Air-Frying Eggplant: A Healthy, Tasty Treat?

Air fryer eggplant is a quick and easy dish to make, with little clean-up required. It can be used as a side dish or tossed into a main dish, like pasta or salad. It can also be used to make baba ghanoush. Air fryer eggplant is cooked in under 30 minutes and can be seasoned to perfection.

How to cut eggplant for the air fryer

Yes, you can cook eggplant in an air fryer. To cut eggplant for the air fryer, wash and dry the eggplants. Cut them in half lengthwise, or into cubes or rounds. If you want to draw the moisture out, sprinkle salt on each half and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, spread the eggplant in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400ºF and fry for 8 minutes. Toss the eggplant to ensure even cooking, then continue frying for another 7 minutes or until the eggplant is golden and crispy outside, but tender inside. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Air fryer temperature

Yes, you can cook eggplant in an air fryer. To do so, set your air fryer to 400ºF. Spread the eggplant cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are not overcrowded. Fry for 8 minutes, then toss the cubes to ensure even cooking. Continue air frying for another 7 minutes or until the eggplant is golden and crispy outside, but tender inside.

The high airflow and intense heat of the air fryer mean that you do not need to salt the eggplant first to draw out moisture. However, some recipes suggest sprinkling salt on each half of the eggplant and letting it sit for 30 minutes before cooking.

Air-fried eggplant can be used as a side dish or tossed into a main dish, such as pasta or a summer salad. It also makes an excellent base for countless other breaded versions of eggplant recipes for the air fryer, like breaded eggplant or eggplant Parmesan.

How to season eggplant

Yes, you can cook eggplant in an air fryer. To season eggplant, you can use salt and pepper to taste. You can also add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, marjoram or oregano, ground thyme, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme or parsley.

To prepare the eggplant, rinse it and then use a sharp knife to slice it widthwise into 1/2-inch slices. You can also cut it into cubes or rounds. If you want to remove excess moisture, you can let the slices sit in a coating of salt for 30-60 minutes.

To cook the eggplant in an air fryer, set the temperature to 400ºF and spread the eggplant in a single layer in the basket. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 8 minutes, then toss the eggplant to ensure even cooking. Continue air frying for another 7 minutes or until the eggplant is golden and crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside. Serve immediately for the best texture.

How to make baba ghanoush with air fryer eggplant

Yes, you can cook eggplant in an air fryer. Here's how to make baba ghanoush with air fryer eggplant:

First, wash and dry your eggplants. Cut them in half and sprinkle salt on each half. Leave the eggplants for 30 minutes to draw out the moisture. Set your air fryer to 400ºF. Place the eggplants in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Fry for 8 minutes, then toss the eggplants to ensure even cooking. Continue air frying for another 7 minutes or until the eggplants are golden and crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside.

Once the eggplants are cooked, you can use them to make baba ghanoush. This is a simple dip that can be served as a snack or appetizer. The air fryer helps to cook the eggplants evenly and gives them a nice crispy texture. You can also chop up the eggplants or cut them into rounds to create a side dish or add them to a main dish, like pasta. Eggplant is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes. It is also a part of the Mediterranean diet and is often overlooked, but it is easy to cook and can be very tasty.

How to avoid mushy eggplant

Yes, you can cook eggplant in an air fryer. To avoid mushy eggplant, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, make sure the eggplant is in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and don't overcrowd it. This will ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the eggplant in batches. Secondly, it is important to remove moisture from the eggplant before cooking. One way to do this is by sprinkling salt on the eggplant and letting it sit for 30 minutes, then patting it dry with a paper towel. Another method is to roughly peel the eggplant, which will help to remove some of the moisture. Finally, flipping the eggplant halfway through the cooking process will help to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess. By following these steps, you can enjoy crispy, golden eggplant that is tender on the inside.

Frequently asked questions