Grab a pack of cauliflower gnocchi, coat it in a homemade pizza seasoning and cook it to crispy perfection in the air fryer for the perfect snack or appetizer. Cauliflower gnocchi in the air fryer is great for entertaining, for feeding a crowd, or for a quick and easy meal when paired with a salad.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi
If you have been hanging around for long enough you will know that we love using cauliflower for everything around here. Why not try this Gruyere and Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe next?
If you are a fan of trader joe's cauliflower gnocchi (or Costco's frozen cauliflower gnocchi now that I live on the other side of the world and trader joes is a distant memory), then you are going to love this pizza-flavored cauliflower gnocchi.
Take your premade cauliflower gnocchi, coat in seasoning and lots of cheese, and air fry to crispy perfection.
Perfect for a quick snack, for an easy appetizer, or for serving to a crowd at a potluck or when hosting a sports game.
Even better, there is no cauliflower taste, so even cauliflower nay-sayers or traditional gnocchi enthusiasts are bound to enjoy these little nuggets.
You are going to need:
- a bag of gnocchi (cauliflower or potato): this can usually be found in the freezer section of Costco, or Trader Joe's. I have also started noticing it in the cold section of most well-stocked grocery stores as well. Of course, you can also sub in potato gnocchi if the cauliflower version isn't available where you live;
- grated cheese: as always, try and grate your own to avoid the powderiness of pre-grated cheese. I use a homemade pizza mix or some grated mozzarella, but any hard cheese will work. You may also want to have some parmesan cheese for sprinkling before serving;
- extra virgin olive oil: or any other cooking oil of choice;
- sea salt;
- dried oregano: it is easier to get dried oregano to stick to the gnocchi, so I would avoid fresh if at all possible. If you do decide to use fresh oregano you will need to use more and chop it very finely;
- onion powder;
- pizza sauce: this can either be store-bought or homemade using a recipe like this Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce. You can also sub in any other favorite sauce.
TIP: cauliflower gnocchi can be found at most well-stocked grocery stores these days. If you cannot find any where you live you can always use potato gnocchi instead.
If cauliflower gnocchi isn't available where you are, you could also try making this homemade version using cassava flour from Simply Recipes.
How To Make
This easy recipe makes a great last-minute snack.
Air frying gnocchi is the best way to get it to be super crispy all over.
It is important to make sure the gnocchi is completely coated in the oil, spices, and cheese if you want to make sure it is truly crispy.
Place the gnocchi in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Shake the basket of the air fryer every 2 minutes to be sure the gnocchi cooks evenly, and any cheese that melts off is redistributed and does not burn.
A little bit of burning of the cheese is to be expected and adds extra crunch to the dish.
It should be more of a golden brown than a black burnt though, as seen in the process shots below.
TIP: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make sure the gnocchi gets that crispy exterior we want.
Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions
All air-fryers are different.
If the basket of your air fryer has larger holes in the base, you may want to line it with some air-fryer-safe parchment paper or an air fryer liner to stop the cheese from dripping through the bottom.
Replace the cauliflower gnocchi with some potato gnocchi if it is hard to find in your area.
This recipe uses frozen cauliflower gnocchi, however, fresh would also work.
For best results, be sure to shake the basket of the air fryer every couple of minutes.
This will ensure perfectly crispy cauliflower gnocchi without burning.
How To Serve
Pizza seasoned cauliflower gnocchi can be served in any number of ways.
Why not try:
- serving as is with some pizza sauce, marinara sauce, or any other favorite dipping sauce;
- my personal favorite is with some toothpicks and a blue cheese sauce for serving a crowd;
- on top of a leafy green salad for a delicious meal;
- for an easy dinner served as a side dish with some grilled chicken. They are a great option in place of tater tots;
- as the main dish on top of a beautiful homemade pasta sauce;
Use your imagination and serve in a way your family or guests will love.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
To reheat, simply preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C), and pop into the air fryer basket for 2 minutes, until you once again have crispy gnocchi.
Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months if stored properly.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you love cooking in the air fryer as much as we do, you are going to want to try these recipes next:
- Super Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries Recipe
- Roasted Za'atar Chickpeas in The Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Edamame: From Fresh Or Frozen
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Which one will you try first?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes. No need to boil first.
Follow the simple steps in the recipe card below.
It will be cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
Allow to cool for about one minute before removing from the air fryer basket. This allows the cheese to cool and solidify, meaning it won't be completely melted when you try to serve.
This will depend on what brand of cauliflower gnocchi you buy.
Typically it will be made of cauliflower, cassava flour, egg, salt, and garlic powder.
Happy Eating.
xx
If you loved this recipe or have a question then be sure to leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card or leave a comment below.
Recipe
Pizza Seasoned Cauliflower Gnocchi In The Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 package cauliflower gnocchi (about 350g/12 ounces)
- ½ cup grated cheese pizza blend or mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ tesapoon dried onion powder
- ½ cup pizza sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss the gnocchi with the cheese, olive oil, sea salt, dried oregano and onion powder. Be sure that the gnocchi is evenly coated in the mixture.
- Transfer the gnocchi mixture to the basket of the air fryer, and arrange in a single layer.
- Cook at 400F (205C) for a total time of 10 minutes, shaking the basket approximately every 2 minutes to ensure even distribtion of the ingredients, even cooking and no sticking or burning.
- Once cooked, allow to cool for about one minute for easy removal without sticking.
- Serve the cooked gnocchi hot with the pizza sauce for dipping (or see below for other serving suggestions).
Notes
- serving as is with some pizza sauce, marinara sauce, or any other favorite dipping sauce;
- my personal favorite is with some toothpicks and a blue cheese sauce for serving a crowd;
- on top of a leafy green salad for a delicious meal;
- for an easy dinner serve as a side dish with some grilled chicken. They are a great option in place of tater tots;
- as the main dish on top of a beautiful homemade pasta sauce;
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Sherry says
I learned something new today. I never knew that Cauliflower Gnocchi was a product that you could buy. After searching my local grocery store, I found some and made your air fryer recipe. My family loved your pizza snack recipe!!
Donna says
So glad you were able to find it!
Rupali says
This is an impressive looking dish! Making this for my next potluck.
Eileen Kelly says
We just loved this gnocchi. I had potato gnocchi on hand. This was such an easy recipe to follow. The whole family loved it. I loved how easy it was to put together.
Angela says
I love this! Yummy salty, crunchy pizza goodness!
Linda says
Just made this cauliflower gnocchi recipe and my kids are in love! Super easy and delicious