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Packaged cheese tortellini becomes amazing finger food when rolled in spiced breadcrumbs and fried to a golden crunch. These parmesan-crusted bites offer a delightful mix of crunchy outside and soft, cheesy inside that'll have everyone grabbing seconds. The blend of Italian seasonings, nutty parmesan, and gooey cheese filling makes these tasty morsels perfect for any party or get-together.
I stumbled upon this snack sensation while playing around in the kitchen before hosting my neighbors. After trying different coatings, this mix of herby panko and parmesan made the perfect crispy layer around the soft tortellini. My friends ate every last one within minutes, asking for the recipe and telling me to make twice as many next time.
Key Ingredients
- Tortellini: Works as the main component—stick with cheese-filled ones for traditional taste or try different fillings for something new.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Give much better crunch than standard breadcrumbs—they're bigger and fluffier, creating that amazing crispy texture when fried.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds rich flavor and helps the coating turn beautifully golden—fresh-grated melts perfectly into the crust and brings that wonderful savory taste.
Cooking Steps
- Getting Pasta Ready:
- Boil your tortellini for the shortest time listed on the package so they stay firm. Drain well and lay them on paper towels to get completely dry.
- Setting Up Coating:
- Put three coating ingredients in separate shallow dishes: flavored flour, whisked eggs, and a mix of panko, herbs, and parmesan.
- Coating Process:
- Roll tortellini first in flour, then dip in egg, then cover with the breadcrumb mixture, pushing gently so crumbs stick all over.
- Frying Method:
- Warm oil to 365°F. Cook small batches at a time, flipping halfway for even golden color.
- Oil Removal:
- Scoop out fried tortellini with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to soak up extra oil.
My next-door neighbor didn't think fried pasta would taste good until she tried these at my Christmas party. After her third helping and asking how to make them, she realized that cooking familiar foods differently can create whole new dishes. Now she makes them regularly for her teens and their buddies, loving how fast they come together despite looking and tasting so fancy.
Keeping Leftovers
Put any extras in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Warm them in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for a couple minutes to make them crispy again.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I prepare these earlier?
- They taste best fresh, but you can bread them a couple of hours before and fry just before sharing.
- → Is air frying an option?
- Definitely! Set your air fryer to 375°F, cook for 8-10 minutes, and turn them halfway for even crispiness.
- → What other sauces go with these?
- Swap marinara for pesto, garlic aioli, ranch, or even creamy alfredo for dipping.
- → Can frozen tortellini work?
- Absolutely! Just cook and dry them well before moving on to the breading step.
- → Any tips to keep the coating on?
- Make sure the tortellini is patted completely dry and press the crumbs firmly when coating.