18 Air Fryer Pasta Chips, Donuts, and Surprising Recipes

Look, I need to be honest with you. When I first heard about making pasta chips in an air fryer, I thought someone was pulling my leg. Pasta? As chips? In the thing I use to reheat leftover pizza? But here’s the thing—once you start thinking outside the box with your air fryer, you realize it’s basically a mini convection oven that can turn almost anything crispy, golden, and downright addictive.

I’ve spent the last few months experimenting with weird and wonderful air fryer recipes, and honestly, some of them blew my mind. We’re talking donuts that don’t require a deep fryer, pasta that crunches like your favorite tortilla chip, and a bunch of other surprisingly delicious stuff that’ll make you rethink what that countertop appliance can actually do.

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a conversation-starter appetizer, or just want to impress your friends with your kitchen wizardry, these 18 recipes are going to change the way you use your air fryer. No fancy equipment needed—just your trusty air fryer and a willingness to get a little creative.

Why Your Air Fryer Is More Versatile Than You Think

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk about why the air fryer is basically the Swiss Army knife of kitchen appliances. Most people use it for the obvious stuff—chicken wings, frozen fries, maybe some vegetables. But the real magic happens when you start treating it like a versatile cooking tool instead of just a healthier deep fryer.

The air fryer works by circulating hot air around food at high speed, creating that crispy exterior we all crave without drowning everything in oil. This means you can get creative with textures in ways you never thought possible. Leftover pasta? Crispy snack. Day-old donuts? Revived and better than new. Random ingredients you’re not sure what to do with? Probably air fryer material.

I’ve found that the key to air fryer success is understanding that it’s not just about making things crispy—it’s about exploring new textures and flavor combinations. According to Healthline’s research on air fryer cooking, this method can reduce calorie intake by up to 80% compared to traditional frying while maintaining similar taste and texture profiles.

The Pasta Chip Revolution

Classic Bowtie Pasta Chips

Let’s start with the recipe that started this whole obsession. Bowtie pasta chips are ridiculously easy and dangerously addictive. You literally cook pasta like normal, toss it with some oil and seasonings, then air fry until crispy. The result? Something that tastes like a fancy cracker met an Italian restaurant and had a delicious baby.

I use this simple pasta strainer to drain my pasta perfectly every time—no more soggy disasters. The trick is making sure your pasta is completely dry before it hits the air fryer basket, otherwise you end up with chewy bits instead of chips.

Cook your bowtie pasta until it’s just al dente, drain it well, then toss with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a generous amount of parmesan. Spread them in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for about 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re golden brown and crispy.

Spicy Penne Chips with Ranch Dip

If you like things with a kick, penne chips are your new best friend. The hollow tube shape means more surface area for seasonings, and they’re perfect for scooping up dips. I coat mine with a mixture of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and a touch of ranch seasoning powder.

The beauty of spicy pasta chips is that you can adjust the heat level to whatever you can handle. Start mild and work your way up—trust me, these are so good you’ll want to eat the whole batch. For more inspiration on quick air fryer snacks, check out these air fryer snacks under 200 calories.

Cheesy Rotini Chips

Here’s where things get really fun. Rotini pasta chips take on seasonings like a dream because of all those spirals. I like to toss mine with a blend of cheddar cheese powder, nutritional yeast, and a pinch of smoked paprika. It’s basically the grown-up version of those cheese puffs you loved as a kid, but way better.

The cheese gets all crispy and caramelized in the air fryer, creating these incredible flavor pockets throughout each chip. I picked up this cheese powder shaker from Amazon and it’s changed my seasoning game completely—perfect for even distribution.

Air Fryer Donuts That’ll Shock You

Canned Biscuit Donuts

Okay, this is going to sound too easy to be good, but hear me out. You take canned biscuit dough, poke a hole in the center, brush with melted butter, and air fry. That’s it. Ten minutes later you have fresh donuts that taste like you spent all morning at a bakery.

I use this small biscuit cutter to make perfect donut holes from the centers, and then I fry those too because why waste perfectly good dough? The texture is fluffy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior that’s perfect for holding glaze or powdered sugar.

Air fry at 350°F for about 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through. While they’re still warm, dip them in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or roll them in cinnamon sugar. Honestly, these are so good that I’ve made them for brunch parties and people refuse to believe they came from canned dough. Get Full Recipe

Old-Fashioned Cake Donuts

If you want to go a bit more traditional, cake donuts in the air fryer are surprisingly straightforward. The batter is similar to what you’d use for a regular baked donut, but the air fryer creates this amazing texture that’s somewhere between fried and baked.

You’ll need a silicone donut pan that fits in your air fryer basket—I struggled with this at first until I found the right size. The pan makes perfectly shaped donuts and cleanup is a breeze. Mix up your batter, fill the molds about two-thirds full, and air fry at 320°F for 8-10 minutes.

For more creative breakfast ideas that work perfectly in the air fryer, you might want to explore these 5-ingredient air fryer breakfast ideas that are just as simple but equally delicious.

