A simple guide to how to fry gnocchi, to make light and fluffy dumplings with crispy edges. They’re so much better than boiled!
If you’ve only ever had boiled gnocchi, you must learn how to fry gnocchi. It ends up like an entirely different food! No more dense, stodgy dumplings – fried gnocchi is crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy in the middle. Plus it’s really easy to do!
Gnocchi are little dumplings made from mashed potato, with a bit of flour added to hold it together. As you might expect, gnocchi don’t have a huge amount of flavour on their own, so just like pasta, they’re perfect for serving in a tasty sauce.
How to prepare gnocchi. Poach gnocchi in batches in a pan of lightly salted water for 2-4 minutes. Cooked gnocchi will float to the top. Strain and serve immediately with a good pasta sauce.
Boiled vs fried gnocchi
I always used to find gnocchi a bit disappointing – I never order it at a restaurant because I find it’s usually been boiled, which I don’t particularly enjoy. But then I discovered that it’s so much better when it’s fried / sautéed!
Perhaps I’m just a gnocchi snob, but the difference between boiled gnocchi and sautéed gnocchi is pretty amazing. Boiled gnocchi can be a bit stodgy, a bit slimy, a bit heavy… fried gnocchi is perfectly crispy and fluffy and light and toasty and all sorts of other lovely adjectives.
Do you need to pre-boil the gnocchi?
The cooking instructions on the packet actually say you should boil the gnocchi, but I always ignore this like the rebel I am, and just skip straight to sautéing the gnocchi in a frying pan.
It does take a little longer (15ish minutes to fry, compared to just a couple of minutes to boil), but believe me, the extra time is well worth it.
Gnocchi | Basics with Babish
FAQ
Is gnocchi supposed to be soft or crunchy?
Is it better to boil or fry gnocchi?
How do you cook pre packaged gnocchi?
Is cooked gnocchi supposed to be doughy?
How do you cook gnocchi in a frying pan?
Gently heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until the butter has melted. Add the gnocchi. Don’t overcrowd the pan – you want the gnocchi to be spread out in a single layer across the bottom of the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring every few minutes, until crisped up to your liking (around 10-15 minutes).
How do you make homemade gnocchi?
Cut the ropes into small pieces, each about 1 inch long. To give the gnocchi their signature shape, roll each piece over the back of a fork, pressing down gently with your thumb. Place the gnocchi on a floured surface and let them dry for about 30 minutes before cooking. That’s it! You now have homemade gnocchi dough ready to cook.
How long to cook gnocchi?
It is important to use a large pot of salted water, as this will help to prevent the gnocchi from sticking together. The gnocchi should be cooked until they float to the surface, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. In summary, to make gnocchi, you will need potatoes, flour, egg, salt, butter, Parmesan cheese, and water.
Can you make gnocchi with a board?
Do the same if you are using a gnocchi board. Be sure to flour the board before beginning. Continue to cut off pieces of dough and repeat until all the dough is used. Gently place the rolled gnocchi on a counter or tray that’s lightly dusted with flour, or even better, a fine semolina.