Save to Pinterest My sister texted me last December asking for something "dangerously addictive" to bring to her office party, and I was halfway through a bag of cinnamon toast cereal when inspiration struck: what if I made that same sweet-salty magic with pasta? The first batch came out golden and crispy, and she called me three days later saying people were still asking for the recipe. I've made it at least a dozen times since, always in that chaotic Christmas rush when everyone needs something festive and foolproof.
I served this at a potluck last January and watched a guy eat half the bowl while telling everyone it wasn't a real recipe—just pasta and cinnamon sugar. By the time I left, the bowl was empty and three people had taken photos for their phones. That's when I realized this wasn't fancy cooking, it was just something people genuinely wanted to eat.
Ingredients
- Bowtie (farfalle) pasta, 250 g: The shape matters here—those little knots catch the cinnamon sugar and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, way better than straight spaghetti would.
- Vegetable oil, 2 tbsp: Just enough to coat and help everything turn golden, making sure the pasta gets crispy rather than chewy.
- Granulated sugar, 60 g: The backbone of the coating, keeping everything light and sweet without any graininess.
- Ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp: The star ingredient that makes people ask what that smell is—don't skip it or hold back.
- Kosher salt, 1/2 tsp: Salt is the secret weapon that stops this from tasting one-note sweet and gives it that addictive edge.
- Melted unsalted butter, 2 tbsp: Applied while everything's hot so it clings to the pasta instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
Instructions
- Boil and drain the pasta:
- Cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water for 7–8 minutes until just al dente—still with a tiny bit of resistance when you bite it. Drain it thoroughly and pat it completely dry with paper towels; any moisture left behind will make it chewy instead of crispy.
- Coat with oil:
- While the pasta's still warm, toss it with vegetable oil until every piece glistens. This step is what transforms it from ordinary pasta into something that'll crisp up beautifully.
- Heat the air fryer:
- Preheat to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes so the basket is properly hot when you add the pasta.
- Crisp in batches:
- Spread the pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through. You'll hear it getting crunchy and smell that nutty pasta aroma—that's when you know it's working.
- Mix your cinnamon sugar while it fries:
- Combine sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a wide bowl so it's ready the moment the pasta comes out hot.
- Toss with butter immediately:
- Remove the hot crispy pasta from the air fryer, put it in a large bowl, and drizzle with melted butter right away. The heat helps the butter coat everything evenly.
- Coat with cinnamon sugar:
- Add the cinnamon sugar mix while the pasta is still warm and toss until every single piece is coated. The warmth helps the coating stick instead of sliding off.
- Cool completely before eating:
- Spread it out on a clean surface or leave it in the bowl to cool completely, which brings out maximum crunch and keeps the coating from getting sticky.
Save to Pinterest My neighbor's kid asked for this by name at their birthday party this year, and something about being requested by a four-year-old made me realize I'd created something that genuinely bridges the gap between "fancy cooking" and pure joy. That's when food feels right.
Why This Works as a Party Snack
Most party food either requires last-minute stress or tastes like you didn't try hard enough. This sits in the sweet spot where it looks intentional, tastes indulgent, and can be made hours ahead without losing its appeal. People grab handfuls, it travels well in a container, and it honestly tastes better at room temperature than it does piping hot, which is the opposite of what you'd expect.
Customizing Your Batch
The base recipe is almost foolproof, but there's room to play around once you've made it once. A pinch of cayenne brings a subtle heat that sneaks up on you, while nutmeg makes it taste more like a fall dessert than a holiday snack. I've also swapped in penne or rotini pasta and gotten great results, though the bowtie shape really does catch the coating better and looks more festive on a table.
Storage and Serving Ideas
This keeps beautifully in an airtight container for up to three days, making it perfect for prep-ahead hosting or packaging as a homemade gift if you're feeling generous. Serve it warm or at room temperature, use it as a conversation starter at parties, or grab a handful while you're working from home and need something sweet and crunchy that won't leave your keyboard sticky.
- Make it a day or two ahead and store in an airtight container to let flavors deepen.
- If it loses crunch after a day, spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in a 160°C oven for 3-4 minutes to revive it.
- Package it in cute jars or bags as edible gifts that people actually get excited about.
Save to Pinterest This recipe exists because I got bored and a bit desperate one December, and somehow that accident became something people ask for by name. That's the best kind of cooking—the kind that surprises you with its own simplicity.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of pasta works best?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is ideal due to its shape, which crisps evenly in the air fryer and holds the cinnamon sugar coating well.
- → How do I achieve maximum crispiness?
Ensure pasta is thoroughly dried after boiling and toss with vegetable oil before air frying. Fry at 200°C (400°F), shaking halfway to crisp evenly.
- → Can I adjust the sweetness or spice level?
Yes, add a pinch of cayenne or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mix for extra warmth or customize sugar amount to taste.
- → What is the best way to store this snack?
Once completely cooled, store the snack in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to three days.
- → Is this suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this snack is vegetarian-friendly, using butter and no animal-based meat ingredients.
- → Can other pasta shapes be used?
Yes, penne or rotini can substitute bowtie pasta, but cooking and drying times may vary to ensure proper crisping.