Pin It I stumbled onto this recipe by accident one December afternoon when I had leftover pasta and a curious four-year-old asking what we could make that was crunchy. The air fryer was already out, and I thought, why not? What started as a kitchen experiment turned into a bowl that emptied in minutes, with sticky fingers reaching back for more before I could even plate it properly.
The first time I brought this to a Christmas potluck, someone called it pasta crack, and the name stuck. I watched a friend who swore she didnt like sweet snacks go back three times, brushing cinnamon sugar off her sweater and laughing. Now its the one thing people text me about every December, asking if Im making it again.
Ingredients
- Bowtie pasta: The frilly edges crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, creating more surface area for that cinnamon sugar to cling to.
- Vegetable oil: A light coating helps the pasta crisp without turning greasy, and any neutral oil works just fine.
- Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar dissolves just enough when it hits the warm buttered pasta, creating a thin sweet shell.
- Ground cinnamon: This is what makes it smell like Christmas, warm and cozy and impossible to resist.
- Kosher salt: A small pinch balances the sweetness and makes every bite more interesting.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter acts like glue for the cinnamon sugar and adds a rich, toasty flavor.
Instructions
- Cook and dry the pasta:
- Boil the bowtie pasta in salted water until just al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain it well and spread it on paper towels, patting away as much moisture as you can so it fries up crispy instead of soggy.
- Coat with oil:
- Toss the dried pasta with vegetable oil in a large bowl until every piece has a light, even coating. This step is what gets you that golden crunch.
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and let it warm up for about 3 minutes.
- Air fry in batches:
- Spread the pasta in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pieces are golden and crisp.
- Make the cinnamon sugar:
- While the pasta crisps, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a wide bowl.
- Toss with butter:
- Transfer the hot, crispy pasta to a large bowl and immediately drizzle with melted butter, tossing until every piece is lightly coated. Work quickly while its still warm.
- Add cinnamon sugar:
- Dump the cinnamon sugar mix over the buttered pasta and toss energetically until every bowtie is covered in that sweet, spiced coating.
- Cool completely:
- Let the pasta cool on a baking sheet or in the bowl. It will get even crunchier as it cools down.
Pin It I remember my nephew grabbing a handful on his way out the door last year, leaving a trail of cinnamon sugar on the hardwood. He turned back and said, This tastes like if cereal and Christmas had a baby. I couldnt have described it better myself.
Flavor Variations
If you want a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the cinnamon sugar mix. I tried nutmeg once and loved the extra warmth it brought. You can also swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice if youre feeling festive, or go savory with garlic powder, parmesan, and Italian herbs instead of the sweet route.
Storage and Serving Ideas
Store this in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, though it rarely lasts that long. I like to pack it in clear jars with ribbon for edible gifts, or serve it in bowls at parties alongside popcorn and pretzels. It also makes a surprisingly good topping for vanilla ice cream if you want to get weird with it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is not drying the pasta enough after boiling, which leads to soggy results. Another is adding the cinnamon sugar too early, before the butter, and it just falls off. And dont skip shaking the basket halfway through frying, or youll get unevenly crisped pieces.
- Use a neutral oil, not olive oil, which can taste too strong when crisped.
- Let the air fryer preheat fully or the pasta wont crisp as fast.
- Taste the cinnamon sugar before tossing and adjust salt or sweetness to your liking.
Pin It This recipe turned a simple pantry staple into something people actually get excited about, and thats the kind of kitchen magic I live for. Make it once, and it will become your secret weapon every holiday season.
Questions & Answers
- → What type of pasta is best for this snack?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta works best due to its shape, providing a good surface for crisping and coating with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- → How do I ensure the pasta gets crispy in the air fryer?
Dry the cooked pasta thoroughly before tossing with oil and air frying. Shake the basket halfway through to promote even crisping.
- → Can I adjust the cinnamon sugar flavor?
Yes, adding a pinch of cayenne or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mix gives it a spicy or warm twist.
- → How should the snack be stored to maintain freshness?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep it crunchy.
- → Are there alternative pasta types that work well?
Penne or rotini can be used as substitutes if you prefer different shapes for variation.