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Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat) Recipe

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4.1 from 25 reviews

This Olive Garden copycat recipe for Air Fryer Lasagna Fritta offers a crispy, cheesy twist on traditional lasagna. Rolled lasagna noodles stuffed with five types of cheese and Italian seasoning are coated in a golden breadcrumb batter, then air fried to perfection for a crunchy exterior and melty interior. Served with marinara and Alfredo sauces, this appetizer-style lasagna brings restaurant-quality flavor made easy at home.

Ingredients

Lasagna

  • 10 ounces Lasagna Noodles (about 10 noodles)
  • 15 ounces 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 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
  • 2 Large Eggs

Batter

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

Cooking

  • Olive Oil Spray (for air fryer basket and spraying)
  • Canola Oil (for pan-frying, optional)

Sauces

  • Homemade Alfredo Sauce (optional; great for using leftover Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese)
  • Jar of Marinara Sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Lasagna Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain them in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool for handling. Trim any ribbon edges off the noodles if present.
  2. Mix Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine 2 large eggs with all five kinds of grated cheese (ricotta, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and mozzarella) and the Italian seasoning. Mix until well incorporated.
  3. Assemble Lasagna Rolls: Lay the lasagna noodles flat and spread the cheese mixture evenly over the top of each noodle. Carefully roll each noodle into approximately 2-3 inch lengths to form individual lasagna fritta pieces.
  4. Freeze Rolls: Place the rolled noodles in a container lined with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Freeze them for 1 to 2 hours until firm enough to handle for breading.
  5. Prepare Batter: In a shallow dish, scramble 2 eggs. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1 ½ cups Italian bread crumbs or panko with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Microwave this mixture for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the bread crumbs become golden brown. Let cool, then stir in ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese.
  6. Bread the Lasagna Rolls: Dip each frozen lasagna roll first into the beaten eggs, then coat it thoroughly with the bread crumb mixture. Shake off excess coating between each step to ensure an even layer.
  7. Air Fry the Lasagna Fritta: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray. Place the breaded lasagna fritta in the basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, then carefully flip each piece, spraying with a little more oil if needed. Continue cooking for another 6–8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
  8. Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve warm with marinara sauce and/or homemade Alfredo sauce for dipping.
  9. Optional Pan-Fry Method: Heat canola oil in a pan over medium-high heat. When hot, carefully place the breaded lasagna fritta in the pan. Fry for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving with sauces.

Notes

  • Freezing the rolled noodles before breading helps maintain their shape while frying or air frying.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
  • If the bread crumbs look dry during air frying, lightly spray the lasagna fritta with oil to keep them crispy and prevent burning.
  • This recipe can be prepared in advance through the freezing step, making it convenient for entertaining.
  • You can substitute Italian bread crumbs with panko for extra crunch.
  • Both air frying and pan frying methods produce crispy results; air frying is a healthier option.
  • Leftover Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese can be added to Alfredo sauce for enhanced flavor.