October 24, 2023
Review RecipeFried Ravioli
Table of Contents
You will be hooked on this popular fried ravioli appetizer as soon as you take your first bite. These tender pasta pillows are stuffed with a delicious cheese or meat filling and fried to golden brown perfection.
Fried Ravioli Ingredients
This fried ravioli recipe is a delicious blend of crispy, cheesy, and herby flavors.
The ravioli, coated in buttermilk and Italian herb breadcrumbs, becomes wonderfully crunchy on the outside.
The addition of parmesan cheese adds savory depth, while fresh parsley and marinara sauce provide a refreshing contrast and enhance the overall taste experience.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup of Italian herb breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 4 to 6 cups of vegetable oil or vegetable shortening (for frying)
- 20-ounce package of refrigerated ravioli
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1 cup of marinara sauce (for serving)
PRO TIP:
You can make your own buttermilk using whole or 2% milk and lemon juice or distilled vinegar. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
Substitutions And Additions
RAVIOLI: Any flavor of ravioli will work for this fried ravioli from scratch recipe, including beef or cheese ravioli.
There are so many creative and tasty flavors available stuffed inside ravioli, and they would all be yummy!
BREADCRUMBS: Breadcrumbs with herbs or Italian seasoning work great and combine well with a bit of parmesan cheese mixed in.
If you only have unseasoned breadcrumbs, you can mix in your own seasoning – garlic powder or salt, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, etc.
You can also substitute panko breadcrumbs for plain breadcrumbs to give your ravioli an extra crunch.
BUTTERMILK: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can create a simple substitute by adding one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of regular milk.
Let it sit for about five minutes until it thickens slightly. This DIY buttermilk will work just as well for coating your ravioli, providing that tangy richness.
PARMESAN CHEESE: Feel free to explore other cheeses if you’d like to switch things up.
Asiago or pecorino romano will bring their unique flavors to the dish. You can also try a blend of different cheeses for a more complex taste.
MARINARA SAUCE: While marinara sauce is the classic choice for dipping, you can get creative with alternatives.
Try a spicy arrabbiata sauce for some heat, a creamy Alfredo sauce for richness, or a garlic-infused olive oil for a lighter option.
How To Make This Fried Ravioli Recipe
Let’s get started by coating the ravioli in the breading before frying them until they are cooked and ready to enjoy.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
You can fry these up right away or cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next day.
STEP ONE: Combine buttermilk and one egg in a shallow bowl.
STEP TWO: Combine breadcrumbs and ¼ cup grated parmesan in a second bowl.
STEP THREE: Begin heating the cooking oil in a heavy stockpot or Dutch oven. Heat oil to precisely 350°F. This will take 15 minutes or so.
PRO TIP:
Be sure that you have enough oil so that it is at least 3 to 4 inches deep.
STEP FOUR: While the oil is heating, dip ravioli into the buttermilk and egg mixture, coating on each side.
Move the dipped ravioli into the breadcrumb mixture, again coating on each side.
PRO TIP:
If the temperature of the oil is too cold, they will soak up too much oil; if it’s too hot, they will brown too quickly before the ravioli can cook.
STEP FIVE: Set the coated ravioli aside in a single layer. A rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds lots of ravioli!
STEP SIX: When the oil is heated, add the ravioli, several at a time, and fry the ravioli on both sides.
Once browned, remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer the ravioli to a plate lined with a paper towel or another sheet pan to drain.
PRO TIP:
The ravioli will sink a bit when first added to the hot oil and then will float up to the top. Be sure to flip them over after they brown on one side so that both sides get browned.
STEP SEVEN: Continue frying batches of ravioli until they are all cooked.
STEP EIGHT: Serve hot with homemade marinara sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
How To Serve
These taste a lot like fried mozzarella sticks and are best right out of the fryer. Add warm marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Our perfect fried ravioli would be fun for game day snacks and great party appetizers, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
It’s always fun to make a variety of appetizers to serve, and you can easily add white queso dip and chips and our easy pepperoni rolls to your menu as well.
