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Lasagna Fritta

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My Lasagna Fritta features cheesy pasta inside an ultra-crunchy batter. If you like lasagna, you'll love it deep-fried!

a closeup of lasagna fritta being dipped in marinara sauce.

Lasagna is one of my all-time favorite foods. I like penne al forno & bruschetta chicken pasta for busy weeknights and Mexican Lasagna on Taco Tuesday. Lasagna Fritta is one of my newest creations. It is inspired by the classic Olive Garden appetizer. It's cheesy, creamy, and SO crunchy.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little different. Everyone else is posting low-fat, low-carb recipes. And I'm just like hiiiii, I just deep-fried lasagna.  One bite, and you'll be deep-frying it, too.This recipe is perfect for pasta night, watching the big game, and date night in. Bonus: This recipe is vegetarian but feel free to add cooked ground beef if you'd like. Can I get bonus points for topping it with something green (parsley)? And dipping it in tomato sauce?  I mean, come on, this thing is practically a salad.

Why You Need Deep Fried Lasagna In Your Life

  1. Crispy Crunchy: Panko breading makes these SUPER crunchy.
  2. Flavorful Filling: No bland filling here! Ours is ultra flavorful with garlic and herbs.
  3. Quick and Easy: These cook up in just a few minutes.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

lasagna noodles, ricotta, eggs, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs, and oil.
  • Lasagna Noodles: Be sure to buy regular not no-boil noodles.
  • Ricotta: Do not substitute cottage cheese. It has a higher water content and will result in a soggy dish.
    • If your ricotta seems particularly wet, I suggest draining it through cheesecloth for a few hours or overnight.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola.  You can cool and reuse oil after frying as long as you use it for similar foods. 
    • For example, you could save the oil from this recipe to make deep-fried mac and cheese. However, I wouldn't suggest making beer-battered cod and then using the oil or this recipe.
  • Dip: Dip in your favorite sauce like marinara or alfredo. This is my go-to homemade marinara. Storebought: I'm a big fan of Rao's brand.
a deep fried lasagna roll up cut in half with ricotta cheese coming out.

Bread Crumbs

If you don't have seasoned bread crumbs on hand, you can add one teaspoon of Italian seasoning to regular bread crumbs.

️Krystle's Tips️

  1. Season: Remember to add salt to your pasta water. This is the only chance you have to flavor your noodles.
  2. Cook Noodles Al Dente: Pasta will cook a bit more when you fry it. Avoid soggy noodles by cooking until noodles still have a bite to them.
  3. Use a Thermometer: Keep an eye on it to make sure your oil stays at the right temperature. This is especially important between batches.
  4. Don't Skip This: Don't skip freezing the lasagna bites. I know you want them NOW. However, skipping this step will cause them to melt or explode.
  5. Fry Only a Few At a Time: Don't crowd your skillet. Work in batches of 4 or 5 depending on your pan size. The oil will stay hot, and your lasagna will get crispier!

❓Frequently Asked Questions❓

Can I Bake These?

Yes, but they might not get as crispy.

️Bake at 425 degrees for 15-17 minutes️

Can I Air Fry These?

Yes!
️Air fry at 400 degrees for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. ️

Spritz both sides with nonstick cooking spray.

Can I Use No Boil Noodles?

No! No Boil Noodles are made to be cooked in the oven with sauce. There is not enough liquid in our recipe to use them.

fried lasagna garnished with parsley with a bowl of marinara in the background.

More Deep Fried Appetizers I Love

For even more delicious recipes, you may like these:

📖 Recipe

Crunchy Lasagna Fritta

Creamy lasagna wrapped in an ultra crunchy batter. Just when you thought lasagna couldn't get any better!
4.98 from 35 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 279kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 Lasagna Noodles Cooked until al Dente
  • 15 Ounces Ricotta Cheese
  • 4 Eggs Beaten and Divided
  • 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • ¼ Cup Parsley Finely Chopped (Optional)
  • ½ Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Cups Italian Breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable Oil For Frying
  • Marinara and Alfredo Sauce For Serving If Desired
Don't lose this recipe. Pin for later!

Instructions

  • Cook lasagna noodles in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions for al dente. Grease baking sheet, set aside.
  • Place noodles flat onto prepared pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese 2 eggs, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until combined.
  • Spread ricotta mixture evenly over all 10 noodles. Fold each noodle 3-4 times until it resembles a square. Freeze for 30-45 minutes.
  • Set up 3 small bowls containing the flour, 2 eggs, and breadcrumbs. Dip square noodles into flour, eggs, and finally breadcrumbs.
  • Heat around 1 ½ inches of oil in a deep skillet. Heat over medium heat until oil reaches ~350 degrees F. You'll know it's ready when a drop of water sizzles with you add it to the pan.
  • Add lasagna bites 3-4 at a time into the oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all are cooked.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
  • Lasagna Noodles: Be sure to buy regular not no-boil noodles.
  • Ricotta: Do not substitute cottage cheese. 
    • If your ricotta seems particularly wet, I suggest draining it through cheesecloth for a few hours or overnight.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola.
Krystle's Tips
  1. Season: Remember to add salt to your pasta water.
  2. Cook Noodles Al Dente
  3. Use a Thermometer: Keep an eye on it to make sure your oil stays at the right temperature. This is especially important between batches.
  4. Don't skip freezing the lasagna bites.  Skipping this step will cause them to melt or explode.
  5. Fry Only a Few At a Time: Don't crowd your skillet. Work in batches of 4 or 5 depending on your pan size. 

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!
4.98 from 35 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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33 Comments

  1. Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says:

    Yep, I am going to make these this weekend. These look amazing!

  2. Melissa Cushing says:

    5 stars
    I pinned this recipe as my daughter will absolutely love this recipe and so will I for that matter! Delsih and thank you!

  3. This sounds amazing! I have had lasagna fritta once at a restaurant, and it was very tasty. I would love to try your recipe at home.

  4. Beautiful Touches says:

    5 stars
    These lasagna frittas look delicious! It also looks like a nice way to make lasagna-esque in smaller batches. I bet the texture is really nice too.

  5. 5 stars
    Yesss, this looks delicious, and you better believe I will be trying this one out.

  6. Lavanda Michelle says:

    5 stars
    My family adores lasagna, and your twist on it sounds absolutely mouthwatering. I can't wait to give it a try for our next pasta night.

  7. Tara Pittman says:

    5 stars
    This is the perfect dish for mothers day. My family will love it.

  8. Amber Myers says:

    5 stars
    This looks like such a tasty dinner. I tend to be a fan of deep fried anything.

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Thanks so much Catherine!

  9. Bonnie Donnelly says:

    Was wondering could I just air fry these??

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Hi Bonnie,

      You sure can: 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes

  10. I can't have deep fried anything. Could you make these in the oven. I don't have an air fryer.

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      We have not tried them in the oven and I don't want to mislead you with the price of groceries these days. If you end up trying it do let us know!