This air fryer gnocchi recipe combines golden, crispy gnocchi with tender Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, capsicum and zucchini. It's topped with the delicious Maple Balsamic Dressing and a touch of feta. Air frying gnocchi makes a quick, easy meal that’s bursting with flavour and perfect for any day of the week!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Quick & Easy: Using the air fryer means minimal prep and cooking time - just like an Air Fryer Roast Chicken - making this dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Crispy & Flavourful. The gnocchi turns golden and crispy, while the roasted vegetables bring tender, Mediterranean-inspired flavours to every bite, topped with an amazing dressing like a Maple Balsamic or Honey Mustard.
Healthy & Satisfying: Packed with vibrant veggies similar to the Mediterranean Pasta Salad and crispy gnocchi, it’s a balanced meal that’s both nutritious and filling.
Versatile: You can swap in your favourite vegetables, perhaps some Grilled Asparagus or change up the sauce and use a Creamy Orange Balsamic or even a Satay Sauce to suit your taste, making it endlessly customizable.
Ingredients and substitutions
Gnocchi. Fresh gnocchi from the fridge section offers the best texture and flavour for this air fryer gnocchi recipe. If you want to try your hand at making your own, see this Homemade Gnocchi.
Mediterranean Vegetables. This gnocchi and vegetables recipe uses spring vegetables that are in season in Australia around October-November. I used Eggplant, Red capsicum and Zucchinis as they are cheaper and accessible at the supermarket during that time of year.
You can adjust to other vegetables you choose, but the time for cooking may need to be adjusted.
Cherry Tomatoes. Provide a (very literal) pop of flavour.
Asparagus. Asparagus in the air fryer crisp up really nicely and provide a difference of texture in the air fryer gnocchi vegetables.
Basil. Adds an herby depth to the dish and pairs really nicely with the Maple Balsamic Dressing with Basil that I use to top this air fryer gnocchi.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity.
How to make air fryer gnocchi
Step 1: In one air fryer compartment, place the gnocchi and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
In the other compartment, add the eggplant, red capsicum, zucchinis, and asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, season with dried basil, salt, and pepper, and toss to combine.
If using a single compartment, just add vegetables and put the gnocchi in when there's 25 minutes remaining.
Step 2: Air fry the Mediterranean vegetables for 30 minutes at 180°C (350°F) and the gnocchi for 15 minutes.
If using a single compartment, add on 10 minutes to each (i.e. vegetables for 40 minutes, add gnocchi when there's 25 minutes) as you will need to toss more to ensure even cooking.
Shake the gnocchi and toss the vegetables every 10 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
Step 3: With 10 minutes left, add the cherry tomatoes to the vegetable compartment. Toss gently to combine, and continue air frying.
Step 4: Once the timer is up, the gnocchi should be golden and crispy, and the vegetables tender with slightly caramelized edges. If needed, air fry for an additional 2–3 minutes.
Combine the crispy gnocchi with the roasted Mediterranean vegetables, drizzle with extra olive oil or your favourite dressing (I highly recommend the Maple Balsamic Dressing which is in the pictures, and serve warm) - or you can serve this as a cold gnocchi salad.
Top Tip
Don’t Overcrowd the Compartments: Ensure the gnocchi and vegetables are spread out in a single layer (as much as possible) in their respective compartments for even cooking and crisping. You can still do this in a single compartment with layers, but just remember to shake and toss frequently.
Meal prep and leftovers
Meal prepping air fryer gnocchi with Mediterranean vegetables is an excellent way to save time while ensuring a versatile, flavourful dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold. This recipe pairs beautifully with leftover proteins like Roast Chicken, Roast Turkey, or even Barramundi or Salmon for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storing
Store the cooked gnocchi and vegetables in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If storing with the dressing, add this at the bottom.
Reheating
Reheat the gnocchi and vegetables in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness, or warm them in a skillet for a lightly sautéed finish. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the gnocchi rubbery.
But, this dish tastes AMAZING as a cold salad, just like a Tuna Pasta Salad or Potato Salad, so try it both ways and let me know what you think!
Freezing
While freezing is not ideal for the cooked gnocchi, the roasted vegetables can be frozen for up to 2 months - but the tomatoes, in particular, will change texture due to the amount of water in them. Thaw the vegetables in the fridge overnight and reheat them alongside freshly cooked gnocchi for a quick meal.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
FAQs
Yes, you can air fry gnocchi, and it’s a quick way to achieve a golden, crispy texture with minimal effort. How to air fry gnocchi will depend on your air fryer, but generally, you’ll toss fresh gnocchi with olive oil, spread it in a single layer in the air fryer, and cook at 180°C (350°F) for about 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Mediterranean vegetables typically include a mix of eggplant, zucchini, red capsicum (pepper), cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. These veggies are often roasted or grilled with olive oil and herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme, making them perfect for pairing with dishes like air fryer gnocchi and vegetables.
No, there’s no need to boil gnocchi before air frying. Toss them directly with olive oil, and they’ll cook to crispy perfection.
Toss the gnocchi with olive oil and shake the basket halfway through cooking to prevent them from sticking together.
Other vegetarian pasta dishes
Or, you can have a browse through my Vegetarian Category for more delicious eats.
Recipe
Air Fryer Gnocchi (with Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables)
Ingredients
Gnocchi and Vegetables
- 500 g (1.1 lbs) gnocchi see Note 1
- 300 g (~1 medium) eggplant cut 1 inch pieces
- 200 g (~1 medium) red capsicum (pepper) sliced
- 200 g (~2 small) zucchinis cut 1 inch pieces
- 250 g (1 ½ cups) cherry tomatoes
- 200 g (~8 regular) asparagus ends trimmed
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
- 10 g (1 tbsp) basil dried
Maple Balsamic Sauce (notes on ingredients in that specific recipe card)
- 60 ml (¼ cup) balsamic vinegar
- 60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil extra virgin
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) maple syrup
- 5 g (1 tsp) dijon mustard
- 6 basil leaves finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely diced or minced
Topping (optional)
- 50 g (¼ cup) feta optional
- Fresh basil optional
Instructions
Prep
- In one air fryer compartment, toss the gnocchi with olive oil to coat. In the other compartment, mix the eggplant, red capsicum, zucchinis, and asparagus with olive oil, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- If using a single compartment, start with the vegetables and add the gnocchi when 25 minutes remain.
Cook Gnocchi & Vegetables
- Air fry the vegetables at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes and the gnocchi for 15 minutes. Shake the gnocchi and toss the vegetables every 10 minutes.
- If using one compartment, cook the vegetables for 40 minutes and add the gnocchi with 25 minutes remaining, tossing everything more frequently for even cooking.
- With 10 minutes left, add the cherry tomatoes to the vegetables, toss gently, and continue air frying.
- When done, the gnocchi should be golden and crispy, and the vegetables tender with slightly caramelized edges. If needed, air fry for an extra 2–3 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy
- Combine the crispy gnocchi with the roasted Mediterranean vegetables, drizzle with the dressing and serve warm, or enjoy as a cold gnocchi salad.
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