Crispy Garlic Gnocchi
This Crispy Garlic Gnocchi is an easy dish ready in under 10 minutes! Gnocchi is sautéed in olive oil with freshly minced garlic until it is perfectly crisp then tossed with basil and parmesan!
Growing up while my Mom was cooking, my sister would seek into the kitchen and steal little pieces of dough while my Mom wasn’t looking. Any kind of dough, she loved it.
I am so the opposite. I just can’t eat uncooked dough (other than cookie dough…but who doesn’t love cookie dough?). Her love of all things doughy didn’t fade. To this day she will still order Chicken and Dumplings with a side of dumplings at Cracker Barrel.
To me, it’s crazy. I need texture! Crispy, crunchy, anything…just as long as it has some texture to it. So of course, you can guess which of us loves gnocchi!
Not only is this dish delicious, it’s super simple and quick. It’s super convenient for a weeknight–Make this Air Fryer Broccoli or a quick salad and have a well-rounded dinner ready within 15 minutes!
What is Gnocchi?
If you have never had gnocchi before it is basically just little balls of potato based dough. It never really peaked my interest until I noticed a gluten free gnocchi at the grocery and I picked it up one day on a whim.
Depending on how you cook it, it might be like a tater tot (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside) or like a dumpling (soft and doughy all the way through).
How to cook gnocchi:
It is super simple to prepare, but there are different methods you can try depending on your preferences. If you like the soft, doughy texture, just boil it for 2 minutes or until it floats to the top. Then you can toss it with whatever sauce or toppings you like!
If you prefer a crispy exterior, boil it for 2 minutes, then pan-sear it in a bit of olive oil until it’s nice and crispy. This is AMAZING with brown butter sauce!
This Crispy Garlic Gnocchi uses the pan-searing method and has become a new favorite around here! You just need a couple things: some cooked gnocchi, olive oil, freshly minced garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parmesan and basil.
Ingredients for Garlic Gnocchi:
- Gluten free gnocchi (boil according to package directions)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan
- Basil
How do you make Crispy Garlic Gnocchi with Olive Oil?
After you boil your gnocchi, you want to heat a large skillet to medium heat and add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Make sure you have enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
When the oil is hot, add a few cloves of minced garlic and stir. Then add the gnocchi in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic powder.
You want the gnocchi to get nice and crispy, but you do not want it to stick to the pan, so stir it occasionally, making sure it toasts evenly. When the gnocchi has reached your desired crispness, remove it from the pan and sprinkle with fresh parmesan and basil. Voila! That is it!
Can I make gnocchi ahead of time?
Yes and no. If you want to boil the gnocchi 1-2 days ahead of time so that the dinner comes together super quickly, you can do that and store the gnocchi in a closed container in the fridge. However, if you sear the gnocchi ahead of time, it’s likely to lose its nice, crispy texture. It’ll still taste great (and I still love the leftovers for lunch), but you do lose that great exterior.
Unfortunately, freezing cooked gnocchi doesn’t work well either. As it thaws, it becomes very mushy and can sort of disintegrate into your sauce. I recommend only refrigerating gnocchi once it is cooked.
How should I store and reheat gnocchi?
If you have leftovers, store these in an air-tight container in the fridge. This should keep for 2-3 days. To reheat, you can microwave these or pan-sear them.
If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals until gnocchi is warmed throughout. You’ll lose some of the crispy texture this way, but it’s the quickest way to reheat.
If you want to keep the crispy texture, throw your leftover gnocchi into a medium-hot pan with a touch more olive oil. Cover and shake the pan occasionally until gnocchi is warmed throughout.
More Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas:
- Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce (would be amazing with a side of garlic gnocchi!)
- The Best Keto Crab Cakes
- Keto Pepperoni Pizza Bites
- Grilled Salmon Kabobs with Greek Marinade
- One Pan Pork Chops with Cream Sauce
- Keto Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Hot Pocket
Get the Recipe: Crispy Garlic Gnocchi
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat and make sure you have enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
- When the oil is hot add a few cloves of minced garlic and stir, add the gnocchi in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic powder.
- You want the gnocchi to get nice and crispy and you do not want it to stick to the pan so stir it occasionally making sure it toasts evenly.
- When the gnocchi has reached your desired crispness remove it from the pan and sprinkle with fresh parmesan and basil.
This gnocchi looks incredible! I have some sitting in my pantry and I’ve been wondering what to do with it- you’ve solved my problem 🙂 Pinning!
Crispy, garlic, and gnocchi are three of my favorite words 😀 and together in one recipe title? I’m swooning! I’ve got to make these for dinner soon. This is such a delicious meal!
Crispy gnocchi is the best! And when garlic is involved…I’m in heaven! Sounds like such a delicious comfort dish, Annie! Love all of the flavors in here!
This looks SO delicious, Annie! I love crispy gnocchi and pairing it with the yummy salad kits make this the perfect meal! So easy for busy weeknights too!
Haha, I like all kinds of dough-based treats but rarely eat it raw! Even cookie dough! LOVE this crispy gnocchi — the perfect complement to those gorgeous salads!
This is the ultimate in comfort! I can imagine that crispy deliciousness from the first bite to the last! YUM!
I loooooove crispy gnocchi!!! It is seriously the best. And i’m with you, raw dough is gross (cookie dough exception, of course.) There is nothing worse than biting into a cinnamon roll that’s not quite done in the middle. Great idea pairing gnocchi with a prepared salad!
I love gnocchi, and eating it crispy is my favorite! I love the addition of the garlic and basil, and those Eat Smart Salad kits are truly delicious!
So I totally am guilty of ordering chicken and dumplings with extra dumplings at Cracker Barrel. It’s one of my favorite things! I’ve actually never tried gnocchi before, but I feel like I need to pick some up. This looks seriously delicious!
I’m with you– raw dough doesn’t sound too great unless it’s packed full of chocolate chips! 😉 But these gnocchi…. these look to die for!! Can’t go wrong with those delish little bites!
I hardly ever think to cook gnocchi, but this recipe is making me want to have some right now!
Those salad kits look so good! Can’t wait to try them. 🙂
I love gnocchi so this is right up my street. Ideal for a midweek meal.
I’ve never made gnocchi before. It intimidates me for some reason. But this crispy garlic versions sounds good enough to try!
Psst… I ate a full circle of pie dough last night, Annie Poo. I regret nothing! But I also will be making this.
hahahah! You are crazy! But yes, make this! It is so good!