30-Minute Air Fryer Cacio E Pepe Pasta Fritters
Crispy-outside, tender pasta nests bound with Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, eggs, and cracked black pepper. These air-fried fritters deliver the savory umami punch of the Roman classic in handheld form. Serve as an appetizer, side dish, or light main with marinara for dipping. This version shortcuts traditional cacio e pepe by transforming leftover pasta into golden, fork-twirled bundles that cook in minutes without deep frying.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Cook spaghetti per package instructions, then rinse with cold water and chill.
- 2
Combine chilled spaghetti, grated cheese, flour, black pepper, and eggs in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until spaghetti is evenly coated.
- 3
Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. Line basket with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
- 4
Using a fork and spoon, twirl approximately 2 tablespoons of spaghetti mixture into a bundle and place on parchment. Repeat to form four bundles per batch.
- 5
Spray bundle tops with olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping and spraying again halfway through.
- 6
Cool for a couple minutes before serving.
Tips
Chill cooked pasta thoroughly before mixing; cold noodles hold their shape better and prevent the egg from scrambling during assembly.
Twirl bundles consistently (about 2 tablespoons each) so they cook evenly; uneven sizes may result in some over-crisping while others stay soft.
Don't skip the halfway flip and oil spray; this step ensures all sides brown evenly and prevents sticking.
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooked fritters in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 325 degrees F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness.
Form and chill unbaked bundles on a parchment-lined tray up to 24 hours. Cook directly from chilled state, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
Serve warm with marinara, arrabbiata, or a drizzle of good olive oil and flake salt. Pairs well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
Common Mistakes
Use room-temperature cooked pasta to avoid scrambled eggs; chill thoroughly beforehand.
Avoid skipping the oil spray between flips to prevent exterior drying and interior unevenness.
Don't overpack the air fryer basket; cook in batches so hot air circulates and fritters crisp evenly.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
FAQ
Can I make these with other pasta shapes?
Yes. Long thin pastas (linguine, fettuccine, angel hair) twirl most easily. Short shapes (penne, fusilli) require a spoon-and-fork press instead. Avoid very short pasta that won't hold bundles.
What if my fritters fall apart during cooking?
The mixture needs more binding. Increase eggs to 4 or add 1 tablespoon more flour. Ensure pasta is fully chilled and coated evenly. Twirl bundles tightly and don't flip too aggressively.
How long do cooked fritters keep, and can I freeze them?
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Freeze cooled fritters on a tray, then transfer to bags up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in air fryer at 325 degrees F for 5-6 minutes until crispy.