Air Fryer Eggplant: Perfect Timing For Crispy Veggies

Air fryer eggplants are a quick and easy meal to make. Depending on the recipe, they can be cooked in as little as 9 minutes or up to 25 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the eggplant slices, the temperature of the air fryer, and the desired level of crispiness.

Air fryer temperature for eggplant

To cook eggplant in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) or 400ºF. Rinse your eggplant under cold water to remove any dirt. Slice the eggplant into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. Half-inch slices work well for air frying. Pat the eggplant slices dry, dip them into the egg, and then into the panko mixture. Place on a plate as you work and then drizzle the slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with a small amount of salt and pepper and your favourite spices. Place in a single layer in the air fryer and air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown, flipping halfway through cooking. Work in batches if necessary.

If you are cooking eggplant cubes, toss them with oil, salt, and black pepper and red chilli flakes (if using). Air fry at 400ºF for 8 minutes, toss, and cook about 7 minutes more, until the eggplant is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

How to prepare eggplant for the air fryer

Preparing eggplant for the air fryer is simple. First, rinse the eggplant under cold water to remove any dirt. Then, pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel. Next, brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings or spices. You can also toss the eggplant cubes with oil, salt, black pepper, and red chilli flakes. If you want to make the eggplant slices extra crispy, dip them into egg and then into a panko mixture before placing them in the air fryer. Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through. For an extra crispy outside crust, use cold eggplant straight from the fridge. Depending on your preference, eggplant cooked in an air fryer should be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

How long to cook eggplant cubes in an air fryer

Cooking eggplant cubes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty vegetable. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer you have and your desired level of crispiness.

If you have a basket model, you should cook the eggplant cubes for around 8-10 minutes, tossing them halfway through to ensure even cooking. If you like your eggplant cubes extra crispy, you can cook them for a further 7 minutes.

If you have an oven-type air fryer with trays, you can cook the eggplant cubes for 18 minutes without needing to toss them. However, if you prefer a less crispy texture, you can reduce the cooking time to 12 minutes, flipping the cubes halfway through.

Regardless of the model, it is important to ensure that the eggplant cubes are spread out evenly in the air fryer to avoid overcrowding and promote even cooking.

How to get crispy eggplant in an air fryer

Cooking eggplant in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, tender eggplant. The cooking time depends on the size of your eggplant slices, but generally, it takes between 8 and 25 minutes.

To get the best results, start by rinsing your eggplant under cold water to remove any dirt. Then, slice the eggplant into even, half-inch pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. You can also cut the eggplant into cubes if you prefer. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

Next, lightly brush or spray both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil. You can also dip the slices in egg before coating them in a panko mixture for an extra crispy texture. Season the eggplant with salt, pepper, and your desired spices. If you like your food spicy, you can add red chilli flakes.

Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the crispiness. Set your air fryer to 375-400°F and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. The eggplant is ready when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy eggplant from the comfort of your own home!

Vegan air fryer eggplant

Cooking vegan eggplant in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty vegetable. The air fryer makes eggplant irresistible, with a crispy outside and a tender inside.

To make vegan air fryer eggplant, start by rinsing the eggplant under cold water to remove any dirt. Then, pat the eggplant slices dry and dip them into a mixture of ¼ cup nut milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed. Next, dip the slices into a panko mixture. Place the slices on a plate and drizzle with olive oil. You can also brush or spray both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your choice of seasonings and spices.

Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the eggplant is golden brown and crispy. For extra crispy eggplant, use cold eggplant straight from the fridge and cook at 400ºF for 8 minutes, toss, and then cook for about 7 minutes more. If you prefer your eggplant softer, cook at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the eggplant is soft and cooked through.

You can serve your vegan air fryer eggplant with pasta, scoops of tomato sauce, dollops of cashew cream, basil, red pepper flakes, and a final drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions