • Use a wide, shallow bowl for tossing so the cinnamon sugar distributes evenly without clumping.
  • Make the cinnamon sugar mix ahead and store it in a jar, then you can whip up a batch anytime the craving hits.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check the pasta at 7 minutes to avoid burning the delicate edges.
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