Updated July 2021
Easy Ways to Make Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
Want to learn how to cook Cauliflower Gnocchi from frozen? We are usually a big advocate for homemade meals, but everyone has a few favorite store-bought dishes that hit the spot just right. Who doesn’t love the popular cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s? It comes out pillowy soft on the inside and crispy on the outside no matter how you cook it.
We like to prepare ours one of 3 ways – in the oven, in the Air Fryer or on the stove. Each method is super quick and simple, so the choice is yours. Just make sure you ignore the instructions on the package and follow our recipe instead – your gnocchi will be better for it!
It’s so convenient and easy to cook a number of different ways. You can make air fryer cauliflower gnocchi (my personal favorite), on the stove or bake it in the oven like this Cauliflower Gnocchi Recipe with feta and cherry tomatoes.
What is Cauliflower Gnocchi?
Cauliflower Gnocchi is one of the most popular items at Trader Joe’s. People will line up just to get this one item from the frozen section! In fact, if you don’t go early enough in the day, you will often find that it’s sold out.
This cult-favorite meal or side dish contains just 5 ingredients: cauliflower, cassava flour, potato starch, extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. That means it’s gluten-free, grain-free, vegan and paleo-friendly!
If you happen to have pesto or another kind of sauce, those ingredients would be a great addition to this cauliflower gnocchi. Have fun with it and your taste buds will thank you!
What is traditional gnocchi?
What you need
- 1 Bag of Frozen Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Avocado oil spray or olive oil spray
- Air Fryer, Skillet or a Baking Sheet
How To Cook Cauliflower Gnocchi
There are a number of different ways to cook frozen gnocchi. The first and most important rule, do NOT follow the package directions.
I encourage you to stick with one of these 3 methods for cooking cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s – they are just as easy as the package directions with a tastier result. Let’s get started!
Air Fryer Method
- Prep for Frying: Preheat your Air Fryer to 390°F. Place the frozen gnocchi in a single layer in the basket. You may have to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly coat with avocado or olive oil spray.
- Fry: Air fry the cauliflower gnocchi for 11-13 minutes. About halfway though, remove the basket from the Air Fryer and shake it. Return it to the fryer until the gnocchi is cooked thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove the gnocchi from the Air Fryer basket and serve immediately or toss with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Skillet Method
- Heat Oil & Add Gnocchi: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen cauliflower gnocchi from the bag to the skillet and spread it in an even layer.
- Cook: Let the gnocchi cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Do not attempt to flip if the gnocchi is still sticking, as that means they are not ready yet.
- Flip & Continue Cooking Once the gnocchi can easily be moved without sticking, use a spatula to flip them. Continue to cook for an additional 8 minutes while stirring and shaking the pan regularly to ensure even browning.
- Serve: Once all the gnocchi have an even golden tone, they’re finished cooking. Remove them from the pan and serve immediately or toss with your favorite sauce.
Oven Method
- Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with avocado or olive oil.
- Bake: Arrange the frozen cauliflower gnocchi in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Remove the gnocchi from the baking sheet and serve immediately or toss with your favorite sauce.
Tips for Success
If this is your first time working with cauliflower gnocchi, have no fear! It’s quite forgiving and easy to work with. If you follow these helpful tips and tricks, your gnocchi is sure to be perfection.
- Oil it Up: Each cooking method uses avocado oil or olive oil, whether it’s in the form of a spray or regular cooking oil. The oil is important because it prevents the gnocchi from sticking to the surface it’s being cooked on.
- Single Layers Only: If your gnocchi doesn’t fit in a single layer in your Air Fryer basket, skillet or baking sheet with breathing room, work in batches. This will ensure the gnocchi cooks evenly.
- For Stovetop Cooking: Flipping the gnocchi over during the cooking process is important, but it’s a little finicky when cooked on the stove. You don’t want to scrape it up from the skillet to flip it over. Once it naturally stops sticking, it’s ready to be flipped.
