Save to Pinterest My housemate came home one night with an air fryer and a wild idea she'd seen online—what if pasta could become chips? I was skeptical until I heard the first batch crack under my teeth. We ended up standing around the counter, dipping them in marinara like it was the most normal thing in the world. A week later, I wondered what would happen if we treated them like tortilla chips, and this ridiculous, delicious experiment was born.
The first time I made these for a group, nobody believed me when I said they were pasta. Someone thought they were fancy fried wonton strips. When I finally admitted it, half the room went quiet and the other half immediately asked for the recipe. One friend ate them cold the next morning straight from the fridge and texted me a photo with no caption, just a thumbs up.
Ingredients
- Short pasta shapes: Rigatoni and penne hold up best in the air fryer because their ridges get extra crispy, but farfalle works if you want something with more surface area to catch toppings.
- Olive oil: Just enough to help the seasonings stick and encourage browning without making the pasta greasy or soggy.
- Garlic powder and smoked paprika: These two together create a savory base that tastes faintly like seasoned fries, which is exactly what you want.
- Boneless chicken breast: Diced small so it cooks fast and scatters evenly across the chips, though thighs would work if you prefer something juicier.
- Taco seasoning: The smoky, cumin-heavy flavor bridges the gap between pasta and nachos in a way that somehow just works.
- Cheddar cheese: Shred it yourself if possible because pre-shredded cheese has coating that keeps it from melting as smoothly.
- Jalapeños: Fresh slices add heat and a bright pop of color, but pickled ones bring tang if that is more your style.
- Sour cream, cilantro, tomato, red onion: These are optional but they make the dish feel complete, like you actually put thought into it instead of throwing things together.
Instructions
- Preheat and prep the pasta:
- Get your air fryer up to 200°C while you boil the pasta just shy of al dente, then drain it and spread it out on a towel to dry completely. Any lingering moisture will steam the pasta instead of crisping it, and you will end up with chewy bits instead of crunchy ones.
- Season and air-fry the chips:
- Toss the dried pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt until every piece is lightly coated, then spread them in a single layer in the basket. Shake the basket halfway through so they brown evenly and pull them out when they are golden and sound hollow when you tap them together.
- Cook the taco chicken:
- While the pasta crisps, heat oil in a skillet and toss in the diced chicken with taco seasoning and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally until the edges are browned and the chicken is cooked through, about five to seven minutes.
- Assemble and melt:
- Pile the crispy pasta chips on a platter, scatter the seasoned chicken over the top, then layer on shredded cheddar and jalapeño slices. Pop the whole thing back in the air fryer for two to three minutes, just until the cheese melts and starts to bubble at the edges.
- Garnish and serve:
- Pull it out, add dollops of sour cream, a handful of cilantro, diced tomato, and chopped red onion if you are feeling fancy. Serve it immediately while the cheese is still gooey and the chips are warm.
Save to Pinterest I brought these to a potluck once and someone asked if I catered it. I didn't correct them right away because honestly, it felt good to let people think I was more put-together than I actually am. Later, when I admitted it was just pasta and an air fryer, three people downloaded the recipe into their phones before I even finished talking.
Make It Your Own
If you want to skip the meat, black beans tossed with the same taco seasoning work beautifully and add a creamy texture that complements the crispy pasta. Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or corn also layer in nicely and give the dish a lighter, summery feel. For a spicier kick, drizzle hot sauce or chipotle crema over the top before serving, or mix cayenne into the pasta seasoning for heat that hits right away.
Storing and Reheating
The pasta chips stay crispy for about a day if you keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, but once you add toppings they soften fast. If you have leftovers, store the chips separately from the chicken and cheese, then reheat everything in the air fryer for three to four minutes to bring back some of the crunch. Toppings like sour cream and tomato should always be added fresh right before serving or they will make everything soggy.
Pairing and Serving Ideas
These nachos are great for game nights, casual dinners, or any time you want something that feels like a snack but eats like a meal. A cold lager or a lime margarita cuts through the richness of the cheese and complements the smoky, spiced chicken perfectly. If you are serving a crowd, set out small bowls of salsa, guacamole, and extra sour cream so people can build their own bites.
- Double the batch of pasta chips and keep extras on hand for snacking throughout the week.
- Try different cheese blends like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese mix for varied flavor.
- If you do not have an air fryer, bake the seasoned pasta on a sheet pan at 200°C for twelve to fifteen minutes, tossing halfway through.
Save to Pinterest There is something deeply satisfying about taking two things that should not go together and watching them work. Every time I make these, someone asks what they are before they try them, and then they stop talking for a minute because they are too busy eating.
Questions & Answers
- → How do you make pasta chips crispy?
Cook pasta until slightly underdone, then toss with oil and spices before air-frying at high heat to achieve a golden, crunchy texture.
- → Can I use other proteins instead of chicken?
Yes, black beans or grilled vegetables can replace chicken for a vegetarian version while maintaining flavor.
- → What seasoning blends well with the chicken?
Taco seasoning adds a zesty, smoky flavor that complements the crispy pasta base perfectly.
- → Is it necessary to use an air fryer?
An air fryer crisps the pasta chips evenly and quickly, but a conventional oven at high temperature can be an alternative.
- → What toppings enhance the dish best?
Shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, cilantro, diced tomato, and red onion add layers of flavor and texture.