Description
These crispy, cheesy tortellini bites are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer—quick to make, fun to eat, and perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Baked or air-fried to golden perfection, they’re delicious with a variety of dips and easy to customize for different tastes and diets.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (16 oz) fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini (or frozen, thawed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
- 1/2 cup pesto (for dipping)
- Ranch dressing (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If using fresh or refrigerated tortellini, separate any stuck pieces. If frozen, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place tortellini in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes and parsley. Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Oven method: Spread tortellini in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and slightly puffed.
- Air fryer method: Arrange tortellini in the basket without overlapping. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking once, until crispy and golden.
- Remove tortellini from heat and let cool for 2-3 minutes to crisp up further.
- Transfer to a serving platter. Serve hot with bowls of marinara, pesto, and ranch for dipping. Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra crunch, broil baked tortellini for 1-2 minutes at the end. Pat tortellini dry before coating for best crispiness. Serve immediately for maximum crunch; reheat leftovers in oven or air fryer. Gluten-free and vegan adaptations are possible with specialty tortellini and cheese alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes (oven) or 12-15 minutes (air fryer)
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 8 pieces per serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: cheese tortellini, party snacks, appetizer, finger food, baked tortellini, air fryer tortellini, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, Italian snacks