Toasted ravioli is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The genius lies in its perfect balance – the soft, savory filling contrasts brilliantly with the crunchy breadcrumb exterior. It’s a handheld delight that marries the comfort of traditional Italian-American fare with the thrill of a satisfying crunch. Let’s make some toasted ravioli!
What is toasted ravioli?
Toasted ravioli is a mouthwatering Italian-American appetizer that’s popular in the Midwest. It’s made by taking traditional cheese or meat-filled ravioli, coating them with breadcrumbs, and cooking them until golden brown and crispy. These crispy bites are often served with marinara sauce for dipping, making them an irresistible treat that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Toasted ravioli originated in St. Louis, Missouri, where they are sometimes called “T-ravs.” Though they are typically fried, we made our recipe more home kitchen-friendly and developed a baked version.
What ingredients do I need to make toasted ravioli?
To make this delicious party appetizer, you’ll need:
- Frozen ravioli
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, and salt
- Marinara sauce for serving
Protip: Use your favorite ravs!
We used cheese ravioli, but feel free to use your favorite!
Can you bake toasted ravioli?
Sure can! In fact, we found that baking is the best way to make toasted ravioli for a crowd (unless you’re in a commercial restaurant kitchen!). To bake toasted ravioli, you will:
- Set out three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with a beaten egg and milk mixture, and one with seasoned toasted breadcrumbs.
- Toss the frozen ravioli in the flour, then dredge through the egg.
- Next, toss each ravioli in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. Switch to the broil setting for the last few minutes to brown the tops of the ravioli.
How do I fry toasted ravioli?
Most of us don’t have a deep fryer at home, but you can still fry ravioli in a deep pot with some oil! Bread the ravioli the same way you would for baking, and then pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Fry in 360°F oil for 2-3 minutes, and transfer the toasted ravioli to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil before serving.
The downside of frying your new favorite appetizers? It is time-consuming! You don’t want to overcrowd the frying oil, so you’ll need to work in batches. If you just want to cook everything at once, baking is the way to go.
Protip: Use the right oil!
For safe frying, you’ll want a neutral-flavor oil with a high smoke point. Consider corn oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or safflower oil for making fried toasted ravioli.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
You can prep the ravioli for toasting in advance, but we recommend waiting to cook them through until it is party time. Once you’ve breaded the ravioli, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours. Once they’re frozen, you can transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, fry or bake them straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
How do I reheat toasted ravioli in the oven?
If you have leftovers or want to reheat them for another day, the oven is your best bet. Bake the ravioli at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy. They may not have quite as much crunch as they did when fresh, but they will still be delicious!
Protip: Skip the microwave!
Skip the microwave for reheating toasted ravioli. It will leave you with soggy breaded ravioli instead of crisp.
Want more tasty party appetizers like this one?
- Baked Brie with Jam
- How to Make an Awesome Cheese Board in Minutes
- Simple Sausage Balls
- Parmesan and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Toasted Ravioli
Discover the delight of toasted ravioli – a crunchy, Italian-inspired treat that's oozing with flavor and warmth.
Ingredients
- 20 ounces frozen ravioli
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 jar marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the breadcrumbs on the baking sheet in a thin layer and spray evenly with cooking spray. Toast in the oven for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. In a third shallow bowl, stir together the toasted breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- One by one, toss the frozen ravioli in the flour, then dip in the egg mixture and shake off the excess. Toss in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to make sure the breadcrumbs stick, and set on a lined baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake the breaded ravioli for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, broiling for the last 2-3 minutes to get a nice crispy texture.
- Serve with marinara sauce!
Notes
- No need to flip the ravioli over—they toast really well on the bottom in the oven!
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for two days, but they lose some of their crispiness. We recommend reheating them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to get them hot and crispy again. They won't be as crunchy as fresh, but they'll still be delicious!
- You can definitely prep these ahead, but we recommend baking or frying them right before serving. You can also freeze the ravioli once they're breaded and stash them in the freezer for up to three months. Just cook from frozen and add another minute or two to the cooking time!
- To fry the ravioli: Freeze them after you bread them for at least 30 minutes, then heat your oil to 360°F and fry for about 2-3 minutes. They have a great texture when fried, but keep in mind that frying this many ravioli at home is time-consuming!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 370Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 905mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 17g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
