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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Easy Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta {Olive Garden Copycat}

    Easy Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta {Olive Garden Copycat}

    January 4, 2020 by Tiffany 26 Comments

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    This is an Olive Garden copycat recipe for air fryer five-cheese lasagna fritta. It’s fried lasagna filled with creamy ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago cheese spread in between rolled lasagna noodles that are then dipped in batter and fried golden crispy.

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    Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta

    I thought it was going to be difficult to make a copycat version of Olive Garden’s lasagna frittas, but it was actually pretty simple!

    Try out my Air Fryer Olive Garden Chicken Kabobs with chicken marinated in Olive Garden dressing and cooks on skewers with delicious vegetables!

    How to Use an Air Fryer Banner

    What are lasagna frittas?

    In case you’ve never had them, lasagna frittas (or frittata) are fried lasagna. They are filled with cheese, rolled up, battered, and fried until they are golden and crispy.

    It’s so delicious! These are one of my favorite Olive Garden copycat recipes and it also happens to be one of my top recipes on here because they’re just that good!

    This version of lasagna fritta is a tad larger than the appetizer version Olive Garden serves. The noodles you buy from the grocery store are just a wee bit bigger, but I guess that means more lasagna fritta, right? Yum!

    I decided to do this air fryer style because we don’t need to add more grease on top of a carb-loaded appetizer. Although, frying them in oil is still super, super tasty which is why I give both recipes here.

    There are so many yummy Olive Garden copycat recipes out there like five-cheese fonduta dip, zuppa toscana, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and their truly addicting breadsticks.

    Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta

    Ingredients for Air Fryer Five-Cheese Lasagna Fritta

    • Lasagna Noodles
    • Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Romano Cheese
    • Asiago Cheese
    • Mozzarella Cheese
    • Italian Seasoning
    • 4 Large Eggs (for the filling and the batter)
    • Finely Grated Parmesan
    • Italian Bread Crumbs
    • Cooking Oil Spray – for the air fryer cooking version
    • Canola/Vegetable Oil – for the pan-fried version

    Ingredients for Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

    • Butter
    • Grated Parmesan
    • Heavy Cream
    • Garlic Salt
    • Parsley, for topping

    Optional – Try the Alfredo sauce with extra cheese leftover from the lasagna frittas!

    • ½ cup Grated Romano
    • ½ cup Grated Asiago
    Air Fryer Five Cheese Lasagna Fritta

    Is air-fried food healthy?

    Air-fried food is healthier than deep-fat frying foods in oil. The food becomes saturated in oil as it cooks, whereas with an air fryer a minimal amount (typically 1-2 tablespoons) of oil is added to breadcrumbs or the food is lightly brushed with oil or butter.

    How to use an air fryer:

    It’s actually very simple! Once you have it assembled, there is no preheating required at all!

    I always spray my basket with olive oil to avoid any sticking. Place the food on the tray, set the temperature, and time and that’s it.

    The fabulous thing is that the air fryer is very versatile. You can bake a cake in it, fry fish, get french fries nice and crispy, cook bacon, the ideas are limitless!

    Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta

    Can you use Pam nonstick spray in an air fryer?

    It’s best not to. It’s been found that air fryer baskets do not tolerate aerosol spray. It causes the coating to peel off the baskets. To get around it, use a non-aerosol spray bottle of olive oil, or you can rub coconut oil directly on the basket.

    What fries the bread crumbs in an air fryer?

    If you leave the bread crumbs without ANY type of grease or fat it will leave them very dry. The nice thing with an air fryer is that you can cut out the majority of the oil and fat and have a slightly healthier version of cooking than if you deep-fried the food.

    There are two ways to air fry bread crumbs:

    • Spray the breadcrumb coating that is already on your food with cooking spray or oil.
    • Heat a small amount of olive oil with the bread crumbs prior to coating your food with it. Microwave it for 30 seconds at a time until it begins to lightly brown.

