Air-Fryer Eggplant — Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook eggplant, yielding a crispy exterior and a soft interior. The high heat and airflow of an air fryer make for a perfectly roasted eggplant without needing to pre-salt the vegetable. However, pre-salting can help remove excess liquid and bitterness, and is recommended by some recipes. When cooking eggplant in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the slices are evenly sized and not overcrowded in the basket, so as to avoid soggy or undercooked eggplant.

How to prepare the eggplant

First, select a fresh, firm eggplant—the most common variety is the Italian eggplant, but you can also use Japanese, Chinese, or Indian eggplant. You can cut the eggplant into slices, cubes, or rounds, but make sure the pieces are evenly sized and no thicker than half an inch to ensure even cooking.

Next, sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant pieces and let them rest for 15-30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. This step is optional but recommended for optimal flavour and texture. After salting, pat the eggplant dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Now it's time to season the eggplant. For sliced eggplant, brush both sides of the slices with oil, then sprinkle with your choice of seasonings. For cubed eggplant, place the pieces in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and toss until well combined, then add your seasonings. Suggested seasonings include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, rosemary, parsley, and thyme.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F, and place the eggplant inside in a single layer, ensuring the pieces don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the eggplant in batches. Air fry for 9-20 minutes, flipping the eggplant halfway through, until it reaches your desired level of crispness.

You can serve air-fried eggplant as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, and it pairs well with a variety of dips and sauces, including marinara, tzatziki, and marinades.

The best oil to use

When making eggplant in an air fryer, it is important to choose an oil with a high smoke point. This is because air fryers cook at high temperatures.

Avocado oil is recommended by a dietitian in one source, who also notes that you can use your favourite go-to cooking oil. Other sources recommend olive oil, and one suggests that you can use avocado or olive oil spray (but not extra virgin olive oil, which will burn).

One source recommends extra virgin olive oil, but this is for a recipe in which the eggplant is coated in breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, and then drizzled with oil.

Seasoning suggestions

There are many ways to season your eggplant before air frying it. Here are some suggestions:

• Salt and pepper : Seasoning your eggplant with salt and pepper is a simple way to let the natural flavour of the eggplant shine.
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper: Using olive oil will help to prevent the eggplant from burning or drying up in the air fryer.
• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika: This combination of spices will give your eggplant a robust, savoury flavour.
• Avocado oil, kosher salt, black pepper, chilli flakes, and thyme: Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it a good choice for the high temperatures of the air fryer.
• Parmesan cheese: Adding Parmesan cheese to your breadcrumb mixture will give your eggplant a rich, nutty flavour.
• Panko breadcrumbs: These will give your eggplant a crispy texture.
• Almond flour: Almond flour will add nuttiness and crunch to your eggplant.
• Za'atar or sumac: These Middle Eastern spices can be used to season your eggplant before air frying, or they can be sprinkled on top of the cooked eggplant.
• Lemon juice: A squeeze of lemon juice will add a fresh flavour to your cooked eggplant.
• Parsley, oregano, and thyme: Fresh herbs like these will add a flavourful finishing touch to your air-fried eggplant.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for eggplant in an air fryer will depend on the size and type of eggplant you are using, as well as your preferred texture. Most recipes suggest a temperature between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooking time of 10 to 20 minutes.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking eggplant slices in an air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes, while another suggests cooking eggplant cubes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your eggplant slices or cubes. Thicker slices or cubes will take longer to cook, while thinner ones will cook faster. So, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your eggplant while it is cooking in the air fryer and adjust the timing as needed.

Additionally, it is recommended to flip or shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to prevent the eggplant from sticking to the basket and to ensure even cooking.

Some recipes also suggest pre-treating the eggplant by sprinkling it with salt and letting it rest for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps to remove excess liquid and some of the bitterness from the eggplant, resulting in a better texture and flavour. However, this step is not necessary for all recipes, especially if you are short on time or using eggplant during its peak season.

Overall, cooking eggplant in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this versatile vegetable, and you can experiment with different temperatures and cooking times to find the method that works best for you.

How to serve the eggplant

Eggplant is a versatile ingredient that can be grilled, sautéed, steamed, pan-fried, or stuffed and baked. Here are some ways to serve it:

As a Side Dish

Air-fried eggplant slices can be served as a side dish with a dip, such as marinara sauce, basil tomato sauce, or creamy tzatziki. They also pair well with a protein-packed main course, like Mediterranean dishes, or a hearty main, like classic pot roast.

With Grains

Air-fried eggplant can be added to cooked grains like quinoa salad, bulgur, or pasta recipes. For example, you can sprinkle it with parmesan cheese, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley, and serve it over pasta with marinara sauce.

As a Main Course

To make air-fried eggplant the star of the show, serve it over pasta tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs, and add a dollop of marinara or fresh tomato sauce and cashew cream on top.

As an Appetizer

You can bread the eggplant slices by coating them in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, almond flour, and parmesan cheese, and then air-frying them to golden brown perfection. These crispy, nutty slices make a great appetizer and can be served with a dip.

In a Salad

Air-fried eggplant can be added to salads, like a couscous salad or a Mediterranean quinoa salad.

As a Meat or Pasta Substitute

Eggplant can be used as a meat or pasta substitute. For example, it can be included in pasta sauces, baked dishes, or relishes.

Grilled, Mashed, and Mixed

Grilled eggplant can be mashed and mixed with seasonings to make the Middle Eastern dish, baba ghanoush.

With Other Vegetables

Eggplant can be grilled with vegetables, or sautéed with sliced bell peppers, onion, zucchini, summer squash, cubed potatoes, cauliflower, and shallots.

In a Curry

Eggplant is used in curries in Southern India.

Pickled or Fried in Tempura Batter

In Asia, eggplant is pickled, braised with pork, or fried in tempura batter.

Baked and Stuffed

Eggplant can be halved, stuffed, and baked. For example, you can stuff it with a mixture of its own flesh, breadcrumbs, and other ingredients, and bake it in the oven.

Skewered and Grilled

Eggplant can be skewered and grilled.

In a Casserole

Eggplant can be layered with cheese, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and meat to make a Mediterranean casserole.

In a Taco

Roasted eggplant can be added to vegetarian tacos with avocado sauce.

In a Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a Provençal stew made from eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes.

Battered and Fried

Eggplant slices can be coated in egg and breadcrumbs and then deep-fried.

Frequently asked questions