Like Olive Garden’s toasted ravioli, but better! This crispy fried ravioli is easy to make, yet impressive. Perfect for a party, or the family dinner table.
I’m sure you’ve all been to an Olive Garden at some point, but have you ever ordered their toasted ravioli appetizer? It’s soooo good! But, as with most restaurant appetizers, you don’t get very many. Grrrrr, don’t you hate that! A plate of 10 ravioli’s for the whole table? Ummm, I can eat that, (and more!) myself! Here’s a version you can make at home, that’s easy, part of it can be made ahead of time, and is impressive enough to serve at a party!
I know what you might be thinking… fried food isn’t easy! Well I’m here to tell you it can be 🙂 There’s no need to be afraid to fry things at home, and you don’t need any special equipment. Just some oil, and a heavy bottomed deep pot. I use my cast iron pans now, but I’ve used my stockpot before and it works just fine 🙂
Usually when I make these, I use regular Italian breadcrumbs, but lately, I’ve been using panko breadcrumbs that I season up with some spices. The crunch factor is just out of this world!
Here are the basics of frying…
You’ll need an egg wash, which I usually do 2 eggs, and about 1/2 a cup or so of milk, buttermilk, half and half, etc. Whisk it together pretty well.
————————————————-
Once you’ve dipped your ravioli in the egg wash and coated it well, toss and press it into your breadcrumb mixture. You want to really coat the whole surface.
————————————————-
Lay your breaded raviolis on a baking sheet lined with foil or wax paper (for easy cleanup). You can fry these up right away, or cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next day. This is super helpful, since breading can take a little while.
————————————————-
Heat up your oil (canola, vegetable, peanut, sunflower, etc. – I don’t recommend olive oil), over medium heat. You can use a thermometer if you want, but I don’t have one, so I just toss a few breadcrumbs in the oil when I think it’s ready. If they bubble/sizzle and slowly turn golden brown, the oil is ready! Add your ravioli in batches, you don’t want to overcrowd your pan, or they won’t fry properly. I use a 12″ deep skillet and do about 10 raviolis per batch. They’ll fry for about 2 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown.
————————————————-
Use a slotted spoon or strainer to remove the raviolis from the oil and place them on a paper towel lined plate. This will drain excess oil 🙂
That’s it! As simple as bread, heat up oil, fry, drain.
I like to serve mine up with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and minced parsley or basil sprinkled over the top.
What’s a great appetizer without a dip? You can certainly make your own marinara sauce, but hey, sometimes, I just don’t have the energy to do that. I found this really yummy sauce from Prego that is a Merlot Marinara…. ohhhh it’s heaven in a bottle you guys! They’re not sponsoring this post, I just really like the sauce lol.
These fried raviolis could be an appetizer, or even a main dish! Usually I make these as the entree and serve a nice salad alongside 🙂 They’re so crispy, so crunchy, so flavorful, and so addicting!
I like to do a combination of beef and cheese raviolis… it’s like a little surprise every time you bite into one 🙂 For me, the best bargain is to use bags of frozen raviolis and just thaw them.
So don’t be afraid of frying, it’s actually kind of fun 🙂 You could also bake these instead, although I will warn you, they’ll lose that super crunchy exterior and golden brown color.
Never miss a recipe!
[mc4wp_form]
You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Google +, so follow me if you’d like… I love keeping in touch with all of you 🙂
Crispy Fried Ravioli
Ingredients
- 30 frozen beef and cheese ravioli thawed
- 1 1/2 cups Italian Panko breadcrumbs (or add some garlic powder Italian seasoning and dried parsley to plain panko breadcrumbs)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 jar marina sauce warmed, for dipping
Instructions
-
Thaw raviolis.
-
Line a baking sheet with foil or waxed paper and set aside.
-
Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow bowl.
-
Add breadcrumbs to another shallow bowl.
-
Set up your breading station so you're working towards the baking sheet (egg wash, breadcrumbs, baking sheet).
-
Add enough oil to your skillet or pan to be about 2- 2.5 inches deep. Heat over medium heat until the oil is hot enough. Test by tossing a few breadcrumbs in the oil... if they sizzle and bubble, the oil is ready.
-
Dip the ravioli in the egg wash, coat in the breadcrumbs, then place on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Repeat with remaining raviolis.
-
Fry several raviolis (remember to work in batches), for about 2 minutes per side.
-
Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
-
Before serving, warm the marinara sauce and sprinkle raviolis with grated Parmesan and minced parsley or basil.
