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Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites

These Fried Tortellini Bites are surrounded by a crispy Parmesan Crust and make a fantastic appetizer with some warm marinara sauce for dipping! Plus, instructions for baking them!

Be sure to try my sweet cream cheese wontons next!
a fork dipping a fried and breaded tortellini bite into marinara sauce

This fried tortellini is definitely one of my favorite appetizers to date. (And the quickest to disappear at a party, might I add.) Let’s get into some FAQ!

Can You Make These Ahead of Time?

Preparing the breading for this fried tortellini can take a bit of prep time.

Luckily, you can bread these ahead of time and place the breaded tortellini an an airtight container in the fridge the day before you’re ready to fry them up.

Can You Make These in an Air Fryer?

Anything with a breading like this (as opposed to a liquid deep fry batter) works well in an air fryer.

You can also use Ravioli to make this recipe in an air fryer. Check out how it’s done here.

Baking Method

  • Yes. To bake these, preheat your oven to 375° and place a greased baking sheet in the heated oven for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the breaded tortellini on top. Lightly spread with cooking spray.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, until they’re crisp and begin to toast and brown.
  • Remove from the oven and serve with warm marinara!

a plate of breaded, fried tortellini with marinara sauce in background.

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Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites with a fork dipping one into Marinara sauce.

Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites

5 from 7 ratings
These Fried Tortellini Bites are surrounded by a crispy Parmesan Crust and make a fantastic appetizer with some warm marinara sauce for dipping!

Ingredients

  • 9 oz. refrigerated three cheese tortellini, see notes for my preferred brand
  • 48 oz. Canola oil, (6 cups)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, (optional)
  • ½ cup marinara sauce

Instructions

  • Mix together the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
  • Cook the tortellini until it’s 1 minute before it’s al-dente. Drain, and coat generously with flour.
  • Dip each tortellini into the beaten eggs, and then into the panko mixture.
  • Heat the oil in a dutch oven to 375 degrees. You may not need to use all of the canola oil but ensure that the tortellini is covered by an inch or two. 
  • If you’re unsure if the oil is the right temperature, put a test piece of tortellini in the oil and ensure that it begins to fry almost immediately, but not too intensely. Cook the tortellini pieces for about 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. You may have to do this in batches.
  • Place on a paper towel, pat dry, and serve with warm marinara sauce!

Notes

Baking Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375° and place a greased baking sheet in the heated oven for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the breaded tortellini on top. Lightly spread with cooking spray.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, until they're crisp and begin to toast and brown. 
  • Remove from the oven and serve with warm marinara!
BUITONI Refrigerated Three Cheese Tortellini is great with this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 453mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 225IU, Vitamin C: 1.4mg, Calcium: 139mg, Iron: 2.6mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

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Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites

Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites

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53 comments on “Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites”

  1. Hey Stephanie ! I’m planning on making this recipe for lunch but I wanted to make them in the air fryer so what temperature and how long would you recommend?

    • Hi Rachel, I don’t have tested instructions outlined for the air fryer, but I do know that others have successfully air fried these in the past. Some air fryers run hotter than others and there are several different kinds, so it’s not as easy to give a straightforward temp/timeframe.

  2. If I am making these for a potluck style event, what are your thoughts on keeping them warm? After baked and everything, could I leave them in a crock pot on warm (with no liquid)? Or would it be better to just serve them cold?

    • Hi Bree! Keeping them warm in a crock pot will make them soggy, but you can pop them into a warm oven to just briefly heat them back up again once cooled! I’ve served them cool as well and people have enjoyed them!

  3. For the baking instructions you just follow the original instructions up until heating the oil correct? So you still boil them and bread them and then put them in the oven?

  4. I just made these in the air fryer and they came out great! I had to walk away before I ate all of them. Thanks!

    • I’m so happy you enjoyed these Heather! I totally know what you mean, it’s easy to get in the zone when eating these. All of a sudden they’re just gone😂. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!

    • Hi Heather,
      I’d love to avoid frying in oil. What temperature and for how long in the air fryer? Any other tips for adapting this?

  5. hello. just wondering and hopefully you can respond, is this to be eaten cold or hot as i am bringing this to an offsite party?

    • Hi Hilda! This would preferably be served warm! Even if you could somehow keep the marinara sauce warm somehow that would be good! (I would still eat them cold though, haha!)

      • you are an angel for the quick reply. I wlil be actually making some sheet pan nachos so we can pop this in my daughters oven quickly! perfect!!! I am going to do the fry at home and then pop them in the oven when there. Awesome looking forward to this~

      • You are so welcome! That sounds so wonderful!! Enjoy!!

  6. Can I use frozen tortellini for this? Maybe thaw before hand or boil per directions? I already have a frozen bag and all of the other ingredients and would rather avoid the store! Thanks!! 

  7. Can these be cooked in the air fryer?

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