Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake

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Hello, cozy food lovers! Are you craving the ultimate comfort food that’s both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to whip up? Look no further than this Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake. Imagine tender, pillowy gnocchi and sweet, roasted pumpkin cubes, all smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crunchy pecans and crispy sage. It’s a hug in a bowl that comes together with minimal fuss and maximum flavor, all thanks to your trusty air fryer. This one-dish wonder is the perfect answer to a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Effortless Elegance with Minimal Cleanup:

This recipe transforms simple, humble ingredients into a dish that looks and tastes gourmet. The best part? You can cook everything in a single air fryer basket or a dish that fits inside it. That means you get to enjoy a spectacular, bubbling bake without a sink full of pots and pans to wash afterward. It’s the ultimate win for anyone who loves impressive meals but hates the cleanup.

A Cozy Symphony of Autumn Flavors:

Every bite is a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy. The roasted pumpkin becomes meltingly soft, the gnocchi turns delightfully chewy, the blue cheese adds a sharp, tangy kick, and the pecans provide a wonderful nutty crunch. Finished with aromatic, crispy sage leaves, this bake is a true celebration of fall flavors that will warm you from the inside out.

Incredibly Quick and Adaptable:

From prep to plate, this dish is ready in well under 30 minutes, making it faster than ordering takeout. The air fryer works its magic by cooking everything quickly and evenly, giving you a perfectly cooked meal in record time. Plus, it’s wonderfully adaptable—swap the cheeses, nuts, or herbs based on what you have in your fridge, and you’ll still end up with a fantastic meal.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake

Variations

Make it Vegan:

This bake can easily be made vegan! Use vegan gnocchi (check the package, as some brands contain egg), substitute the blue cheese with a vegan feta or creamy cashew cheese, swap the dairy cream for a plant-based single cream, and use a vegan melty cheese alternative for the top.

Add a Protein Boost:

For a more substantial meal, add a source of protein. Stir in a cup of shredded cooked chicken, turkey, or crispy chickpeas when you add the gnocchi. Pre-cooked sausage slices or pancetta would also be delicious additions.

Nut-Free and Herb Swaps:

If you have a nut allergy, simply omit the pecans or replace them with pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch. If sage isn’t your favorite, fresh thyme sprigs or rosemary would work beautifully and provide a different but equally wonderful aromatic flavor.

How to Prepare Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake

Step 1:

Begin by preparing your pumpkin. Peel it and carefully dice it into small, bite-sized cubes, roughly 2cm wide. This ensures they cook through quickly and evenly alongside the gnocchi.

Step 2:

Place the diced pumpkin into your air fryer basket or an oven-safe dish that fits inside your air fryer. Add 100ml of the vegetable stock, a pinch of salt, and a crack of black pepper. Toss everything together to coat. Air fry at 170°C for 15 minutes. The pumpkin should be starting to soften but still have a little resistance when pierced with a knife.

Step 3:

Pour the remaining 300ml of vegetable stock into the basket with the part-cooked pumpkin. Now, gently nestle the uncooked gnocchi around and between the pumpkin chunks, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.

Step 4:

Crumble your chosen blue cheese or soft goat’s cheese evenly over the top of the pumpkin and gnocchi. Then, pour the 1/4 cup of single cream over everything. Give the mixture a very gentle stir to combine the ingredients slightly without mashing the pumpkin.

Step 5:

Increase the air fryer temperature to 220°C (430°F) and cook for 12 minutes. The gnocchi will become tender, the pumpkin will finish cooking, and the sauce will become hot, creamy, and bubbling.

Step 6:

Carefully remove the basket. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese and the pecans evenly over the top of the bake. Return it to the air fryer and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and gooey.

Step 7:

While the cheese is melting, toss the fresh sage leaves in a very small drizzle of oil in a bowl until they are lightly coated. Once the cheese has melted, scatter the oiled sage leaves over the top. Air fry for one final minute until the sage is wonderfully crisp and fragrant. Serve immediately!

Tips and Tricks

Choose the Right Baking Dish:

If your air fryer basket has large holes, using a compatible baking dish (like a round cake pan or small casserole dish) is highly recommended. This prevents the creamy sauce from dripping through and makes serving much easier.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pumpkin:

When dicing the pumpkin, ensure the pieces are no larger than 2cm. Larger chunks won’t cook through in the initial 15-minute roasting time, leaving you with undercooked pumpkin in your final dish.

Check Your Gnocchi Type:

Most store-bought gnocchi are designed to be cooked from frozen or fresh directly in sauce. There’s no need to pre-boil them! They will cook perfectly in the air fryer, absorbing the flavors of the stock and cream as they soften.

How to Serve

As a Standalone Star:

This bake is a complete meal in itself! Simply scoop it directly from the air fryer basket into deep bowls. The combination of carbs, vegetables, and protein from the cheese and nuts makes it incredibly satisfying on its own.

With a Simple Green Salad:

For a perfect textural and temperature contrast, serve a portion of the warm, rich gnocchi bake alongside a crisp, fresh green salad. A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette works wonders to cut through the creaminess.

Alongside Crusty Bread:

You won’t want to waste a single drop of the delicious creamy sauce. Serving this dish with some slices of warm, crusty bread or breadsticks is ideal for mopping up every last bit from your bowl.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Store Leftovers in the Fridge:

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave, adding a small splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce, or back in the air fryer at 180°C until hot through.

Not Ideal for Freezing:

We do not recommend freezing this bake. Gnocchi and creamy sauces can become grainy and separate upon thawing and reheating, resulting in a less-than-ideal texture. It is best enjoyed fresh.

Prep the Pumpkin in Advance:

To save time on a busy night, you can peel and dice the pumpkin up to two days in advance. Store the cubes in an airtight container or sealed bag in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

FAQ

I truly hope this Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake becomes a new favorite in your home. It’s the kind of simple, soul-warming food that brings everyone to the table with a smile. Happy cooking!

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