The great thing about this air fryer spinach cannelloni is that it offers both convenience and deliciousness in one simple dish. Even if you’re short on time and don’t have the chance to make the cannelloni from scratch, don’t worry – many supermarkets now sell pre-made, fresh, and ready-rolled cannelloni tubes. This makes the recipe a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you’re craving a home-cooked meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The convenience of store-bought cannelloni helps streamline the process, allowing you to focus on making the filling and adding flavour.
Speaking of flavour, the addition of pesto to the ricotta cheese and spinach mixture elevates this dish to another level. The rich, herby taste of the pesto complements the creamy ricotta perfectly, and the earthy spinach adds a vibrant, nutritious element. It’s a small touch, but it makes a big difference in the overall flavour profile. The balance of creamy, savoury, and slightly tangy pesto mixed with the subtle flavour of spinach makes each bite an absolute delight.
This recipe is a true classic and incredibly foolproof, ensuring that even beginner cooks can achieve delicious results. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. This air fryer spinach cannelloni will quickly become a favourite go-to dish. It’s easy to prepare, full of flavour, and always a crowd-pleaser. With its simplicity and taste, it’s bound to become a staple in your cooking repertoire, loved by all ages.
You can find this recipe on page 151 of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: One Basket Meals.
PREP 20 minutes
COOK 30 minutes
SERVES 4 people
KIT you will need an air fryer, a tea towel, a colander, a kettle, a mixing bowl and a large oven proof dish.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Spinach Cannelloni
300g of fresh spinach
250g of ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
75g of parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tablespoon of green pesto
8 small fresh lasagne sheets (or four larger sheets, cut in half)
2 x 500g jars of passata
2 x 125g mozzarella balls, drained
Sea salt and ground black pepper
To serve:
Green salad
Garlic bread (optional)
Method
Start by placing your fresh spinach into a colander and pouring over a full kettle of boiling water. This will quickly wilt the spinach, making it easier to work with. Once wilted, lay a clean tea towel on your work surface and transfer the spinach onto it. Wrap it up tightly and press gently but firmly to remove as much excess moisture as possible – this step is important to prevent your filling from becoming watery.
Next, transfer the drained spinach to a large mixing bowl. Add in the ricotta cheese, one beaten egg, grated parmesan, and a generous spoonful of pesto. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, then mix thoroughly until everything is well combined and smooth.
Place your dried lasagne sheets into a shallow dish and pour over another full kettle of boiling water. Let them soak for about 5 minutes, or until they have softened enough to roll. Drain carefully and lay the sheets out flat on a clean tea towel to cool slightly.
So Using a teaspoon, spoon equal amounts of the ricotta and spinach filling along one long edge of each lasagne sheet. Gently roll up each sheet into a tube, forming the cannelloni. Place the filled rolls seam-side down in a large ovenproof dish, or remove the crisper plate from your air fryer and lay them directly in the basket.
Pour passata evenly over the cannelloni and set your air fryer to 160°C. Cook for 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the pasta is tender. After 20 minutes, tear fresh mozzarella over the top and cook for a further 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
Then serve hot with a fresh green salad and warm garlic bread for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Tips for Air Fryer Spinach Cannelloni
1. Pre-cook your filling
Wilt fresh spinach and mix it with ricotta, parmesan, and seasoning before filling the cannelloni. So cooking the spinach first helps avoid excess moisture.
2. Use no-boil pasta tubes
No-boil (oven-ready) cannelloni tubes work best in the air fryer. Just be sure they’re fully covered in sauce so they soften properly while cooking.
3. Fill neatly & evenly
So use a piping bag or small spoon to fill the tubes evenly without splitting them. This ensures they cook uniformly and stay intact.
4. Layer with plenty of sauce
Place a thin layer of tomato sauce in your air fryer-safe dish, then arrange the filled tubes on top and cover generously with more sauce and cheese.
5. Choose the right dish
Use a small baking dish or foil tray that fits in your air fryer basket. So ceramic or metal dishes work well and help brown the top.
6. Cover at first
Loosely cover with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent the top from burning before the pasta softens.
7. Uncover to brown
Remove foil halfway through to allow the cheese to melt and bubble, forming that golden, irresistible top.
8. Cook at 180°C (350°F)
Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the top is golden.
9. Let it rest
Rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking. So this makes it easier to slice and helps the filling set slightly.
10. Garnish & serve
So top with fresh basil, a sprinkle of parmesan, or a drizzle of olive oil for a finishing touch.
Similar recipes
Loved this comforting Air Fryer Spinach Cannelloni? Whether you are planning an Italian-inspired dinner or simply want more cheesy, satisfying air fryer meals. These recipes make a perfect next step. Each one pairs beautifully with baked pasta and brings even more flavour to your table. All without turning on the oven.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
So golden and crispy with a buttery garlic centre, this garlic bread is the ultimate sidekick for cannelloni. It is ready in just a few minutes and is ideal for mopping up any extra sauce.
Air Fryer Halloumi
Crispy on the edges and squeaky soft on the inside, halloumi adds a salty contrast to the creamy spinach filling. So serve as a starter or alongside a Mediterranean-style spread.
Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes
Roasted and stuffed tomatoes burst with sweetness and acidity. And are perfect for adding a fresh touch to a rich, cheesy pasta dish.
Air Fryer Aubergine
Soft and smoky slices of aubergine (or eggplant in America) pair beautifully with tomato-based dishes and give your plate an earthy, Italian-style boost.
Air Fryer Courgettes
So lightly caramelised and tender, these courgettes are a fresh, low-effort veggie side that complements the richness of cannelloni without overpowering it.
These air fryer recipes help you build out a complete Italian-style meal and are easy, flavourful, and oven-free from start to finish.
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