Air Fryer Eggplant: How Long To Fry?

Air fryer eggplant is a quick and easy dish to make, with most recipes taking under 30 minutes to cook. The cooking time depends on the size of the eggplant pieces and the temperature setting used. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a side or incorporated into salads, casseroles, stews, and more. The key to getting crispy air fryer eggplant is to ensure there is no excess moisture, and to cut the eggplant into evenly sized pieces before cooking.

How to prepare the eggplant for the air fryer

Preparing eggplant for the air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow for the best results. Here's a detailed guide on how to prepare eggplant for air frying:

Selecting and Cutting the Eggplant:

• Choose a fresh, firm eggplant, preferably a globe eggplant as it's the most common variety available in grocery stores. You can also use Japanese or Chinese eggplant.
• Cut the eggplant into even slices or cubes. For slices, aim for a thickness of about ¼ to ½ inch. For cubes, go for 1-inch pieces.

Salting and Resting the Eggplant:

• This step is optional but recommended for optimal flavour and texture. Sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant slices or cubes.
• Place the salted eggplant on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or colander and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. This process helps draw out excess liquid and reduces bitterness.

Drying and Seasoning the Eggplant:

• After resting, pat the eggplant dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
• For sliced eggplant, brush both sides of the slices with oil, then season with your choice of seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• For cubed eggplant, place the cubes in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and toss until well coated. Then, add your desired seasonings and toss again to coat evenly.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will give you a nice crispy texture.

Air Frying the Eggplant:

• Place the seasoned eggplant in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces don't overlap. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry for 12 to 20 minutes, flipping the eggplant halfway through the cooking process. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your eggplant slices or cubes.
• The eggplant is done when it's crispy, golden brown, and tender. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can dry out and become tough.

How long to cook eggplant in the air fryer

Cooking eggplant in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty and versatile vegetable. The length of time it takes to cook eggplant in an air fryer depends on the size of the eggplant pieces and the temperature setting you use.

The ideal air fryer temperature for eggplant is around 370–400°F. At this temperature, it will take approximately 10–20 minutes to cook eggplant in an air fryer. For example, one source recommends cooking eggplant slices in an air fryer at 370°F for 10–12 minutes, while another suggests cooking eggplant at 400°F for 12 minutes.

It's important to keep an eye on your eggplant while it's cooking, as the timing will depend on the thickness of your slices and the type of air fryer you have. Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the eggplant; if the knife goes in and out easily, it's done. If there is resistance on the blade, continue cooking in one-minute increments until tender.

Tips for Cooking Eggplant in an Air Fryer

• Cut the eggplant into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the eggplant in batches if needed.
• Flip the eggplant halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• Remove excess moisture from the eggplant before cooking by sprinkling with salt and letting it rest for 15–30 minutes. This step is optional but helps to improve the texture and flavour.
• Brush the eggplant with oil before cooking to improve crispness and browning.
• Season the eggplant with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.

How to serve air fryer eggplant

There are many ways to serve air fryer eggplant, and it makes a great side dish or appetizer. Here are some ideas:

As a Side Dish

Air fryer eggplant can be served as a side to complement a range of main courses. Its crispy texture and savoury taste go well with protein-packed dishes, such as chicken or seafood. It is also a tasty addition to cooked grains like quinoa salad or pasta recipes. For a Mediterranean-inspired meal, serve it with dishes like Greek Yogurt Chicken, Mediterranean Lemon Chicken, or Brined Chicken Wings.

As an Appetizer

Air fryer eggplant also works well as an appetizer, especially when served with a dip. Try it with marinara sauce, tzatziki, or a little Greek yogurt seasoned with salt and drizzled with olive oil.

As Part of a Mediterranean Spread

Air fryer eggplant is a great addition to a Mediterranean spread, especially when served with dishes like Greek Chickpea Salad, Musabaha (Whole Chickpea Hummus), or Falafel Pitas.

In a Salad

You can also chop up air fryer eggplant or cut it into rounds to create a salad. It is a great addition to summer salads with vegetables and chickpeas. Try it in a Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Lemon Arugula Salad, or Mediterranean Bean Salad.

In a Main Dish

Air fryer eggplant can be incorporated into main dishes like pasta. It adds a slightly crispy texture when mixed with pasta. You can also make eggplant parmigiana by adding a layer of marinara sauce or tomato sauce and some mozzarella cheese.

As a Snack

For a low-carb snack, simply season the air fryer eggplant with your choice of spices. You can also cube the eggplant before cooking, tossing it in olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and spices to create a nice crust.

In a Dip

Air fryer eggplant is perfect for making dips like baba ghanoush, a Lebanese dip made with roasted eggplant, garlic, tahini, and spices.

Customizations

When serving air fryer eggplant, feel free to get creative with spices and seasonings. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, sumac, za'atar, and cayenne red pepper. You can also experiment with different types of eggplants, such as Japanese or Chinese eggplant, to find your preferred variety.

How to store air fryer eggplant

Storing air fryer eggplant is simple and will ensure your delicious dish stays fresh and tasty for longer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to store air fryer eggplant:

Step 1: Allow the Eggplant to Cool

Firstly, let your air-fried eggplant reach room temperature. This is important as you don't want to trap excess heat in your storage container, which can affect the quality of your eggplant.

Step 2: Transfer to an Airtight Container

Once your eggplant has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. This will help keep your eggplant fresh and prevent it from drying out or absorbing other flavours from your refrigerator.

Step 3: Place in the Refrigerator

Store your airtight container of eggplant in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days.

Step 4: Reheat and Serve

When you're ready to enjoy your eggplant again, simply reheat it in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about two minutes, or in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for around five to eight minutes. Before serving, drain any excess liquid that may have accumulated during storage.

Freezing Option

If you want to store your air fryer eggplant for longer, you can freeze it. Place the room-temperature eggplant pieces in a freezer bag or airtight container, separating each layer with wax paper to prevent the pieces from fusing together. Your eggplant will stay fresh in the freezer for up to two months.

To thaw, place the container in the refrigerator overnight, and then follow the reheating instructions above.

How to cut eggplant for the air fryer

To cut eggplant for the air fryer, you can follow these steps:

First, decide whether you want to slice or cube your eggplant. For slices, cut your eggplant into either 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch slabs. For cubes, cut your eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again horizontally. After that, make thin slices lengthwise down each section, and then chop into cubes by cutting perpendicular to those slices. Aim for cubes that are around 1 inch in size, but don't worry about making them all completely uniform.

Next, place the chopped eggplant onto a sheet pan lined with paper towels, or spread it out onto a large flat surface. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt, especially if you want to draw out excess moisture. Let the salted eggplant rest for 15-30 minutes.

Once the eggplant has rested, pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Try to remove as much excess moisture as possible.

Now you're ready to season the eggplant. For sliced eggplant, brush both sides of the slices with oil, then sprinkle with your chosen seasonings. For cubed eggplant, place the cubes in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and toss until well combined. Then, sprinkle with your chosen seasonings.

Finally, place the eggplant in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure not to overlap or overcrowd the slices. If necessary, cook the eggplant in batches.

Now your eggplant is ready to be cooked to crispy perfection!

Frequently asked questions