Description
This quick and easy 20 Minute Pan Fried Gnocchi recipe yields crispy, golden gnocchi with a flavorful buttery garlic coating, perfect as a main or side dish. It requires no boiling prior to frying, making it an ideal weeknight meal with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Gnocchi
- 1 lb shelf-stable gnocchi
Butter and Seasonings
- 5-6 tablespoons butter, separated
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Cheese and Herbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Chopped parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter and cook garlic: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a 10-inch skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until lightly browned.
- Fry the gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the pan and cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes to promote even browning. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Check for crispness: Continue frying until gnocchi are golden and crisp on all sides. For more crunch, fry longer; for softer gnocchi, reduce frying time accordingly.
- Add butter and seasonings: Turn heat to low, add remaining butter, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, cracked pepper, and sea salt. Toss well to coat and melt the butter evenly.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese, and let sit for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Skipping boiling makes for quicker preparation; if softer gnocchi is preferred, boil beforehand and fry for only 3-5 minutes until browned.
- Use a 10-inch skillet for even cooking; avoid overcrowding for best crispiness.
- Adjust frying time based on desired level of crispness.
- This recipe serves 2-3 as a main dish or 4 as a side.
- Maintain medium heat to prevent burning while achieving a crispy exterior.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 130g)
- Calories: 338 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 743mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 42mg
