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This Crispy Greek Pasta Salad takes everything we love about a classic Greek pasta salad—crisp vegetables, salty feta, briny olives, and a tangy homemade dressing—and adds crispy air-fried pasta for the most incredible crunch. I’m absolutely obsessed! It’s fresh, flavorful, and honestly one of the best pasta salads I’ve made in a long time.
If you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, you’ve probably seen the viral crispy pasta salad trend taking over. And while I love trying a viral recipe, I wanted to make a version I’d actually crave again and again so I used our popular Greek pasta salad as a starting point.
The first time I made it, I couldn’t stop sneaking bites straight from the bowl. The crispy pasta completely changes the texture and somehow makes an already great pasta salad even better.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Greek Pasta Salad
- The perfect mix of crunchy and creamy
- Inspired by the viral crispy pasta trend
- Packed with fresh Greek flavors
- Easy air fryer recipe
- Great for summer gatherings
- Perfect side dish for grilling season
- Make-ahead friendly
- Loaded with vegetables
- A fun twist on classic Greek pasta salad
- Better than traditional pasta salad
Ingredients You’ll Need
This crispy Greek pasta salad uses many of the same ingredients as our traditional Greek pasta salad, but with one game-changing addition: crispy air-fried pasta. The combination of fresh vegetables, tangy dressing, salty feta, and crunchy pasta creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
For the Greek Dressing:
- Olive Oil: Creates a rich, flavorful base for the dressing.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Adds the classic tangy Greek flavor.
- Garlic: Brings bold savory flavor.
- Tzatziki: Makes the dressing creamy while adding fresh cucumber and herb flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Brightens every bite.
- Dried Oregano: A classic Greek seasoning.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Enhances all the flavors.
For the Pasta Salad:
- Rotini Pasta: The spirals hold onto the dressing while crisping beautifully in the air fryer.
- Pesto: Adds fresh herb flavor and helps the pasta crisp up.
- Parmesan Cheese: Creates extra savory flavor and helps develop crispy edges.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps the pasta brown and crisp.
- English Cucumber: Adds cool, refreshing crunch.
- Red Bell Pepper: Brings sweetness and color.
- Red Onion: Adds sharpness and bite.
- Grape Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet.
- Feta Cheese: Salty, creamy, and essential for Greek pasta salad.
- Kalamata Olives: Add a briny, savory finish.
How to Make Crispy Greek Pasta Salad
This crispy viral pasta salad comes together in just a few simple steps. The crispy air-fried pasta adds an irresistible crunch that takes a classic Greek pasta salad to a whole new level.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, tzatziki, lemon zest and juice, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Cook and Crisp the Pasta: Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with the pesto, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking occasionally, until golden and crispy.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the crispy pasta, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, feta, and olives.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle with the dressing, toss gently to combine, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pasta Salad
- Don’t overcook the pasta before air frying.
- Spread the pasta in an even layer. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can cause the pasta to steam instead of crisp.
- Shake the air fryer basket several times while cooking.
- Let the pasta cool slightly before assembling.
- Toss the salad right before serving for maximum crunch.
- Taste and salt again before serving—the feta and olives can vary greatly in saltiness.
- If making ahead, store the crispy pasta separately and combine just before serving.
What to Serve with Crispy Greek Pasta Salad
This is one of my favorite recipes for lunch lately, but we usually eat as a side dish alongside one of these tasty mains:
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The pasta will soften as it sits, but the flavors are still delicious. For the best texture, keep the crispy pasta separate and combine just before serving.
Crispy Pasta Salad FAQs
It is a viral trend where cooked pasta is air fried or baked until crispy, then tossed with fresh salad ingredients and dressing.
Yes! Spread the pasta on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F until golden and crispy, tossing a couple of times.
It stays crispiest for the first few hours. For best results, assemble just before serving.
Yes. Prepare all the components ahead, but store the crispy pasta separately until ready to serve.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if crispy pasta salad was going to live up to all the hype. One bite in and I was completely sold. The crispy pasta adds so much crunch and texture, and paired with all the fresh Greek flavors, it’s the kind of recipe you keep sneaking bites of straight from the bowl. If you’re looking for a new pasta salad to bring to summer BBQs and potlucks, this crispy Greek pasta salad is the one I’d make.
More Pasta Salads to Try…
Watch How This Crispy Greek Pasta Salad is Made…
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