Description
Crispy, golden Parmesan Tortellini Bites featuring tender cheese tortellini coated in seasoned bread crumbs and fried to perfection. Served with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and your choice of marinara or pizza sauce for dipping, this appetizer is an irresistible crowd-pleaser perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tortellini
- Kosher salt, to taste (for boiling water and seasoning)
- 1 (12-oz.) bag fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, plus more for serving
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola oil), for frying
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade marinara or pizza sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh or frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the tortellini and transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess water.
- Prepare Coating Stations: Place the all-purpose flour into a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs until well blended. In a third shallow bowl, combine the plain bread crumbs, shredded Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk together until evenly mixed.
- Coat Tortellini: One by one, dredge each cooked tortellini in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip them into the beaten eggs, then gently coat each in the bread crumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere. Place the coated tortellini back onto the wire rack.
- Fry Tortellini: Heat the neutral oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the tortellini, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on all sides—about 1 minute per side. Remove and return them to the wire rack. Immediately season with salt to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy Parmesan tortellini bites to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve warm alongside marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
- You can substitute fresh tortellini with frozen, but adjust cooking time as needed based on the package instructions.
- For a lighter version, consider baking the coated tortellini at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy.
- Leftovers can be reheated in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 6-8 bites)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
