Description
This Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta recipe transforms traditional lasagna into crispy, bite-sized rolls perfect for snacking or appetizers. Rolled lasagna noodles filled with a rich blend of cheeses and Italian seasonings are breaded and air fried to golden perfection. Served with homemade Alfredo and marinara sauces, these fritta bites offer all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna in a fun, easy-to-make format.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Rolls
- 10 ounces lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles)
- 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs (for filling)
Breading
- 1 ½ cups Italian bread crumbs or panko
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs (for breading)
Cooking and Serving
- Olive oil spray
- Canola oil (for pan-frying alternative)
- Homemade Alfredo sauce (for serving)
- Jar of marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Noodle Preparation: Boil the lasagna noodles until al dente. Once cooked, rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Mix together the ricotta, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and mozzarella cheeses with 2 large eggs and Italian seasoning to create the filling mixture.
- Assemble and Freeze: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over each lasagna noodle, then carefully roll them up into tight rolls. Place the rolled noodles on a flat surface and freeze them until firm; this helps them hold their shape during breading and cooking.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a bowl, scramble the remaining 2 eggs. In another bowl, combine the bread crumbs, olive oil, and finely grated Parmesan cheese. This will be used for coating the frozen lasagna rolls.
- Bread the Rolls: Dip each frozen lasagna roll first into the scrambled eggs, ensuring it is evenly coated, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture to cover all sides thoroughly.
- Air Fryer Cooking: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded lasagna fritta in the basket without overcrowding. Spray the tops with olive oil spray. Cook for 8 minutes, then carefully flip each fritta and cook for an additional 6–8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the cooked lasagna fritta from the air fryer and serve hot with homemade Alfredo sauce and marinara sauce for dipping.
- Pan-Fried Alternative: Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded fritta for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with Alfredo and marinara sauces.
Notes
- Freezing the rolled lasagna before breading helps maintain the shape and makes breading easier.
- For a crispier texture, ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated and spray with olive oil before air frying.
- Can be prepared ahead and frozen; just adjust cooking time slightly if cooking from frozen.
- Use Italian seasoning or a combination of dried basil, oregano, and thyme for optimal flavor.
- Both air frying and pan-frying methods are provided, but air frying is recommended for a healthier alternative.
