These irresistible air fryer lasagna cups bring a fun twist to traditional Italian comfort food – ready in just 23 minutes! Perfectly portioned and packed with melty cheese, these handheld delights deliver all the classic lasagna flavors without the lengthy prep time.
Each cup contains only 188 calories while offering 13g of satisfying protein, making them an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing appetizers. The air fryer creates crispy edges and gooey centers that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Lasagna Cups
- Lasagna Pasta: 8 pieces, pre-soaked until pliable
- Meat Sauce: 3 cups, prepared and ready to layer
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup, creamy and fresh
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups, freshly shredded for best melting
- Parsley: Fresh, for garnishing
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Cut lasagna sheets to fit the bottom of jumbo cupcake molds perfectly
- First Layer: Add 1 tablespoon of meat sauce over the pasta base
- Build Up: Place a small cut piece of lasagna on top of the meat sauce
- Add Cheese Layer: Spread a generous layer of ricotta cheese
- Continue Layering: Add another pasta layer, followed by 1½ tablespoons of meat sauce
- Top Layer: Finish with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese
- Repeat Process: Create 5 more lasagna cups following the same layering technique
- Air Frying: Place cups in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 8 minutes
- Final Step: Let the cups cool briefly before removing from molds
Making Perfect Lasagna Cups
The key to these cute lasagna cups is getting the pasta just right! Pre-soak your lasagna noodles until they’re bendy but not too soft – this makes them easy to cut and form into the muffin cups without breaking. When lining the molds, let the pasta edges stick up a bit – they’ll get wonderfully crispy in the air fryer!
Smart Substitutions
Mix up these tasty cups based on what you love! Switch the meat sauce for veggie marinara, try cottage cheese instead of ricotta, or use different cheese blends – provolone and Parmesan work great. Want them extra cheesy? Add a sprinkle of Italian cheese blend between each layer. For a lighter version, use low-fat cheese options.
Serving Ideas
These mini lasagnas are perfect for so many occasions! Serve them with a fresh side salad for dinner, pack them in lunch boxes (they’re way less messy than regular lasagna), or make them bite-sized in mini muffin tins for party appetizers. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil on top adds a lovely pop of color.
Storage Tips
These little cups are great for meal prep! Let them cool completely, then pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, just put them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F, or microwave them for about 1 minute. They also freeze well – wrap them individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
Melted Air Fryer Lasagna Cups
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Jumbo Cupcake Mold
Ingredients
Lasagna Cups Ingredients
- 8 pieces Lasagna pasta pre-soaked
- 3 cups meat sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the lasagna pasta to line the bottom of the jumbo cupcake mold
- Add a tablespoon of meat sauce. Then cut a small piece of lasagna pasta and place on top. Add a layer of ricotta cheese.
- Add another layer of pasta. Top with 1 1/2 tablespoons of meat sauce, then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat 5 more times and place the lasagna cups into the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 350°F/175°C for 8 minutes and then let cool before removing from the molds.