Recipe Notes
** Recipe can be easily adapted to make larger quantities for a party.** Breading can be done the day before frying, just remember to cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Linked to Made By You Monday | Melt in Your Mouth Mondays | Munching Mondays | Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesdays | Try a New Recipe Tuesday | Take A Look Tuesday | Totally Talented Tuesdays | Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party | Simple Suppers | What’s Cooking Wednesdays | Whimsy Wednesdays | The Wednesday Roundup | Wordless Wednesday | Showcase Your Talent Thursdays | Full Plate Thursdays | Favorite Things Blog Hop | Foodie Fridays | Fiesta Fridays | Pure Blog Love | Pin Junkie Pin Party | Foodie Friends Friday | Foodie Friday and Everything Else | Fresh Ideas for Your Home | Friday Favorites | Show Stopper | Best of the Weekend | Show and Tell Saturday | Link Party Palooza | Saucy Saturday
Oh yeahhhhhhhh- now we’re talkin! (I say that as it this is the first recipe of yours that I’m obsessed with. PFFFFFFFFF) I made fried tortellini once and it was A-MAZ-ING!!!!! Sooo good, I can taste it now- Ravioli is next on my list! Your pictures are making me starvin’! (Oh, and BTW, good point you made recently, what ARE we going to do this winter?!)… Well I’m making this pronto. Love the step by step instructions. You gooooooooooooooooooooo!
Stephanie recently posted…Chicken Scallopini {My favorite recipe on the blog!}
Thank youuuuuu girl!! Fried pasta is just awesomeness 😀 OMG you just reminded me, I’ve been wanting to try fried tortellini… need to do that, like yesterday 😉
I want these RIGHT NOW!!! They look so good! I am going to have to put the ingredients on my shopping list this week for sure.
Miranda Gonzalez recently posted…From Teenage Drug Addict into the Arms of God
Thank you Miranda!! That makes two of us, I’ve got a craving for these ravioli again, so I’ll be adding the ingredients to my list as well 🙂
I love fried ravioli, but have never made them at home. We should really try it soon!
Carlee @cookingwithcarlee recently posted…Vicki’s Whipped Cream Frosting
It’s so much fun to make Carlee, you’ll get hooked on it 🙂
Of all the times I’ve been to OG, I’ve never had these! I’m sure your version is way better – can’t wait to try!! Pinning & sharing
Amanda recently posted…Fruttare Fruit Bars + Prosecco Cocktail Recipe
Thank you Amanda!! Plus when you make them at home, you get to eat as many as you want 😉
Looks fabulous – love fried ravioli, can’t wait to give this one a try!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over recently posted…Try a Bite Tuesday #12
Thank you Debra!! I hope you love it 🙂
Great recipe and lovely photos – making me very hungry! Just found your blog and loving it!!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago recently posted…Mason Jar Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Curd
Thank you so much Kathryn!! Fried food was more difficult to photograph than I thought it would be lol 🙂 Off to check out your great blog some more!
Looks good! I have never breaded pasta before but this looks too delicious to pass up!
Emily Marie recently posted…Homemade Banana Bread
Thank you Emily!! I’ve only ever breaded ravioli’s but a friend of mine also breads and fries tortellini…. omg I need to try that 🙂
Looks scrumptious😋
skd recently posted…Cookies ‘n Fruits – No cook quick dessert
Thank you skd!! 🙂
I have a restaurant down the road that makes these and they are so good! I would love to try to make my own… pinned 🙂
Malia @ Small Town Girl recently posted…Adventures in Canning: Crockpot Apple Butter
I hope you love it Malia!! I’m actually making these again tomorrow 😉
Love fried ravioli. I usually try to bake them and they never turn out the best. Have a great weekend.
Quinn Caudill recently posted…Chicken Caprese Torta
Thanks Quinn! I grew up with baked ravioli and it’s good, but I just love that extra crunch from the fried coating 🙂
Oh WOW!!!!! Can we say Yum!!!
It’s breakfast time and I’m already thinking of lunch/dinner thanks to you. Looks so delicious! 🙂
Thank you SO much!! 😀
Wow. This is totally making my mouth water!! Sounds soooo good! I remember an issue of Rachel Ray’s mag which said on the cover: “The secret to making anything taste better!” The secret? Deep frying. lol!
Thanks so much Collin!! Haha, frying is awesome 😉 Not endorsed by the American Heart Association, but hey, in moderation, bring it on 🙂
So simple. So delicious. My onion rings are the first thing I ever fried and it really isn’t the big deal I thought it would be. And the taste!! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
Christine recently posted…Saucy Saturdays No 7 + The Netherlands
Thanks so much Christine!! The first time I ever fried something, I was so nervous lol
These look amazing! I love fried ravioli yum! Dipped in ranch or marinara sauce. Need to try this recipe for sure. Found from #saucysaturday and pinning.
Thanks so much Kristen!! Ooooh I never even thought to dip them in ranch, that would be awesome 🙂 I hope you love these!
Oh c’mon! Be fair! How can I possibly resist these? I’ve only ever deep fried once (about 2 months ago) but I feel another venture coming on.
jane @ littlesugarsnaps recently posted…Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Cones
Lol, I’m evil with my fried temptations! 😉 I hope you try these and love them 🙂
These look like they could be from a fact Italian restaurant! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! This post has been pinned on the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! I love having you and can’t wait to see you next week!
Stephanie recently posted…An Announcement, part 2
Thanks so much Stephanie! 🙂
This is a great appetizer! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted…Spicy Blackberry Jam
Thank you Miz Helen!!
I’ve never tried my own ravioli but now I must! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! This post has been pinned on the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! I love having you and can’t wait to see you next week!
Stephanie recently posted…Flashback Friday
Thank you Stephanie!! 🙂