This Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta brings the magic of Olive Garden’s beloved appetizer right to your kitchen with a healthier twist. Inspired by the restaurant favorite, these crispy rolls of pasta filled with a rich five-cheese blend deliver an irresistible combination of creamy interior and crunchy exterior. Perfect as an impressive appetizer for guests or a delightful Italian-inspired snack for your family.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthier than the restaurant version when made in the air fryer, with all the incredible flavor intact
• Versatile cooking methods allow you to choose between air fryer or traditional pan-frying
• Make-ahead friendly—prepare and freeze in advance for quick cooking when needed
• Impressive presentation that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen
• Customizable with your choice of dipping sauces to suit everyone’s taste preferences

Ingredients

• Lasagna Noodles: Regular lasagna noodles work best here—avoid no-boil varieties as they won’t achieve the right texture. For easier eating, trim off those wavy edges before rolling.
• Ricotta Cheese: Whole milk ricotta provides the creamiest filling. If you prefer a lighter version, part-skim ricotta works but will be slightly less rich.
• Cheese Blend: The magic happens with the combination of Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Mozzarella cheeses. Each brings a unique flavor profile—from the nutty Parmesan to the sharp Romano, the mild Asiago, and the melty mozzarella.
• Italian Seasoning: This herb blend adds aromatic flavor to the cheese filling. Feel free to customize with additional fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired.
• Eggs: These serve as both a binder in the cheese filling and as part of the breading process, ensuring your frittas hold together perfectly.
• Bread Crumbs: Italian-seasoned bread crumbs or panko both work well. Panko will give you an extra crispy exterior if that’s your preference.
• Olive Oil: Used to toast the breadcrumbs for maximum flavor and golden color before air frying.
• Cooking Spray/Oil: Essential for achieving that golden-brown exterior in the air fryer or when pan-frying.
• Dipping Sauces: The combination of marinara and Alfredo creates the perfect balance of tangy and creamy for dipping.

Variations

Meat Lover’s Lasagna Fritta

Add finely chopped cooked Italian sausage or ground beef to the cheese mixture for a hearty, protein-packed version. Make sure the meat is cooled and well-drained before mixing to avoid excess moisture in your filling.

Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna Fritta

Incorporate thawed and well-drained frozen spinach along with chopped artichoke hearts into the cheese mixture for a restaurant-worthy appetizer inspired by the classic dip. The added vegetables bring a nice textural contrast and nutritional boost.

Spicy Lasagna Fritta

Kick things up by adding crushed red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture and including pepper jack cheese in your blend. Serve with a spicy arrabbiata sauce for dipping to really bring the heat to this Italian classic.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta

Cook the lasagna noodles until they’re al dente—soft enough to roll but still firm enough to hold their shape. Once cooked, immediately rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to handle. Trim off any wavy edges for a cleaner look and easier rolling. Lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, all four grated cheeses (Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Mozzarella), Italian seasoning, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth, uniform cheese mixture. This rich blend is the heart of your lasagna fritta, so make sure everything is well incorporated for the best flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Assemble and Freeze

Lay each lasagna noodle flat and spread a generous layer of the cheese mixture evenly across the surface. Carefully roll each noodle into a compact 2-3 inch cylinder. Place these rolls on a parchment-lined container, ensuring they don’t touch each other, and freeze for 1-2 hours. This crucial freezing step firms up the rolls, making them much easier to bread and cook while maintaining their shape.

Step 4: Bread the Rolls

Prepare your breading station by scrambling eggs in one dish and creating a toasted breadcrumb mixture in another. For extra flavor, toast the breadcrumbs with olive oil in the microwave until golden, then mix in Parmesan once cooled. Dip each frozen roll first in the egg wash, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess between steps.

Step 5: Cook to Crispy Perfection

For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket and the breaded rolls with cooking oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip each piece, then cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden and crispy. For pan-frying, heat canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the rolls for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Either way, serve immediately with warm marinara and Alfredo sauce for dipping.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Allow the pasta to cool completely before adding the cheese mixture—this prevents the cheese from melting prematurely.
• Don’t skip the freezing step! Freezing the rolled lasagna helps them hold their shape during cooking.
• For the crispiest exterior, make sure your breadcrumbs are well-toasted before coating.
• When air frying, don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
• If the lasagna frittas look dry during air frying, a light spray of oil will help them crisp up evenly.
• Make sure your oil is hot enough when pan-frying—test by adding a few breadcrumbs; they should sizzle immediately.

How to Serve

Serve these crispy lasagna frittas hot from the air fryer or pan, arranged on a platter with small bowls of warm marinara and Alfredo sauce for dipping. For a restaurant-style presentation, sprinkle the platter with chopped fresh parsley and offer a small bowl of grated Parmesan on the side. These make an impressive appetizer for dinner parties, a fun weekend lunch, or even as part of an Italian-themed buffet alongside other finger foods like bruschetta and mozzarella sticks.

For a complete meal, serve them alongside a simple green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheese and fried exterior. They also pair beautifully with a light soup like minestrone for a satisfying lunch combination.

Make Ahead

This recipe is perfect for make-ahead preparation. You can assemble the cheese-filled rolls and freeze them for up to one month before breading. Simply place the prepared rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment between layers to prevent sticking.

When ready to cook, you can bread the frozen rolls directly—no need to thaw—and proceed with either cooking method. If cooking from a deeper freeze (longer than the initial 1-2 hours), you may need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.

You can also bread the rolls in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and cover loosely with plastic wrap until ready to cook.

FAQs

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

No, traditional lasagna noodles that require boiling work best for this recipe. No-boil noodles have a different texture and won’t roll properly without breaking. The traditional noodles give you that authentic restaurant-quality result.

What can I substitute if I don’t have all five cheeses?

While the blend of cheeses creates the authentic Olive Garden flavor, you can simplify with what you have available. At minimum, use ricotta for the base and Parmesan for flavor. Mozzarella can replace Asiago in a pinch, and Romano can be substituted with more Parmesan.

Can these be baked instead of air-fried or pan-fried?

Yes! While they won’t be quite as crispy, you can bake these in a preheated 425°F oven. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake for approximately 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and heated through.

How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?

The oil is ready when it shimmers slightly and a few breadcrumbs sizzle immediately when added to the pan. If using a thermometer, aim for around 350°F. If the oil is smoking, it’s too hot and should be removed from the heat briefly to cool down.

Conclusion

These Air Fryer Lasagna Frittas bring a taste of Olive Garden’s famous appetizer right to your home kitchen, with the added benefit of being lighter when prepared in the air fryer. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the creamy, cheesy interior creates an irresistible bite that’s sure to impress family and friends alike. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner, this copycat recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with straightforward preparation. Give them a try and watch them disappear from the serving platter in minutes!

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