Frying Eggplant: Air Fryer Tips And Tricks

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook eggplant, and a great alternative to stovetop frying or oven-roasting. Depending on the type of eggplant and the size of the pieces, it usually takes between 12 and 20 minutes to cook eggplant in an air fryer.

How to prepare the eggplant

First, select your eggplant. You can use a globe eggplant, Japanese eggplant, Chinese eggplant, or even a long, skinny, lighter-coloured eggplant. If you're using an American eggplant, you may want to use the soaking method to draw out moisture and improve the texture.

Next, cut the eggplant into your desired shape. You can cut it into slices or cubes. If you're making eggplant fries, cut the eggplant into sticks of even thickness to ensure even cooking.

Now, it's time to season the eggplant. You can simply sprinkle it with salt, or get creative with spices like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, red chilli flakes, or fresh thyme. If you want a more complex flavour, you can toss the eggplant in a mixture of olive oil, salt, and your choice of spices.

After seasoning, let the eggplant rest for about 15 minutes. This step helps remove excess moisture, resulting in a crispier texture. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat the eggplant dry.

If you're using a batter, dip the eggplant slices or cubes into a mixture of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat all sides evenly.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 360-400°F (180-200°C). Place the eggplant in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook for about 12-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the eggplant is crispy and golden brown.

The ideal temperature and cook time

For example, if you are using a Chinese or Japanese eggplant, you can cook it at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. However, if you are using an Italian or American eggplant, you may need to increase the cooking time and adjust the temperature.

If you are cutting your eggplant into slices, you should aim for a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Slices of this thickness can be cooked at 370°F for 17 to 20 minutes, or at 400°F for about 12 minutes.

If you are cutting your eggplant into cubes, you should also aim for a thickness of about 1/2 an inch. Cubes of this size can be cooked at 400°F for about 12 minutes, or at 400°F for 8 minutes, tossed, and then cooked for another 7 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific air fryer you are using, the thickness of your eggplant pieces, and how densely you pack the air fryer basket. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a close eye on your eggplant after the 10-minute mark to ensure perfect doneness.

How to serve air fryer eggplant

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

As a Side Dish

Air fryer eggplant is a tasty accompaniment to a variety of main courses. Its crispy texture and silky middle make it a perfect pairing for juicy burgers, such as air fryer turkey burgers, or a succulent steak, like air fryer tuna steak. It can also be served with Indian recipes like chicken korma, simple fish dinners like panko-crusted cod, or a mixed dish like crockpot lazy lasagna.

It's delicious served with a dip, such as marinara sauce, basil tomato sauce, or creamy tzatziki. You could also serve it with a simple Greek yogurt seasoned with salt and drizzled with olive oil.

As a Main Course

Air fryer eggplant can be served as a main course in several ways. For a more substantial meal, serve it over pasta tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs, and add a dollop of marinara or fresh tomato sauce and cashew cream.

You can also incorporate it into cooked grains, such as quinoa salad or cooked bulgur, or add it to pasta recipes like eggplant pomodoro.

As a Starter or Appetizer

Air fryer eggplant also works well as a starter or appetizer. For a simple option, serve it with a little Greek yogurt seasoned with salt and drizzled with olive oil.

Dietary Requirements

Air fryer eggplant is a versatile dish that can cater to various dietary requirements. It can be made gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, vegan, and keto-friendly. For a vegan option, simply replace the egg with a mixture of nut milk and ground flaxseed, and use vegan Parmesan.

Seasoning and Spices

You can experiment with different seasonings and spices to add extra flavor to your air fryer eggplant. Here are some suggestions:

• Fresh thyme
• Red pepper flakes
• Basil
• Parsley
• Lemon juice
• Honey and garlic
• Lemon and thyme
• Chili powder or harissa paste
• Thai chili peppers
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Chili oil

What type of eggplant to use

When it comes to choosing the right type of eggplant to use in your air fryer, there are several varieties that work well. Here are some options to consider:

Globe Eggplant

The globe eggplant is the most common type of eggplant found in grocery stores. It has a classic egg-like shape, a dark purple colour, and a glossy skin. This variety tends to have a sweeter taste and fewer seeds, making it a good choice for air frying.

Chinese and Japanese Eggplants

Chinese and Japanese eggplants are long and skinny, with a firm texture and thin skin. They are an excellent choice for the air fryer because they cook quickly and crisp up nicely with minimal oil. These varieties are also less watery, which helps them achieve a desirable crispy texture.

Italian Eggplant

Italian eggplants have a slightly firmer texture than Chinese and Japanese eggplants, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. However, they still work well in the air fryer and produce delicious results.

Baby Eggplants

Baby eggplants are smaller and more compact than the other varieties. They can be used in the air fryer, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly due to their smaller size.

Long, Skinny, Lighter-Coloured Eggplants

In addition to the more common varieties, there are also long, skinny eggplants with a lighter colour. These can be used in the air fryer, and their shape provides more surface area for crisping.

No matter which type of eggplant you choose, the air fryer is an excellent way to cook it. It produces a beautifully charred exterior with a tender texture inside, and it's a healthier alternative to stovetop cooking since it uses less oil.

How to cut the eggplant

The first step in preparing your eggplant in an air fryer is to cut the eggplant into your desired shape. You can cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes or 1/2-inch slices, depending on whether you prefer cubed or sliced eggplant. If you are new to slicing eggplant, here is a step-by-step guide:

• To safely cut a wobbly, round eggplant, first, take a thin slice off one side and place this flat side on a cutting board to stabilize it.
• Cut the eggplant into lengthwise slabs.
• Stack these slabs and cut them into long strips.
• Cut the strips crosswise to form cubes.

Alternatively, you can cut the eggplant into bite-sized, irregular triangular pieces, which will have more edges to char.

It is important to cut the eggplant into evenly sized pieces so that they cook more evenly.

Tips for Cutting and Preparing Eggplant:

• To prevent a wobbly eggplant from rolling around, take a thin slice off one side and place the flat side on a cutting board before cutting the rest.
• For a crispy outside crust, use cold eggplant straight from the fridge. Room-temperature eggplant may become soft before it gets crispy.
• Remove excess moisture by salting the eggplant in advance to draw out excess water. If using an air fryer, the hot air will dry out the surface sufficiently.

Frequently asked questions