    How to Make Air Fryer Five-Cheese Lasagna Fritta

    • It all begins by boiling your noodles according to the box directions until al dente. They need to be soft to handle and roll up.
    • If you are unable to find lasagna without ribbons, it’s best to cut the ribbon edges off. They do not roll well or stay together with the bumpy ribbon edge. Trim each noodle of the ribbon edges with scissors or a knife.
    • Mix together the cheese filling and spoon it evenly onto each lasagna noodle. Roll each noodle. I tend to keep them more of a flat roll-up rather than a round roll-up so they are similar to Olive Garden’s and easier to cook.
    Lasagna Noodles with scissors
    Lasagna noodles with cheese filling
    Lasagna noodles rolled up
    • These are of course larger than Olive Garden’s lasagna frittas, but you can, of course, cut the noodle down to try to aim for their size of the appetizer.

    Air Fryer Method

    • For the air fryer cooking method, it is best to freeze them. They tend to be messy once you begin dipping them in egg wash and bread crumbs.
    • Once they are frozen (in about 1-2 hours) you can immediately start dipping them in the egg wash, and then dip in the bread crumb/Parmesan coating.
    Egg wash in a bowl with a lasagna fritta
    Breadcrumbs in a bowl with a lasagna fritta
    • You still need to add some form of oil/butter to the bread crumbs. I used the method mentioned above – microwaving olive oil with the bread crumbs. But you can also spray them with cooking oil.
    • They are cooked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a total of about 16 minutes, flipping halfway.
    Uncooked breaded
    • To check for doneness, open the air fryer tray and peek in on them to see if they are golden brown.

    Pan-Frying Method

    • For the pan-fried cooking method, you will also need to freeze them.
    • Freezing them for 1-2 hours before they are battered with bread crumbs keeps the cheesy inside the rolled lasagna noodle. It’s also important to freeze them before pan-frying because the cheese will immediately come out in the oil as well.
    Frozen noodles
    • After they are frozen, it is time to batter them. First, dip them in the egg wash, and then dip in the bread crumb/Parmesan cheese coating.
    Pan-Fried
    • For pan-frying, put enough oil in the pan to cover the tops of them like a deep-fry and heat it over medium-high heat. Flip them halfway (2 minutes on each side) for even cooking.
    Alfredo Sauce

    Final Touches for Both Cooking Methods

    For serving, place a layer of marinara sauce onto the plate. Then place the lasagna frittas on top of the sauce and drizzle Alfredo sauce over top.

    There was extra Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago cheese from the lasagna frittas. I put the cheese (about a cup and a half) into the Alfredo sauce. It turned out fantastic and I might need to do that every time now!

    Air Fryer Five Cheese Lasagna Fritta

    Recommended Recipes

    • Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
    • Chicken Parmesan
    • Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Old Chicago’s Italian Nachos (Copycat Recipe)
    • Olive Garden Chicken Kabobs
    • One-Pot Lasagna Soup
    • Toasted Ravioli

    Enjoy!

    Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta

    Air Fryer Five-Cheese Lasagna Fritta

    Air fryer five-cheese lasagna fritta is fried lasagna with creamy ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and asiago cheese spread in between rolled lasagna noodles that are then dipped in batter and fried golden crispy.
    Serve with marinara and/or alfredo sauce.
    4.67 from 92 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes
    Freezing Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 36 minutes
    Servings: 10 Pieces
    Author: Tiffany

    Ingredients

    • 10 oz Lasagna Noodles, About 10 noodles
    • 15 oz Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
    • ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
    • ½ cup Freshly Grated Romano Cheese
    • ½ cup Freshly Grated Asiago Cheese
    • ½ cup Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese
    • 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
    • 2 Large Eggs

    Batter

    • 1 ½ cups Italian Bread Crumbs or Panko
    • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
    • ½ cup Finely Grated Parmesan
    • 2 Large Eggs

    Air Fryer Cooking Method

    • Olive Oil Spray

    Pan-Fried Cooking Method

    • Canola Oil

    Sauces

    • Homemade Alfredo Sauce, If you have leftover Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese it is perfect to throw in this recipe.
    • Jar of Marinara Sauce

    Instructions
     

    Noodle Prep

    • Boil lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, place in a colander and rinse with cold water for handling. If your lasagna noodles have ribbon edges, trim the ribbons off the sides.
    • In a medium-sized bowl mix together egg, all five kinds of cheese, and Italian seasoning.
    • Lay lasagna noodles flat. Spread cheese mixture over top of the noodles. Roll the noodles into about a 2-3" length.
    • Place them in a container lined with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking together and freeze for 1-2 hours.

