The first time I tried toasted ravioli, I knew I’d stumbled upon something special. I absolutely had to learn how to make toasted ravioli at home! Of course, “toasted” here is code for “deep-fried.” The crispy, savory bites are pure magic when dipped in marinara sauce.
Fried ravioli have been a St. Louis restaurant staple for years, especially at establishments like The Hill and Charlie Gitto’s. Rumor has it that the dish originated in St. Louis in the 1940s. A cook at an Italian American restaurant accidentally dropped ravioli in hot oil instead of water. These “T-ravs” were so delicious they made their way onto the menu (alongside other St. Louis classics like gooey butter cake).
How to Make Toasted Ravioli
This iconic St. Louis appetizer is an easy dish you can throw together in 20 minutes. The steps are simple:
First, bread the ravioli in flour, egg and seasoned breadcrumbs. Next, fry them in a skillet for a few minutes per side until they become golden brown and crisp. If desired, finish the crispy bites with a dusting of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Pick up the handheld snacks, and dunk them in warm marinara sauce. Yum!
Toasted Ravioli Ingredients
- Ravioli: Traditionally, beef ravioli is the go-to for this recipe, but cheese or vegetable ravioli create equally tasty results. If you choose frozen ravioli, we recommend thawing them first.
- All-purpose flour: The flour creates a dry coating for the ravioli. It’s a critical step to ensure that the breading will actually stick to the ravioli.
- Egg: This coating helps the bread crumbs adhere.
- Seasoned bread crumbs: The Italian seasonings in the seasoned breadcrumbs bloom and become aromatic when the ravioli hit the fryer oil. We also add Parmesan cheese to make the toasted ravioli extra cheesy.
- Oil for deep-frying: The best oils for frying, like canola or vegetable oil, have a neutral flavor and a high smoke point.
- Marinara sauce: If you don’t have time to make the sauce from scratch, check out our Test Kitchen’s picks for the best jarred pasta sauce.
Directions
Step 1: Set up your breading station
You’ll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and basil. Next, place the flour in a separate shallow bowl. Finally, whisk the eggs in the remaining bowl.
Step 2: Dip the ravioli
Dip the ravioli in the flour, and coat both sides. Shake off any excess flour, and dip them in the eggs. Finally, add the ravioli to the bread crumb mixture. Pat the ravioli to help the coating adhere.
Step 3: Fry the ravioli
In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F. Fry the ravioli, a few at a time, until golden brown, one to two minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
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 warm with marinara sauce.
Toasted Ravioli Variations
- Baked toasted ravioli: Preheat the oven to 400°. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet, and spritz the rack with cooking spray. Dredge the ravioli as directed, and bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Air-fried toasted ravioli: To make air-fryer ravioli, dredge the ravioli as directed. Arrange them in a single layer in a 350° air fryer, and spritz them with a little cooking spray. Air-fry for three to four minutes. Flip, spritz with cooking spray and cook until golden brown, three to four minutes longer.
Can you make toasted ravioli ahead of time?
Like most deep-fryer recipes, toasted ravioli is best when it’s made right before serving. If you’re OK with the ravioli losing some crunch, keep them warm on a rack placed over a baking sheet in a 200° oven for up to 30 minutes.
How to Store and Reheat Toasted Ravioli
If you end up with leftovers, store the toasted ravioli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. We don’t recommend microwaving toasted ravioli, as the crispy outer coating will become soggy.
- Reheat toasted ravioli in the oven: Place the toasted ravioli on a baking sheet, and heat for 10 to 15 minutes in a 375° oven, flipping halfway through.
- Reheat toasted ravioli in an air fryer: Spritz the ravioli with a little oil, and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air-fry at 350° for three to five minutes or until crisp.
Toasted Ravioli Tips
What kinds of ravioli work for toasted ravioli?
Meat-filled ravioli are traditional for St. Louis toasted ravioli, but you can use any kind of store-bought or homemade ravioli. For a fun twist, try meaty ravioli filled with sausage or specialty fillings like lobster. If you or your guests follow a vegetarian diet, use cheese, spinach, mushroom, pumpkin or another non-meat ravioli of your choice.
Can you make fried ravioli from frozen ravioli?
You can use frozen ravioli to make this toasted ravioli recipe. For the best results, we recommend thawing frozen ravioli before cooking. But if you’re in a rush, just cook them for a few extra minutes to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°. If you have any thawed ravioli left over, use them up in these amazing ravioli recipes.
What do you serve with toasted ravioli?
Serve toasted ravioli with a dusting of Parmesan cheese and warm marinara on the side. It’s great as an appetizer, but you can also pair the crispy bites with a side salad for lunch or dinner.
