Pasta Chips are my go-to when that salty crunch craving just hits outta nowhere. Been there? You open your pantry, and suddenly regular old potato chips just seem—meh. Oh, but have you ever tried making these at home? Game-changer. It’s even easier than whipping up this one-skillet cheesy ground chicken pasta recipe or boiling up a pot for your favorite ditalini pasta recipe. Get ready to make your snack game practically legendary.
Ingredients to make Pasta Chips
You’re barely gonna believe how basic the ingredient list is. It’s almost embarrassing. Grab your favorite pasta shape (shorter is better, like bowties or penne), a little olive oil, some parmesan cheese (trust me, use real stuff if you can), and your seasoning buddies—garlic powder, salt, pepper, and maybe a sprinkle of Italian herbs. That’s basically it.
You can totally freestyle depending on what’s lurking in your pantry. Sometimes I get wild with smoked paprika or red pepper flakes. Feeling fancy? Try using shredded pecorino instead of parm, or swap in a herby blend if you’re feeling bold. Don’t stress if you run out of parmesan (been there)—honestly, just toss in whatever cheese you’ve got. The pasta chips are super forgiving.
Alternative Seasonings
This part is the wild west—seasoning is where you make it yours. The classic garlic parmesan is solid, but you can totally shake it up. Got taco seasoning? Toss it in. Ranch powder? You’re living on the edge, friend. Some people go for Cajun spice blends, or that everything bagel seasoning everyone’s obsessed with now (can confirm, it’s excellent).
One day I just dumped in some lemon-pepper mix out of sheer curiosity—happy accident. If you like it spicy, sriracha powder or a dusting of cayenne kicks it up. I saw this on a trending pesto langostino zucchini and pasta recipe and thought—why not? Just remember, the best part is playing around.
I didn’t think I’d like pasta chips much, but the Cajun version totally blew my mind. Crunchy, super flavorful, and somehow better than any store-bought chip!
– Jen R., 2-batch convert
How to make Air Fried Pasta Chips
OK, you’ve got an air fryer? Nice. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil, toss in the pasta, and cook it al dente—like, a little firm. Drain and put it in a bowl. Drizzle with a glug of olive oil, dump in your seasonings, and a handful of grated cheese. Toss until everything’s shiny and coated.
Pop it in the air fryer (spread it out a bit, or it clumps—been there, not ideal). Crank it to 400°F, then give those little guys about 10-13 minutes. Shake the basket halfway, just to be sure nobody’s burning on one side. They come out golden, crispy, and way too easy to eat by the handful. If you overcook these by a couple of minutes, well, they get extra crunchy but still good.
How to make Oven Baked Pasta Chips
No air fryer? No problem. Oven brings the heat just fine and your house will smell like an Italian grandma’s secret kitchen. Start like before, boiling your pasta until just al dente. Drain, toss with oil and your favorite seasonings.
Line a baking tray with parchment (foil works if that’s all you’ve got—I always forget parchment). Spread the seasoned pasta out so it’s got some space. Bake at about 425°F for around 22 to 25 minutes. Flip and shuffle once in the middle (yeah, it really matters for crunchiness). Don’t wander too far—these can hit crispy perfection fast. Wait till they’re gold and cool before you munch, otherwise you risk burning your tongue—ask me how I know.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Is this the world’s healthiest snack? Mmm, not really, but it’s 100% more fun than basic crackers. Each serving (and let’s be honest, you’ll probably eat more than one) hits around:
- 140 to 160 calories (depends on the cheese load)
- Around 5-7g protein if you went for the real parmesan
- Roughly 2g fiber (yay, pasta!)
- Sodium and fat can jump with heavier seasoning or if you go wild on oil
Keep an eye on your add-ins if you care about that sort of thing. Me? I just enjoy the crunch.
Common Questions
Q: What pasta shape works best for pasta chips?
A: Bowties win for looks and texture, but penne, rigatoni, or rotini work just fine. I’ve even used elbow macaroni in a pinch.
Q: Do I have to use parmesan cheese?
A: Nope—any hard cheese will do, or skip it for a dairy-free version. It won’t taste the same, but hey, it works.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: For sure—just use your favorite GF pasta. Watch the cook time, though (they sometimes crisp up faster).
Q: How should I store leftovers?
A: Airtight jar or zip bag, room temp. They should stay crisp for three-ish days. Not that they usually last that long.
Q: Can I use oil spray instead of drizzling oil?
A: Totally! Just make sure the pasta’s all coated so you get that perfect crunch.
Ready to Crunch It Up?
To wrap it all up, making pasta chips at home is dead simple and so easy to riff on. Whether you air fry, bake, or experiment with wild seasonings, it’s a snack that rarely disappoints—even my pickiest friends are always surprised. Need more pasta chip inspiration? Check out viral recipes like the ones on Cooking With Ayeh and the Eating Bird Food take on pasta chips for even more twists you can steal. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Turn that leftover pasta into crispy gold—your next movie night is begging for it!
Print
Pasta Chips
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and customizable pasta chips perfect for snacking, easy to make at home with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta (e.g., bowtie or penne)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Italian herbs, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, ranch powder, taco seasoning, lemon-pepper mix
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente.
- Drain the pasta and place it in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil, add seasonings and cheese, then toss to coat.
- For air frying: Spread the pasta in the air fryer basket, set to 400°F, and cook for 10-13 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- For oven baking: Preheat the oven to 425°F, spread pasta on a parchment-lined tray, and bake for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Remove when golden and crispy and let cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
Experiment with different cheeses and seasonings to make the recipe your own. Make sure to monitor cooking time to avoid over-crunching.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air frying or Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: pasta chips, snack recipe, crispy snacks, air fryer, oven baked, easy snacks