Baked Pasta Fries -- A recipe for pasta chips made healthy by baking them in the oven, and using Banza to make this addicting appetizer for pasta lovers gluten-free, vegan, and protein-packed!

I received free samples of Banza mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Banza and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time. Thanks for supporting the partners that keep Sinful Nutrition running!
Fries before guys. Hoes before bros. Pasta before brasta.
I can honestly say, sitting down to a giant bowl of pasta is not my idea of a good time. Sitting down to a plate of crispy pasta chips dipped in warm marinara is more my style. In the realm of being honest, my pasta-inhaling boyfriend thought I was CRAY when I told him the idea of pasta fries. I'll take that as a challenge.
What makes these pasta fries delicious & healthy
- Banza penne pasta
- ground flax seed
- water
- gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- garlic powder
- marinara sauce (for dipping)
How to make these pasta fries
Start by cooking a little over 1 cup of Banza penne pasta (or regular pasta if preferred) according to package instructions. This should yield about 2 cups of cooked pasta. Let pasta cool completely. While pasta is cooling, preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C and place a wire cooling rack into a rimmed baking sheet. With a fork, combine 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed with 6 tablespoons of water in a small bowl, and let sit. This will make the flax 'egg' to help the breading stick.
On a shallow plate, stir together ½ cup of gluten-free breadcrumbs, (or panko breadcrumbs if not strictly gluten-free) 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Use a fork to dip the pasta into the flax mixture, and then move to breadcrumb mixture to coat. Transfer to prepared baked sheet/wire rack, and bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

Pro Tips:
- Whichever pasta you use (regular or chickpea) make sure they are cooked a little passed al dente (about 10 minutes) when you boil the noodles. Since they get a crunchy coating, having the soft interior makes them so much better.
- If you're not strictly gluten-free or vegan, you can use regular Italian breadcrumbs or panko, and 2 beaten eggs instead of the flax.
- These are best served immediately, and don't keep well once they cool down. Just like the fries you know and love.
FAQs
Can I use regular pasta for these pasta chips?
Yes, you can use white or whole wheat penne to make these, but I actually prefer the Banza version!
How long do these keep for?
They really are best served and enjoyed immediately, but they can be kept for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. I would recommend reheating in the oven to achieve a crispy texture.
more pasta recipes:
Vegan Mac and Cheese (Cashew-Free!)
Balsamic Pasta Salad with Tofu
Dairy-Free Penne Vodka
Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment and a rating to let me know how they came out!

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Baked Pasta Fries
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 3-4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked Pasta Fries -- A recipe for pasta chips made healthy by baking them in the oven, and using Banza to make this addicting appetizer for pasta lovers gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian ,and protein-packed!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked Banza penne pasta*
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed**
- 6 tablespoons water
- ½ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs***
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- marinara sauce, pesto, or alfredo for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with a wire cooling rack.
- In a small bowl, combine the flax and water together. Set aside.
- Stir together breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, salt, and garlic powder on a shallow plate.
- Using a fork, dip cooked pasta noodles in flax mixture to coat.
- Transfer to breadcrumbs and toss to coat.
- Add noodles to prepared baking sheet, and repeat process with remaining pasta.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is crispy and browned.
- Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
*can also use white or whole wheat penne.
**can use 1 large egg instead.
***can use panko or regular breadcrumbs if not strictly gluten-free.
nutrition information is estimated, and may not bee 100% accurate.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe (no sauce)
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 177
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: banza, pasta, penne, fries, appetizer
Make it a great day!
What's your favorite type of fry?
If you had to pick ONE noodle shape, what would it be?
GiGi Eats
OHH I am loving this idea. LOVING IT. And it's just SO UNIQUE!!!! Your brain is awesome LOL!
★★★★★
Abbey Sharp
Ooh this is such a fun app! They look super addictive 🙂
★★★★★
Becca Menke
What a cool idea!!
Deborah Brooks
How creative! These look fabulous I never would have thought of baking them this way
★★★★★
Elysia
This is such a creative idea! I was definitely intrigued as soon as I saw the title of the post!
David Berger
Good idea. I Love pasta. And i always try to make different types dishes from it. I like your Idea and it also look yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
★★★★★
Catherine Brown
HA! How funky are these... what an awesome idea! We love the chickpea pastas, so definitely need to try this!
★★★★★
Kathryn Pfeffer
Emily, this is genius! Great idea for the addition of flaxseed meal!
Amanda
Just when I thought pasta couldn't get any better, this is such a creative little twist! I love Banza pasta and fries, so this is just the best of both worlds.
★★★★★
Nicole from Fitful Focus
yesssss I have all these ingredients! Definitely going to make these happen.
Sarah Remmer
Ooo yum! Anything with "baked" and "pasta" and I'm sold!
★★★★★
Katey Davidson, MSc, RD
This is such a great idea! 🙂
★★★★★
Chelsey
I love this idea so much - So creative!
Elissa
Awesome idea! And "uteruses before duderuses".....HAHA!