Add a few other tasty appetizers to your tray alongside this ravioli, and you’ll have a delicious array of treats on offer. Check out our stuffed mushrooms, cucumber bites, and crab rangoon.
For more fried options, try our fried corn on the cob, deep-fried Oreos, and funnel cake bites.
MORE PASTA RECIPES
Storage
Whether you want to prepare ahead of time, save leftovers, or simply savor the taste for later, here are some storage tips.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning to make these ahead for a gathering or busy weeknight, you can prepare them a few hours in advance.
After frying, allow the ravioli to cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
Place a layer of parchment paper or wax paper between the ravioli to prevent sticking.
When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat them in the oven or an air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispy texture.
IN THE FRIDGE: Ravioli are best while still crispy right out of the fryer, but you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one to two days.
REHEATING: Place the ravioli on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 375°F.
Reheating in the oven is always best so that you don’t get soggy ravioli.
Why We Love This Recipe
CRISPY TEXTURE: One bite into these fried ravioli, and you’ll experience a satisfying crunch on the outside, giving way to tender and cheesy goodness inside. The contrast in textures is simply irresistible.
FULL OF FLAVOR: The combination of Italian herb breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese infuses these ravioli with rich, savory flavors that are elevated by the tangy marinara sauce.
EASY TO MAKE: This recipe is beginner-friendly, with clear step-by-step instructions. Even if you’re not a seasoned cook, you can achieve restaurant-quality fried ravioli in your own kitchen.
These homemade deep-fried ravioli are a great appetizer or light meal. The frying process makes them nice and crispy, and adding marinara sauce to dip them in makes them just perfect for sharing. I guarantee you will be hooked once you take a bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place the ravioli on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 375°F. Reheating in the oven is always best so that you don’t get soggy ravioli.
You can bake these ravioli instead of frying them by coating them in cooking spray, and then baking them at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
You can make these in an air fryer as well. Arrange ravioli in a single layer in your air fryer basket, give them a little spray with cooking spray, and cook for three to four minutes. Turn them over, spray them with cooking spray, and cook for three to four minutes more.
You can use either type of ravioli to make this easy recipe. Just thaw frozen ravioli before coating them in the batter.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Baked Ziti
- Tortellini Soup
- Baked Bruschetta Chicken
- Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Creamy Garlic Pasta
- Studding Meatloaf
- Texas Cowboy Stew
- Cajun Pasta
- Mongolian Beef
- Air Fryer Onions
Fried Ravioli
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup Italian herb breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
- 4 to 6 cups vegetable oil, or vegetable shortening (for frying)
- 20 ounce package refrigerated ravioli
- fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1 cup marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Combine buttermilk and 1 egg in a shallow bowl.
- Combine breadcrumbs and ¼ cup grated parmesan in a second bowl.
- Begin heating the cooking oil in a heavy stockpot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil to precisely 350°F, this will take 15 minutes or so.
- While the oil is heating, dip ravioli into the buttermilk mixture, coating on each side. Move the dipped ravioli into the breadcrumbs, again coating on each side.
- Set the coated ravioli aside on a sheet pan.
- When the oil is heated, add ravioli, several at a time and fry on both sides. When the ravioli are browned, remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and set them on a paper-towel-lined plate (or another sheet pan) to drain.
- Continue frying batches of ravioli until they are all cooked.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The ravioli will sink a bit when first added to the hot oil and then will float up to the top. Be sure to flip them over after they brown on one side so that both sides get browned.
- If the temperature of the oil is too cold, they will soak up too much oil; if it’s too hot, they will brown too quickly before the ravioli can cook.
- Be sure that you have enough oil so that it is at least 3 to 4 inches deep.
- You can fry these up right away or cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next day.
Comments
Gloria says
One of my favorite things to eat!
Estelle Forrest says
Yum! This is one of my favorite snacks. Thanks for sharing on SSPS, hope to see you again next week.
Esme Slabbert says
I love the idea of this fried ravioli, Looking so good.
Linda says
Hello can I use frozen ravioli? Thank you
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Linda – yes, but you’ll want to boil them first so that they aren’t frozen when you’re making them. Enjoy!
Linda says
Thank you