Glazed Donut Holes

Donut holes are basically the perfect bite-sized treat, and making them in the air fryer means you can have fresh ones anytime without heating up a whole pot of oil. I make mine with a simple dough that’s more like a biscuit consistency—easy to shape and impossible to mess up.

Roll your dough into small balls, place them in the air fryer basket with some space between each one, and cook at 350°F for 6-7 minutes. They puff up beautifully and get this gorgeous golden color that makes them look like they came from a professional bakery. Toss them in glaze while warm and watch them disappear.

Surprising Snacks You Never Knew You Needed

Crispy Ravioli Bites

This one’s a game-changer for parties. Frozen ravioli transformed into crispy appetizers—no boiling required. You literally take frozen ravioli, brush them with egg wash or oil, coat in breadcrumbs, and air fry until golden. The filling stays creamy while the outside gets perfectly crispy.

I serve mine with marinara sauce for dipping, but they’re also incredible with ranch or even a balsamic reduction. The best part? You can use any flavor of ravioli you want. Cheese, spinach, lobster—they all work. I keep these Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs on hand specifically for this recipe.

Egg Roll Wrappers Turned Chips

Here’s something I discovered by accident when I had leftover egg roll wrappers. Cut them into triangles, spray with a bit of oil, season however you want, and air fry. They turn into these incredibly crispy, light chips that are perfect for dipping or just snacking on their own.

I’ve tried them with everything from cinnamon sugar for a sweet version to garlic and herb for savory. They cook in just 5-6 minutes at 375°F, and you can stack them after they cool. Way better than store-bought chips, and you can control exactly what goes on them. These pair wonderfully with the techniques I use in air fryer veggies that actually taste good.

Mozzarella Stick Reinvented

Everyone knows you can make mozzarella sticks in an air fryer, but here’s the twist—use string cheese, coat them twice for extra crunch, and add a surprise ingredient to the breading. I mix crushed cornflakes into my breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture that holds up way better than regular breading.

Freeze your coated cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes before air frying—this is crucial. It prevents the cheese from melting out before the coating gets crispy. Air fry at 390°F for about 6-8 minutes, and you’ll have the perfect cheese pull every single time.

Sweet Treats That Sound Impossible

Air Fryer Oreos

Yes, you read that right. Oreos in the air fryer taste like fair food without the grease or the price tag. Wrap them in crescent roll dough, air fry, and dust with powdered sugar. The cookie stays slightly soft while the dough gets golden and flaky.

I make these for movie nights and they’re always gone in minutes. The trick is not to overfill the dough—just one Oreo per piece of dough, sealed tightly. Cook at 350°F for 8 minutes and prepare for everyone to ask how you made them. Speaking of quick treats, you might also love these easiest air fryer dinners ready in 10 minutes for when you need something savory just as fast.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps

This is one of those recipes that seems too simple to be special, but trust me. Cut flour tortillas into triangles, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and air fry. You end up with crispy, sweet chips that are perfect for snacking or serving with fruit salsa.

I use this cinnamon sugar shaker because the ratio is already perfect and it distributes evenly. These cook in just 6-7 minutes at 350°F, and you can make a huge batch at once. They stay crispy in an airtight container for days, though they never last that long in my house.

Stuffed Cookie Dough Bombs

Take cookie dough, stuff it with a Hershey’s Kiss or a caramel, seal it up, and air fry. What you get is a warm, gooey center with a slightly crispy outside—basically the best parts of a cookie and a lava cake combined.

The key is using refrigerated cookie dough that’s cold—it’s easier to work with and holds its shape better. Form balls around your filling, making sure it’s completely sealed. Air fry at 320°F for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes before eating unless you want to burn your tongue on molten chocolate. Get Full Recipe

If you’re looking for more creative ways to use your air fryer beyond just these sweet treats, I highly recommend checking out these beginner-friendly air fryer meals that anyone can master.

Savory Surprises That’ll Impress

Pizza Roll-Ups

Think of these as pizza meets cinnamon rolls, but savory. Roll out pizza dough, spread with sauce and cheese, roll it up, slice into rounds, and air fry. Each piece has layers of melted cheese and crispy edges that are absolutely addictive.

I like adding pepperoni or cooked sausage to mine, but you can use whatever toppings you prefer. The air fryer cooks them evenly on all sides, so every bite has that perfect texture. Cook at 380°F for 10-12 minutes, rotating the basket once halfway through.

Wonton Wrapper Cups

Here’s a versatile one. Press wonton wrappers into a mini muffin tin, brush with oil, and air fry until crispy. Now you have edible cups for whatever you want—taco filling, chicken salad, even dessert.

I make a big batch of these and keep them in an airtight container. They’re perfect for parties because you can fill them right before serving. They cook in just 5-6 minutes at 350°F and look way fancier than the effort required. Research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that cooking methods like air frying can help retain more nutrients in foods compared to deep frying.

