The first time I tried toasted ravioli, I knew I’d stumbled upon something special. Of course, “toasted” here is code for “deep-fried.” The crispy, savory bites are pure magic when dipped in marinara sauce. I absolutely had to learn how to make toasted ravioli at home!
This classic St. Louis appetizer is a simple something you can throw together in 20 minutes. Traditionally, beef ravioli is the go-to for this recipe, but if you’re a vegetarian, you can use cheese or vegetable ravioli and get equally tasty results.
How to Make Toasted Ravioli
This recipe for toasted ravioli was inspired by the popular restaurant dish found throughout St. Louis. It makes about 18 appetizers or serves four as a dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 package (9 ounces) frozen beef ravioli, thawed
- Oil for deep-fat frying
- Fresh minced basil and additional shredded Parmesan cheese, optional
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Set up your breading station
You’ll want three separate bowls. Fill the first one with bread crumbs, Parmesan, basil and any additional seasonings you may want to add. Next, pour the flour into the second bowl, then crack the eggs into the remaining bowl.
Editor’s Tip: Swapping out regular bread crumbs for panko bread crumbs is a simple way to get more crunch in your toasted ravioli.
Step 2: Dip, dip, dip
Dip the ravioli in the flour so that both sides are coated. Give them a little shake to remove any excess flour and dunk them in the egg. Finally, pop the ravioli into the bread crumb mix, making sure each ravioli has a strong coat of crumbs.
Step 3: Fry, garnish and enjoy!
Heat half an inch of oil in a deep cast-iron pan until it reaches 375°F. If you don’t have cast iron, you can also use an electric skillet with equal ease. Fry the ravioli in batches until they turn a beautiful golden brown or about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Scoop them out of the oil with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels.
If you want to jazz them up, now is the perfect time to sprinkle a little freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil over the ravioli. Serve them up with warm marinara sauce.
Editor’s Tip: While we love homemade marinara, store-bought sauce is great if you’re short on time. Check out our top pasta sauce picks.
Can You Bake Toasted Ravioli?
Yes—preheat your oven to 400°F and place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spritz the rack with cooking spray, and after the bread crumb coat, bake the ravioli for 15 to 20 minutes. Tasty!
