This Chili Crisp Pasta Salad is crispy, flavorful, and packed with plenty of crunch. Instead of soft pasta, this version uses seasoned pasta that gets golden and crisp in the air fryer.
The crispy pasta stays crunchy, so this salad is easy to pack for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or game days. It takes about 30 minutes to make and is easy to prep ahead of time.
You can also use whatever veggies you have at home. Swap or leave out ingredients to suit your taste.
How to Make Chili Crisp Pasta Salad
INGREDIENTS:
For Prepping Pasta
- 1½ cups bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
For the Salad
- 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 tablespoons vegan feta
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup unsweetened vegan yogurt
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 385°F.
2. Spread the cooked and cooled pasta evenly in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta.
3. In a small bowl, mix the oregano, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Sprinkle the seasoning over the pasta and toss until well coated.
4. Air fry the pasta for about 10 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake halfway through. Cook until the pasta is golden and crispy.
5. In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce, parsley, cherry tomatoes, vegan feta, cucumber, and red onion.
6. Add the vegan yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add the chili oil and gently whisk a few times to create a swirled, lava-like effect.
7. Let the crispy pasta cool completely, then add it to the salad.
8. Pour the chili dressing over the salad and toss well before serving.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes:
- No air fryer? You can crisp the pasta in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 25–30 minutes, giving the pasta a gentle toss halfway through.
- Don’t have bowtie pasta? Shells, penne, fusilli, or rotini will work too.
- Want to add more protein? Toss in some boiled chickpeas, white beans, or tofu.
- You can make this salad a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Chili Crisp Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 385°F.
- Spread the cooked and cooled pasta evenly in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta.
- In a small bowl, mix the oregano, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Sprinkle the seasoning over the pasta and toss until well coated.
- Air fry the pasta for about 10 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake halfway through. Cook until the pasta is golden and crispy.
- In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce, parsley, cherry tomatoes, vegan feta, cucumber, and red onion.
- Add the vegan yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add the chili oil and gently whisk a few times to create a swirled, lava-like effect.
- Let the crispy pasta cool completely, then add it to the salad.
- Pour the chili dressing over the salad and toss well before serving.