    Batter

    • Scramble egg in a shallow dish. In a microwave-safe dish, blend 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bread crumbs. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until they begin to turn golden brown. Let cool and add Parmesan cheese.
    • One by one, dip each rolled lasagna in egg, followed by breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess between steps.

    Air Fryer Cooking Method

    • Spray the inside basket of the air fryer with oil and place lasagna frittas in the basket. Lightly spray the top of the lasagna frittas with oil as well.
    • Set air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. If they look dry as they cook, lightly spray with cooking oil. Remove from basket and serve with marinara and/or Alfredo sauce.

    Pan-Fried Cooking Method

    • Heat canola oil in a pan at a medium-high temperature. Carefully place the lasagna frittas in the pan once it is hot. Cook for about 2 minutes, flip, and fry for 2 more minutes until they are golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve with marinara and/or alfredo sauce.

    Recommended Products

    Collapsible Colander
    Chefman 3.6 Quart Air Fryer
    Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL
    Non-Aerosol Oil Sprayer

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    Video

    Notes

    There are 2 options for how to fry breadcrumbs in the air fryer:

  • Spray the breadcrumb coating that is already on your food with cooking spray or oil.
  • Heat a small amount of olive oil with the breadcrumbs prior to coating your food with it. Microwave it for 30 seconds at a time until it begins to lightly brown.
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 365 kcalCarbohydrates: 31 gProtein: 20 gFat: 18 gSaturated Fat: 9 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1 gMonounsaturated Fat: 6 gTrans Fat: 1 gCholesterol: 108 mgSodium: 482 mgPotassium: 190 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 2 gVitamin A: 484 IUVitamin C: 1 mgCalcium: 396 mgIron: 2 mg
    « 32 Easy Make-Ahead Freezer Meals To Make Before Baby Comes
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    Filed Under: Air Fryer Appetizers, Appetizers, New Year's Recipes, Valentine's Day Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Felisha W

      October 31, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a WINNER!! It’s like an elevated take on a mozzarella stick. Make sure to add the extra spices you like to the cheese mix that is being put in the squares. I will be keeping a batch of these ready in the freezer to quickly pull out as an appetizer when having dinner parties. YUM

      Reply
    2. Lisa

      April 29, 2022 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      Really delicious! Thank you for the clear directions. I used my air fryer and am happy that I did as the texture of the breading was perfect and not greasy. I didn’t need to cook for the entire time though, just until they were brown and crispy.

      Reply
    3. Donna

      March 19, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!

      Reply
    4. Marisol

      January 08, 2022 at 1:34 pm

      I’m planning on making these but wanted to know if anyone had tried it with Italian sausage or ground beef? And if so how did it turn out?

      Reply
      • Shawna

        August 13, 2022 at 3:37 pm

        I was just thinking the same thing! I might try some browned ground pork with just enough marinara to keep it moist. I’ll let you know.

        Reply
    5. Emma

      January 03, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      I have a block of parm & asiago. Can I use the “shaker can” cheese? It’s parm & Romano. I couldn’t find a block of Romano. Also, can I use bagged shredded mozzarella? I always get confused between grated and shredded. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        January 03, 2022 at 4:30 pm

        Hi Emma!

        Shaker can grated cheese works great.
        I sometimes use it in this recipe and it works well for the filling and for the parmesan that is added to the breadcrumbs.
        I have also used bagged shredded mozzarella too. Sometimes grating everything takes too long and it’s easier just to get it “pre-shredded”. Whichever works easier, I say go for it!
        Let me know how it turns out!
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    6. Melissa

      December 03, 2021 at 9:45 am

      I am planing to make them the day before my Christmas party ( plan to do the freeze then bread then freeze again as you mentioned in an above comment). Just wondering if I should airfry them frozen or defrost them?

