# Crispy Gnocchi Caprese Salad

A warm twist on classic Caprese, this salad pairs air-fried gnocchi with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and basil, no boiling required. Season the gnocchi straight from the package with salt, paprika, Italian herbs and olive oil, then air-fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. That thin coat of oil is what lets them crisp rather than dry out, and a single layer in the basket keeps them from steaming and fusing. They're ready when the outsides turn golden and the centers stay soft and pillowy. Toss everything together while the gnocchi are still hot, drizzle with olive oil, and serve warm. Diced mozzarella works if you can't find pearls.

- **Prep:** 10 min · **Cook:** 10 min · **Total:** 20 min
- **Servings:** 4
- **Difficulty:** Easy
- **Cuisine:** Italian
- **Category:** Salads
- **Video:** [Don’t Make BBQ Without These 5 Crispy Salads](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiM80twn9_Y&t=156s) (recipe starts at 2:36)
- **Recipe page:** https://webspoon.world/recipes/crispy-gnocchi-caprese-salad/

## Ingredients

### For the gnocchi

- 500 g potato gnocchi (store-bought, about 1 lb 2 oz)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil

### For the salad

- 250 g cherry tomatoes (halved, about 9 oz)
- 200 g mozzarella pearls (or diced mozzarella, about 7 oz)
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more to taste)

## Instructions

1. Put the gnocchi in a bowl. Add salt, paprika, Italian herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil, then toss until evenly coated.
2. Spread the gnocchi in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes, until golden outside and soft inside. _(timer: 10 min)_
3. While the gnocchi cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes and prepare the mozzarella and basil.
4. Tip the hot crispy gnocchi into a bowl with the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently. Serve warm.

## Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

- Calories: 360 kcal
- Protein: 13 g
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbs: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 640 mg

## FAQ

### Do I boil the gnocchi first?

No — toss it straight from the package with oil and seasoning and air-fry. It crisps outside and turns pillowy inside without any boiling.

### How do I stop them sticking together?

Coat with a little oil and spread in a single layer in the basket. Shake partway through so they crisp on all sides instead of fusing.

### Can I add protein?

Yes — crispy pancetta, grilled chicken or white beans turn it into a meal. Add them at the end so the gnocchi stays crisp.

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Source: [Crispy Gnocchi Caprese Salad — Webspoon World](https://webspoon.world/recipes/crispy-gnocchi-caprese-salad/)