Crunchy Greek Pasta Salad: Vegan Feta and Mediterranean Olives

Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta of your choice in boiling salted water, following the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large plate or baking sheet, spreading it out. Mix with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside, ensuring it cools a little.

Prepare the crispy dough in the air fryer: A portion of the cooked dough will be the crispy star of this salad. In simple terms: Lightly brush about 1/3 of the dough with olive oil. Bake in the air fryer at 180°C for 8-10 minutes, shaking occasionally, until golden and crispy. Stay alert to the ideal doneness.

Cut the vegetables: While the dough cools and another part browns, prepare the fresh vegetables. Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Peel the cucumber, if desired, and cut it into small, uniform cubes. Slice the red onion into thin rings. Have everything ready for the assembly step.

Chop the remaining ingredients: Chop the Kalamata olives in half and crumble the vegan feta into small pieces. Make sure all components are ready for assembly, ensuring a harmonious mix of flavors and textures. The short answer is: organize everything to optimize your time. Careful preparation makes the difference.

Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Mix vigorously until you get a homogeneous sauce. The most important tip is to taste and adjust the seasoning, ensuring that the sauce perfectly enhances the salad.

Combine the salad: In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives. Drizzle with the prepared sauce. Mix gently so that all ingredients are well incorporated and absorb the flavors. The professional technique is to use a spatula, ensuring the vegetables remain intact and fresh.

Add the feta and the crunchy dough: The most important tip is to add the crumbled vegan feta and the crispy air fryer dough only at the time of serving. This ensures the best texture and freshness for every bite. Mix lightly. Finish with fresh mint leaves, if desired. Serve and enjoy immediately, taking advantage of the crunchiness.