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        December 03, 2021 at 4:37 pm

        Hi Melissa,
        If they’re already breaded, sometimes thawing can cause the breading to get soggy as they defrost. I always take them directly from the freezer and pop them in the air fryer basket.
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    7. Lexi

      December 01, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      These were so good!! I added pesto income of mine, just right on top of the cheese mixture, and it was actually a really good combination!!

      Reply
    8. Taylor

      October 07, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      Can you make them the day before you air fry them and freeze then overnight?

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        October 07, 2021 at 4:15 pm

        Hi Taylor,
        Yes, they can be made the day before and frozen overnight. I often make them the day before we plan to eat them and freeze overnight.
        They can actually be kept uncooked and frozen for up to 3 months (for best quality) before air frying.
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    9. Lynn

      July 15, 2021 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      Lllooovvveeedddd this. I thought why not try it since lasagna is such a time consuming process and I’ve kinda been wanting a lasagna lately anyways. So I tried it and not only I loved it but my husband did. He waited until I left the kitchen to go sneak some lore food before I could pack it away for lunch the best day. Will definitely be making again so good!

      Reply
    10. Mary

      April 04, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      I made this dish last week, delicious! I actually went to Olive Garden and ordered this dish, and your recipe is much better! Thanks!

      Reply
    11. Melissa

      April 02, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      Do you think it’d be possible to bread them and freeze them for baking another time? I’d love to make a batch and keep them in the freezer for snacks.

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        April 03, 2021 at 9:37 am

        Hi Melissa,
        Yes, they’re great for freezing for later! I still recommend freezing them prior to dipping in the batter because they can fall apart and the cheese filling can come out. Then they can be placed back in the freezer after that.
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    12. Camille

      February 17, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      Do I have to freeze them??

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        February 18, 2021 at 12:21 am

        I highly recommend freezing them because the times I have tried breading and frying them unfrozen they were very messy and the cheese did not stay inside them.

        Reply
    13. Sharon

      February 15, 2021 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      Very good! Hubby loved it too. Unfortunately, I forgot to spray the basket for the air fryer and it stuck a little bit but it was still good. I also added some crushed garlic to the cheese mixture. It was a fun recipe to make.

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        February 18, 2021 at 12:25 am

        Hi Sharon,
        I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! The crushed garlic sounds so delicious. Thank you for stopping by.
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    14. Lisa Davis

      February 10, 2021 at 1:34 am

      5 stars
      Wow! Incredible taste and great instructions for the air fryer. The tip on pre-cooking bread crumbs was perfect. I am new to my air fryer, so thank you for this success!

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        February 10, 2021 at 4:46 am

        Lisa,

        I’m so glad you enjoyed the lasagna frittas and it was a success for you. Thank you for coming back to share!

        -Tiffany

        Reply
    15. Lorene

      January 31, 2021 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      Tried these tonight after finding this recipe a week ago. They were so good! My whole family love them. Will definitely add this to my “cook again” list. Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        February 01, 2021 at 12:28 am

        Hi Lorene,
        I’m so glad you and your family liked them!
        Thank you for stopping by!
        -Tiffany

        Reply
    16. KAREN BOTTORFF

      January 22, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      My air fryer only heats to 350. How long should I cook them?

      Reply
      • Tiffany

        January 22, 2021 at 8:04 pm

        Hi Karen,
        I have not personally cooked them at 350 degrees before. I would try starting at the 16 minutes (flipping halfway) and then check them to see how brown they are and go from there. It will take a little longer for the center to get warm at 350.
        Let me know how it goes for you!
        -Tiffany

        Reply

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    About Me

    Welcome, I'm Tiffany! My love for cooking began in the kitchen with my grandmother at the age of 5. Some of the recipes have been passed down to me and others I create as I go. Simply Happenings was created to share quick and delicious meals for your family highlighting air fryer and Instant Pot recipes. Enjoy! Read More…

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