Fried Ravioli with Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

This make-ahead, freezer friendly Fried Ravioli with Homemade Marinara Sauce is the perfect appetizer for easy holiday entertaining. It’s quick and easy to make and is always a crowd pleaser.

Make Ahead Recipes Are Convenient

I love make ahead recipes. It just makes life so much easier.

I really love make-ahead dishes when I’m entertaining – especially appetizers. It makes it so much less stressful to know I already have some of my favorite appetizers prepared. Most of the time I just have to reheat from frozen and we’re ready to go!

That means I can have game day food ready in a flash, no-worry appetizers to bring to a party or just something easy to make on a lazy weekend!

And, when we’re talking about a convenient make ahead (or eat now!) recipe, this fried ravioli appetizer definitely fits the bill.

Fried Ravioli is So Easy to Make

First of all, there are only 5 ingredients needed to make these fried ravioli. That definitely helps make it an easy appetizer recipe!

Second, you are going to get that great deep fried ravioli taste and texture but without all the mess of deep frying. I pan-fry these in a thin layer of olive oil. You use way less oil than in a deep fryer and you don’t have to deal with all that leftover hot oil once you’re done cooking.

While you still can have a bit of a splatter mess using a shallow layer of oil in a large frying pan, I still prefer that to the mess of a deep fryer! And, you still get a great fried food appetizer at the end.

From here, it’s pretty simple. Dip the ravioli in the egg and panko bread crumbs, heat up the oil, pan fry and they’re ready to serve. Grab some marinara sauce for dipping and get the party started!

(Note: I love these fried ravioli served with my favorite homemade tomato basil sauce. It’s incredibly quick and easy to make and tastes fantastic. However, if you don’t want to take the time to make a homemade sauce, your favorite jarred marinara will also be delicious. )

From Frozen Ravioli to Party Time!

These fried ravioli are a perfect example of a great make-ahead appetizer. Once fried, I freeze them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer bag or other airtight container when it’s frozen. Then, just put back in the freezer until ready to reheat.

Once it’s party time, I reheat the ravioli from frozen in a preheated oven, for about 10-15 minutes. They come out perfectly crispy every time and are some of the best fried ravioli I’ve had.

With the holidays coming up, it’s nice to have a stash of these in the freezer. That way, if anyone pops over, you can have a delicious appetizer ready in no time.

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks 

• Fresh ravioli is preferable to frozen. If using frozen, make sure they are completely thawed before breading and frying.
• To make breading the ravioli easy, set up an assembly line. Have separate shallow bowls or pans lined up, one with the egg mixture, one with the breadcrumbs and a plate at the end to set the breaded ravioli before frying.
• It works best to fry the ravioli in batches without crowding the pan. That way they’re able to fry to crispy perfection. Add more oil to the pan as needed between batches.
• If serving the ravioli right away, place fried ravioli on a plate covered with paper towels and cover them with foil until all batches are complete.
• To freeze these for later, put the fried ravioli on a sheet pan in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or other airtight container.
• To reheat frozen ravioli, reheat on a sheet pan in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

Ingredients Needed to Make Fried Ravioli with Homemade Marinara Sauce

Full instructions can be found below in the printable recipe card

• Refrigerated ravioli – I prefer refrigerated over frozen since you’re frying it. Frozen is much more likely to spatter.
• Eggs
• Italian style panko breadcrumbs – I prefer the texture of panko vs. regular breadcrumbs.
• Olive oil
• Tomato Basil Sauce

How to Make Fried Ravioli with Homemade Marinara Sauce

• Lightly beat the eggs with a little splash of water in a shallow dish.
• Add about a cup of bread crumbs to another shallow dish.
• Then set up a little assembly line with the ravioli, eggs, breadcrumbs and a plate.
• Dip ravioli in the beaten eggs, then coat with the breadcrumbs. Set aside on the plate.
• Heat about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, start cooking the ravioli in batches, making sure you’re not crowding the pan.
• Cook until golden brown. It should only take a couple of minutes per side.
• Place fried ravioli on a plate covered with paper towels and cover them with foil until all batches are complete.
• Add more oil to the pan between batches as needed to cook the remaining ravioli.
• Serve immediately with a side of marinara sauce.
• If freezing for later, place ravioli in a single layer on a cookie sheet and put into the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-loc bag or other airtight container. From frozen, reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, until hot.

More Delicious Holiday Appetizer Recipes

• Instant Pot Cranberry Meatballs
• Easy Antipasto Skewers
• Buffalo Cheese Dip
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
• Italian Cheese Bombs
• Baked Blackened Shrimp
• Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
• Easy Pumpkin Hummus

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