About this recipe
I made this recipe after seeing a similar recipe in the New York Times. This pan-fried salad is inspired by the traditional Panzanella, the beloved Tuscan bread salad, but instead of using stale bread, you swap it for pan-fried gnocchi. The result is a delightful combination of crispy, golden gnocchi, and fresh, vibrant vegetables.
This gnocchi salad is perfect for a light lunch, a hearty side dish, or even a main course. The ingredients have bold flavors with different textures that make each bite a dream.
What Is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi are potato dumplings made with flour and eggs; they can also be vegan. They’re super popular in Italian cooking and can be cooked in a bunch of different ways—boiled, baked, or pan-fried, like in this recipe. Gnocchi has a really soft texture that goes great with lots of different sauces and ingredients.
Ingredients
- Gnocchi, for this salad, I use the traditional potato gnocchi.
- Tomatoes: I like cherry tomatoes because of their size and flavor.
- Onion, rinse it with cold water to remove the strong bite. Red onion works well, too.
- Cucumber, I prefer Persian or small English ones.
- Basil.
- Olive oil and red wine vinegar. You could use a simple or the Italian vinaigrette.
How To Fry Gnocchi?
- Heat the Pan: Heat some olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
- Pan-Fry the Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on one side. Flip them and cook for 2-3 minutes until all sides are crispy.
- You could also do this in your air fryer. To pan fry gnocchi in an air fryer, start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly coat the gnocchi with olive oil to help them crisp up. Place the gnocchi in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once the gnocchi turns golden brown and crispy, they will be served.
VAriations
If you wish to make this salad a complete or a heartier meal, add one can of drained and rinsed navy or garbanzo beans.
Panzanella Pan-Fried Gnocchi Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound of gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves torn
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the gnocchi to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on one side. Flip them and cook for 2-3 minutes until all sides are crispy.
- While the gnocchi cools, prepare your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the onion
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to combine.Add the pan-fried gnocchi and the torn basil leaves.
Notes
- Look for fresh or vacuum-sealed gnocchi for the best results.
- Rinse the sliced onion under cold water to remove the strong bite.
- Use Italian vinaigrette or a once-a-week simple vinaigrette instead of the oil and red wine vinegar if you wish.
- This salad is best when served immidiately.
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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