My favorite appetizer starts with a bag of frozen ravioli and an air fryer, and my guests always love it

Meredith SchneiderMar 15, 2024, 22:21 IST

Frozen ravioli is a popular appetizer in St. Louis. Meredith Schneider

When I host, I always provide snacks, so I like having easy options on hand.
One of my favorite appetizers requires little more than a bag of frozen ravioli.

Toasted ravioli that's breaded and fried is a St. Louis delicacy, and I crave it multiple times a year.

I found that I could make a variety of flavors at home with a bag of frozen ravioli, so I tend to keep my freezer stocked.

The simple air-fryer toasted-rav hack I've perfected over the years makes a crunchy appetizer in minutes that's perfect for game days, picnics, holidays, potlucks, and more.

Here's how I make it.

You can use any flavor of ravioli.

Standard flavors like beef and cheese are still delicious. Meredith Schneider

Traditional St. Louis-style toasted rav is usually made with beef ravioli, but I happened to have a bag of Priano cheese ravioli on hand this time.

I can usually find a good bag of beef or cheese ravioli in the freezer aisle year-round, but when they're available, lobster, shrimp and crab, and pear and prosciutto are also incredible.

Traditional St. Louis-style toasted rav is usually made with beef ravioli, but I happened to have a bag of Priano cheese ravioli on hand this time.

I can usually find a good bag of beef or cheese ravioli in the freezer aisle year-round, but when they're available, lobster, shrimp and crab, and pear and prosciutto are also incredible.

The rest of the ingredients are fairly standard kitchen staples.

I made my own buttermilk substitution with vinegar and skim milk. Meredith Schneider

Aside from 12 pieces of frozen ravioli, my recipe calls for ½ cup bread crumbs of your choice (I use Italian), ½ cup buttermilk, and a can of sprayable oil.

I didn't have any buttermilk, so I substituted by pouring ½ tablespoon of white vinegar into a measuring cup and adding skim milk until the mixture reached ½ cup.

The only other thing you'll need is a marinara or dipping sauce of your choosing for serving.

Aside from 12 pieces of frozen ravioli, my recipe calls for ½ cup bread crumbs of your choice (I use Italian), ½ cup buttermilk, and a can of sprayable oil.

I didn't have any buttermilk, so I substituted by pouring ½ tablespoon of white vinegar into a measuring cup and adding skim milk until the mixture reached ½ cup.

The only other thing you'll need is a marinara or dipping sauce of your choosing for serving.

The only real prep work is breading the ravioli.

I like to create an assembly line on my counter for dredging the frozen ravioli. Meredith Schneider

To bread the dish, dip each piece of frozen ravioli in the buttermilk and swiftly transfer it to a small bowl with the bread crumbs, making sure to evenly cover the exterior.

I usually set the coated pieces in a clean bowl next to my bread crumbs as I finish the rest.

To bread the dish, dip each piece of frozen ravioli in the buttermilk and swiftly transfer it to a small bowl with the bread crumbs, making sure to evenly cover the exterior.

I usually set the coated pieces in a clean bowl next to my bread crumbs as I finish the rest.

The air fryer makes the frying process incredibly easy.

I love using my air fryer for crispy, toasted ravioli. Meredith Schneider

Once each piece is breaded, place them in a single layer across the bottom of an air-fryer basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may have to work in batches.

I typically use a silicone mat or spray oil on the bottom of the basket to reduce the chances of sticking.

Air-fry the ravioli at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes before removing the basket, giving everything a shake, and lightly spraying the tops of the ravioli with oil.

Return the basket to the air fryer for another four minutes until the ravioli is crispy and browned.

Once each piece is breaded, place them in a single layer across the bottom of an air-fryer basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may have to work in batches.

I typically use a silicone mat or spray oil on the bottom of the basket to reduce the chances of sticking.

Air-fry the ravioli at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes before removing the basket, giving everything a shake, and lightly spraying the tops of the ravioli with oil.

Return the basket to the air fryer for another four minutes until the ravioli is crispy and browned.

The delicious appetizer is quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing.

My air-fried toasted ravioli is ready in 15 minutes and tastes delicious. Meredith Schneider

Once the air fryer is done and off, remove the basket and set it on a safe, heat-protected surface. Use tongs or a spatula to remove the toasted ravioli.

While the ravioli cools (you don't want to burn the roof of your mouth, no matter how good they smell), pour your preferred dipping sauce into a small bowl for serving.

The recipe is delicious and ready in under 15 minutes, but it's an absolute crowd-pleaser. Plus, the ingredients are all relatively cheap.

If you're looking for a similar snack, I've also used the same air-frying method with bow-tie pasta for snappy, chip-like bites.