Are you craving a delicious meal that’s both hearty and healthy? Look no further than this Air Fryer Eggplant recipe! This recipe puts a fun, healthy twist on eating eggplant by adding some breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Even if you don’t like eggplant or are skeptical about trying it, trust us, this recipe will become your new favorite way to eat eggplant! So, keep reading if you want to know how to make this delicious Air Fryer Eggplant!
Why You'll Love Eggplant in the Air Fryer
You'll love this recipe because it's a great way to get your veggies in without feeling like you're eating vegetables. The depth of flavor from each ingredient melts together to give you a dish you'll cook on repeat.
In addition, this recipe is straightforward and won't take up much of your time, making it perfect for people who don't have time to cook.
Plus, this recipe makes enough for leftovers so that you can eat them throughout the week! So, grab your Air Fryer and get ready to cook some tasty eggplant!
Tips:
- 30 minutes sitting with salt on both sides is perfect. If you go less it will be watery and too long they get a bit "chalky"
- If cut smaller than ¼ inch the cooking time will be less.
- I shredded fresh Parmiggiano, as it makes a better crust than prepackaged shredded parmesan.
- I had to add 1 extra egg as my eggplant was about 11-12 slices
- My Cosori 5.8 qt cooked 8 minutes on each side and they were perfect.
Ingredients
- Eggplant, Sliced Into ¼ inch Rounds
- Egg
- Panko Bread Crumbs
- All Purpose Flour
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Sea Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
How to Make Eggplant in the Air Fryer
Preheat the Air Fryer to 370 degrees F. Prepare the Air Fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray such as avocado oil if needed.
Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt on both sides and place in a large colander to drain for 30 minutes.
Whisk the egg in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
Combine the panko breadcrumbs, flour, Parmesan cheese, salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl.
Pat the eggplant pieces dry with paper towels.
Dip the eggplant slices into the egg mixture and then the panko breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
Drizzle the coated eggplant slices with olive oil.
Place the breaded eggplant in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket.
Air Fry for 16-18 minutes until the eggplant slices are golden brown. Flip the eggplant slices halfway through the cooking time. Work in batches if necessary.
Carefully remove the eggplant from the Air Fryer basket.
Serve with pasta marinara sauce on the side or on top of each slice.
Air Fryer Eggplant FAQs:
What other seasonings pair well with this eggplant Air Fryer recipe?
This recipe pairs well with onion powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
What can I substitute for all-purpose flour?
You can use almond flour instead of regular flour. Make sure to use a 1:1 ratio for substituting for regular flour.
Is Air Fryer Eggplant low carb?
Yes! Since this recipe is mostly eggplant with minimal carbs, this recipe is considered low carb!
Can I use Mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan cheese?
Absolutely! Mozzarella provides a different flavor profile than Parmesan, but you're more than welcome to use it!
How to store the eggplant slices?
You can store the eggplant slices in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
How to get crispy eggplant slices?
Make sure you only use a small amount of oil, or else the eggplant rounds will get soggy. However, if you accidentally use too much oil, pat away any excess oil.
What garnish pairs well with this recipe?
A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top of each eggplant slice is a great combo for this recipe.
What is the best way to eat this recipe?
This eggplant parmesan makes a great veggie side dish or as your main course.
How thick should my eggplant slices be?
You can create thin slices or thick slices. It depends on if you want a crispy texture or a more dense texture.
Can I use Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko?
You sure can! Italian breadcrumbs are a great addition to this recipe because of the Italian seasoning in the breadcrumbs.
Can I batch the eggplant slices by stacking them on top of one another?
We recommend sticking to only a single layer of eggplant slices as they will cook more evenly this way. If you put too many in the basket, they will cook unevenly or not crisp up.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:
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Air Fryer Eggplant
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant sliced into 1.4 inch rounds
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 370 degrees F. Prepare the Air Fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray such as avocado oil if needed.
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt on both sides and place in a large colander to drain for 30 minutes.
- Whisk the egg in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the panko breadcrumbs, flour, Parmesan cheese, salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl.
- Pat the eggplant pieces dry with paper towels.
- Dip the eggplant slices into the egg mixture and then the panko breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
- Drizzle the coated eggplant slices with olive oil.
- Place the breaded eggplant in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket and Air Fry for 17-20 minutes until the eggplant slices are golden brown. Flip the eggplant slices halfway through the cooking time. Work in batches if necessary.
- Carefully remove the eggplant from the Air Fryer basket.
- Serve with pasta marinara sauce on the side or on top of each slice.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.
©AirFryingFoodie 2021
Newbie here - when you say “drizzle with olive oil” does every part of the eggplant need to be covered in oil?
Actually just a light coating over the eggplant would be sufficient.
"1.4 inch rounds", 1/4 inch rounds?
YES!!! Thanks for pointing that out. 🙂