- Add Flavor! There are tons of ways to add flavor to your cauliflower gnocchi once it’s cooked. Try sprinkling it with herbs or everything bagel seasoning, or toss it with pesto sauce or marinara! You can also add some spices and vegan cheese, if desired. Play around and try out different flavor combinations!
Variations
- Toss cauliflower gnocchi with your favorite marinara sauce (we like Rao’s), salt, pepper, and vegan Parmesan cheese (if vegan, use dairy-free cheese)
- Pesto is delicious with cauliflower gnocchi
- Sprinkle with Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning or add some some fresh sage, thyme tossed with dairy or vegan butter to create a dreamy complex
- Serve the gnocchi with a delicious red sauce
- Make Baked Feta Gnocchi with this simple Cauliflower Gnocchi Recipe
What to Serve with Cauliflower Gnocchi
This gnocchi makes a great standalone dinner, but it’s also easy to pair with other recipes. Here are some tasty ideas to get your creativity flowing!
- Serve with Roasted Veggies: These easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts are full of flavor and nutrients. They’re a crispy, caramelized side dish that beautifully compliments cauliflower gnocchi!
- Pair with Steak: This soft and fluffy gnocchi goes great with a juicy and tender cut of steak. My easy Air Fryer Steak with garlic herb butter comes to mind in particular. Mmmmmm.
- Serve with Salad: This simple Spinach Salad makes a lovely side dish for cauliflower gnocchi. It’s a healthy recipe to round out the meal and make your taste buds sing!
How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
To store: These little pillows of goodness will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just transfer the cooled gnocchi into reusable bags or containers, then store them in the fridge!
To reheat: When you’re ready to reheat the leftovers, all you have to do is microwave or air fry the gnocchi until warm. Gnocchi is great for making ahead for Sunday meal prep!
Freezer Instructions
To freeze: You can also store your cooled leftovers in the freezer, if desired. Simply lay them flat on a baking sheet and place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until frozen. Then, transfer the gnocchi to a large resealable freezer bag or an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 3 months.
To thaw: Make sure to thaw it out in the fridge before reheating.
More Easy Dinner Ideas
Want some more simple family dinners to serve your family? Add these recipes to your list!
More cauliflower recipes you will love
Learn How to Cook Cauliflower Gnocchi from frozen in 3 delicious ways with this easy tutorial! You can use the stove, the oven or the Air Fryer to cook up perfectly crispy and fluffy cauliflower gnocchi that's vegan, gluten-free, grain-free and paleo-friendly.
- 12 oz Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi frozen
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Place frozen cauliflower gnocchi in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly coat with avocado oil spray or olive oil spray.
Air fry for 11-13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Remove from air fryer basket and serve immediately or toss with favorite sauce.
Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen cauliflower gnocchi from the bag and add to the skillet, spreading in an even layer.
Let the gnocchi cook UNDISTURBED for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Do not attempt to flip if the gnocchi is still sticking as that means they are not ready yet.
Once the gnocchi can easily be moved without sticking, use a spatula to flip and continue to cook an additional 8 minutes while stirring and shaking the pan regularly to ensure even browning.
Once the gnocchi all have an even golden tone, they are finished cooking. Remove from pan and serve immediately or toss with favorite sauce.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with avocado oil or olive oil.
Arrange frozen cauliflower gnocchi in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden, stirring halfway through.
Remove from baking sheet and serve immediately or toss with favorite sauce.
How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
To store: Transfer leftover cooled gnocchi into reusable bags or containers, then store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: When you're ready to reheat the leftovers, all you have to do is microwave or air fry the gnocchi until warm.
To freeze: You can also store your cooled leftovers in the freezer, if desired. Simply lay them flat on a baking sheet and place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until frozen. Then, transfer the gnocchi to a large resealable freezer bag or an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 3 months.
To thaw: Make sure to thaw it out in the fridge before reheating.
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