Bacon-Wrapped Everything

Okay, this isn’t exactly surprising since bacon makes everything better, but the air fryer makes bacon-wrapped foods so much easier. No oven preheating, no splattering grease, and perfectly crispy bacon every time.

I’ve done bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, asparagus, chicken bites, even dates stuffed with goat cheese. The air fryer renders the fat perfectly while crisping up the bacon. Cook at 400°F for 10-14 minutes depending on what you’re wrapping, and you’re golden.

The Weirdest Ones That Actually Work

Hard-Boiled Eggs (Sort Of)

Technically these are air-fried eggs, not boiled, but they peel so much easier and the texture is actually better. Place eggs directly in the air fryer basket, cook at 250°F for 15-16 minutes, then ice bath. Perfect eggs every single time without boiling water.

I was skeptical about this method until I tried it, and now I don’t make hard-boiled eggs any other way. The shells practically fall off, and there’s no weird green ring around the yolk. Game-changer for meal prep. For more meal prep inspiration, take a look at these air fryer meal prep ideas for the week.

Roasted Chickpea “Nuts”

I know, I know—chickpeas aren’t exactly surprising anymore. But the way the air fryer transforms them into crunchy, nut-like snacks still amazes me. Drain and dry canned chickpeas thoroughly, toss with oil and spices, then air fry until crispy.

The trick is cooking them at a lower temperature (370°F) for longer (about 15 minutes), shaking the basket every 5 minutes. They should be completely dry and crunchy, not soft at all. I season mine with everything from buffalo ranch to cinnamon sugar, and they’re the perfect healthy snack.

Pickle Chips

Air fryer pickles are a revelation. Bread-and-butter pickles work best because they’re less watery. Coat them in a mixture of flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs, then air fry until golden. The coating gets super crispy while the pickle stays tangy and slightly warm inside.

Serve with ranch dressing or a spicy mayo, and watch people lose their minds. I use these pickle tongs to handle them without making a mess—trying to bread pickles with your hands is a slippery disaster. Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping once.

Tips for Air Fryer Success with Unconventional Recipes

After making all these weird and wonderful recipes, I’ve learned a few things that make the difference between success and disaster. First, don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. I know it’s tempting to cram everything in there, but air needs to circulate for things to get crispy.

Second, invest in a good kitchen thermometer. Some air fryers run hot or cold, and knowing the actual temperature helps you adjust. Mine runs about 15 degrees cooler than the display says, which I only figured out after several batches of overcooked food.

Third, shake or flip your food at least once during cooking. This ensures even browning and prevents those sad, pale spots. I set a timer on my phone because I will absolutely forget otherwise.

You’ll also want to keep your air fryer clean. I wipe mine down after every use and do a deep clean once a week. Built-up grease can cause smoking and affect the taste of your food. These cleaning brushes make it way easier to get into all those nooks and crannies.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with cooking times and temperatures. Every air fryer is different, and what works in mine might need tweaking in yours. Start checking your food a few minutes before the recommended time and adjust from there. For more guidance on getting the most out of your appliance, these easy air fryer recipes for beginners are a great starting point.

Making These Recipes Work for Your Lifestyle

The best thing about these unconventional air fryer recipes is how adaptable they are. Making pasta chips for yourself? Scale down the batch. Hosting a party? Triple everything and set up a topping bar so people can customize their own.

I like to prep components ahead of time when possible. Cut up those egg roll wrappers on Sunday, store them in a zip-top bag, and air fry them fresh whenever you want chips. Same with the cookie dough bombs—form them, freeze them, and cook directly from frozen when a craving hits.

These recipes also work great for using up random ingredients. Got leftover pasta? Chips. Random wontons? Cups. That questionable can of biscuits in the back of your fridge? Donuts. It’s like having a magic machine that turns leftovers into exciting new food.

Looking for more quick and healthy options? You’ll love these healthy air fryer meals you can make in minutes that follow the same principles of creativity and simplicity.

Final Thoughts

Look, I get it—some of these recipes sound a bit out there. Pasta chips? Air fryer donuts? Pickle chips? But that’s exactly what makes them fun. Cooking doesn’t always have to be about following traditional methods or sticking to what everyone else is doing.

The air fryer has become one of my most-used kitchen tools precisely because it lets me experiment without much risk. If a batch of pasta chips doesn’t work out perfectly, I’ve only wasted some leftover pasta and five minutes of time. But when it does work? You’ve got a unique snack that nobody else is making.

These 18 recipes are just the beginning. Once you start thinking creatively about what you can put in your air fryer, you’ll find yourself experimenting with all sorts of ingredients. That’s where the real fun starts—when you stop following recipes exactly and start trusting your instincts.

So grab your air fryer, pick a recipe that sounds interesting, and give it a shot. Worst case scenario, you learn something. Best case? You discover your new favorite snack or dessert. Either way, you’re expanding your cooking skills and having fun doing it. And really, isn’t that what cooking should be about?