Crispy Pasta Salad

Name: Crispy Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces bowtie pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese; 3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce; 1 cup diced English cucumber; 1 cup halved grape tomatoes; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

This viral pasta salad features crunchy air fried pasta tossed with fresh vegetables and a creamy homemade dressing.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 26, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

25 minutes

Serves

I am fully on board with the crispy pasta trend. It takes a simple salad and makes it so much more fun with the perfect crunchy bite that feels like a total upgrade to the classic picnic dish.

My whole family is obsessed with this recipe, and it disappears every single time I make it for a gathering. We love serving it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or fresh sandwiches for a complete meal.

🧺 Ingredients

8 ounces bowtie pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
1 cup diced English cucumber
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Cook the bowtie pasta in boiling water until al dente, then drain well.
2
Place the cooked pasta into your air fryer basket and add the olive oil, garlic salt, 2 tablespoons of parmesan, and the Italian seasoning. Shake the basket to coat the pasta evenly.
3
Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, making sure to shake the basket halfway through until the noodles are golden and crunchy.
4
In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and the crispy pasta.
5
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of parmesan, and the fresh parsley until smooth.
6
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated. Serve immediately while the pasta is still nice and crunchy.

💡 Tips

To keep the texture perfect, assemble this salad right before you are ready to eat. If you do not have an air fryer, you can bake the seasoned pasta on a parchment lined sheet at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes until crispy.

#pasta salad #vegetarian #easy recipe #summer food

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