Description
Crispy Baked Tortellini Bites are a delightful appetizer featuring refrigerated tortellini coated in an Italian seasoned breadcrumb mixture, baked to golden perfection. Served with marinara sauce for dipping and garnished with fresh basil and parmesan, these bites offer a crispy, cheesy treat perfect for parties or snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20 ounce) package refrigerated tortellini (about 5 cups total)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (not panko)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (not shredded)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Cooking spray (olive oil recommended)
- ½ cup marinara sauce, for dipping
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnishing
- Extra grated parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack on top and spray thoroughly with olive oil cooking spray. This setup ensures even crisping of the tortellini while baking.
- Prepare egg wash: In a shallow dish, whisk 2 large eggs with 2 tablespoons of water until fully combined to create an egg wash that helps the bread crumbs adhere to the tortellini.
- Mix bread crumb coating: In another shallow dish, combine 1 cup of Italian seasoned bread crumbs, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Coat the tortellini: Place a single layer of fresh tortellini in the egg wash dish. Working one piece at a time, turn the tortellini in the egg wash to coat thoroughly and let excess drip off. Then transfer to the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to coat both sides well.
- Arrange on wire rack: Place the coated tortellini in a single layer on the prepared wire rack atop the baking sheet. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil cooking spray to promote a golden, crispy finish.
- Bake the tortellini: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the tortellini are golden brown and crispy on top. Monitor closely towards the end to prevent burning and achieve the perfect texture.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately with ½ cup marinara sauce for dipping. Optionally, garnish with extra grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil for additional flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Use refrigerated tortellini rather than frozen for best results in coating and baking.
- Do not use panko breadcrumbs; Italian seasoned breadcrumbs provide better flavor and texture.
- Spraying the wire rack and tortellini with olive oil helps achieve maximum crispiness.
- Keep an eye on tortellini in the oven towards the end to avoid burning.
- These bites are best served fresh and hot for optimal crisp texture.
- Optional garnishes like fresh basil and extra parmesan can be adjusted to taste.
