Quick and Delicious Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
Enjoy a cheesy and crispy delight with our air fryer eggplant recipe, ready in just 15 minutes and requiring only four simple ingredients. This speedy method delivers a scrumptious, golden-brown coating that’s hard to beat.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Eggplant:
- Savory, cheesy flavor with caramelized edges.
- Revel in the crispy exterior and tender interior.
- Say goodbye to extra dishes; it’s a no-mess recipe.
- Gather just four basic ingredients (plus salt).
- Whip it up in a mere 10 minutes.
- Naturally low in carbs and gluten-free.
- A breeze to prepare – a healthy vegetable side dish.
How to cook air fryer eggplant
Ingredients
Eggplant: Opt for deep purple eggplants with smooth, unblemished skin. Smaller eggplants are preferable for their milder flavor and fewer seeds.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended, but light olive oil or avocado oil will also work.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Ensure it’s finely grated for that crispy texture. If preferred, use a 50/50 mixture of parmesan and breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs alone for a vegan option.
Italian Seasoning: Use store-bought or homemade Italian seasoning. You can also experiment with single dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary, adding spices like garlic powder or paprika.
Instructions on How To Cook Eggplant In The Air Fryer
- Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick circles. Pat them dry with paper towels.
Tip: Cut off the leafy end after slicing for easier handling.
- Drizzle olive oil over the eggplant slices and season both sides with sea salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes until they’re soft and the cheese turns golden brown. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley.
Tip: Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking.
Storage Instructions:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To maintain crispness, reheat the eggplant in the air fryer or briefly pan fry it. Microwaving may make it soggy.
- Freezing is not recommended as the Parmesan coating may become soggy.
What To Pair With Air-Fried Eggplant
This versatile vegetable can be served as a delightful appetizer (dipped in marinara or plain tomato sauce) or a convenient side dish to complement a variety of main courses:
Chicken – Enjoy it alongside dishes like lemon garlic chicken or air-fryer chicken wings. In fact, it pairs well with almost any chicken recipe.
Fish – For a delectable seafood combination, consider serving it with pan-seared salmon featuring a luscious lemon butter sauce, flaky air-fried cod, or, for a more upscale option, halibut.
Steak – Pair it with an air-fried steak for a convenient one-appliance meal, a straightforward sirloin steak that can be prepared while your eggplant is air-frying, or opt for something a bit unique like chimichurri steak.
Noodles – Accompany your favorite pasta with air-fried eggplant, or opt for veggie-centric alternatives such as zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Eggplant Lasagna – Substitute air-fried eggplant for the traditional roasted eggplant slices in your eggplant lasagna recipe. You can also create eggplant Parmesan by layering it with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, topped with fresh basil.
Tools for This Recipe:
- Air Fryer (a large basket type is recommended)
Ingredients:
- 1 medium Eggplant, sliced
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch circles. Cut off the leafy end only after slicing. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle or brush olive oil over the eggplant slices and season with sea salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the eggplant is soft and the cheese is golden brown. Repeat in batches as needed.
Recipe Notes:
Serving size: 4 slices or 1/4 of the entire recipe
Nutrition facts (per serving):
Calories: 202
Fat: 14.4g
Protein: 10.9g
Total Carbs: 8.6g
Net Carbs: 4.7g
Fiber: 3.9g
Sugar: 4.3g
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Quick and Delicious Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium Eggplant sliced
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch circles. Cut off the leafy end only after slicing. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle or brush olive oil over the eggplant slices and season with sea salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the eggplant is soft and the cheese is golden brown. Repeat in batches as needed.
