Air-Fried Eggplant: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook eggplant, and it only takes about 10-20 minutes. The result is a delicious, healthy, and versatile dish that can be served as a side or a snack. You can cut the eggplant into slices, cubes, or fries, and season it with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and other spices of your choice. You can also bread the eggplant with panko breadcrumbs, almond flour, and Parmesan cheese for a crispy texture. The key to getting crispy eggplant is to remove the excess moisture by salting and letting it rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking. You can serve air-fried eggplant with a dipping sauce, such as marinara or tzatziki, or as a side dish with proteins like chicken or seafood.

How to cut and prepare eggplant

Step 1: Clean and Trim the Eggplant

Start by rinsing the eggplant under cold running water. Dry the surface with a paper towel or a clean kitchen cloth. Then, trim off the stem.

Step 2: Peel or Partially Peel the Eggplant

Depending on the variety of eggplant, you may need to peel it. For example, the American eggplant has tough and bitter skin, so it's best to remove it. However, for other varieties, a partial peel can add texture to the dish.

Step 3: Cut the Eggplant into Desired Shapes

You can cut the eggplant into slices or cubes, depending on your preference. For slices, cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then slice each half to your desired thickness. For cubes, cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut each half into smaller sections before chopping into cubes.

Step 4: Treat with Lemon Juice (Optional)

The flesh of the eggplant tends to brown quickly when exposed to air. To minimise this, brush the cut surfaces with lemon juice. This step can be skipped if browning is desired or if the eggplant will be cooked immediately.

Step 5: Salt the Eggplant (Optional)

Salting the eggplant is an optional step that can help remove excess moisture and reduce the bitterness of certain varieties. If you choose to salt, sprinkle both sides of the slices or cubes generously with salt. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt for a medium-sized eggplant. Let the eggplant rest for 15 to 30 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels to remove the excess moisture.

Step 6: Season the Eggplant

Place the eggplant slices or cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss until well coated. Then, sprinkle your desired seasonings over the eggplant and toss or stir until evenly distributed. Recommended seasonings include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, and smoked paprika.

Your eggplant is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

How to cook eggplant in the air fryer

How to Cook Eggplant in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1-inch cubes or 1/2-inch slices
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Spices (e.g. rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning)
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, almond flour, panko breadcrumbs, egg

Method

• Prepare the eggplant: Roughly peel the eggplant and cut it into your desired shape. It's recommended to slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds or 1-inch cubes. You can also slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds if you want to make eggplant chips.
• Salt the eggplant: Place the sliced eggplant on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt on both sides. This step helps to remove excess liquid and bitterness. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Brush with oil and season: Drizzle or brush both sides of the eggplant slices with oil. Sprinkle or toss the eggplant with your desired spices and seasonings. You can use a simple mixture of salt and garlic powder, or get creative with spices like rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. If you want to make eggplant Parmesan, you can also dip the slices in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, almond flour, and Parmesan cheese before air frying.
• Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F. Place the eggplant in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the slices don't overlap. You may need to cook the eggplant in batches. Air fry for 10-20 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices.
• Serve: Air-fried eggplant can be served hot or cold as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. It goes well with a dipping sauce like marinara or tzatziki. You can also serve it as part of a Mediterranean spread or with proteins like chicken and seafood.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the slices to allow for better air circulation and even cooking.
• Watch the eggplant closely after the 10-minute mark to prevent overcooking or burning.
• For extra crispy eggplant, use avocado oil and place the eggplant in the refrigerator before cooking.

How to serve air fryer eggplant

Air fryer eggplant is a versatile dish that can be served in multiple ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

As a Side Dish

Air fryer eggplant makes a delicious vegetable side dish. Serve it as crispy eggplant slices or cubes with your favourite dip, such as marinara sauce, basil tomato sauce, or tzatziki. It's the perfect complement to a protein-packed main course. For a Mediterranean twist, pair it with dishes like Greek yogurt chicken or Mediterranean lemon chicken. You can also balance a hearty main, like a classic pot roast, with the light and healthy flavours of air fryer eggplant.

Incorporate into Grains

Air fryer eggplant is a tasty addition to your favourite quinoa salad or other cooked grains. Try mixing it into cooked bulgur or pasta recipes like eggplant pomodoro pasta. Top it off with rich parmesan cheese, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley for an extra punch of flavour.

As an Appetizer

Air fryer eggplant slices or cubes can be served as a tasty appetizer or snack with a side of marinara sauce or tzatziki for dipping. Sprinkle with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for an extra touch of flavour.

As Part of a Mediterranean Spread

Air fryer eggplant is a perfect addition to a Mediterranean-inspired spread, especially when entertaining guests. Serve it alongside dishes like Greek chickpea salad, musabaha (whole chickpea hummus), or roasted eggplant fennel pizza.

In "Bowl" Meals

Air fryer eggplant is a delicious component in any "bowl" type meal. Try pairing it with brown rice and chickpeas, drizzling your favourite dressing or tahini on top.

As a Main Course

For a heartier option, serve air fryer eggplant as the main event. Arrange it over pasta tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs. Add a generous dollop of marinara or fresh tomato sauce and top it off with cashew cream. This combination is sure to impress!

With a Protein Source

Air fryer eggplant goes well with any protein source, especially chicken and seafood dishes. Try it as a side with air fryer chicken kebabs, air fryer falafel, or brined chicken wings for a well-rounded meal.

Cold or at Room Temperature

Air fryer eggplant is versatile and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It's a great make-ahead option for entertaining, as it can be served straight from the fridge or brought to room temperature.

Air fryer eggplant FAQs

Cooking time depends on the size of the eggplant pieces and the temperature setting you use. For example, it takes about 15 minutes at 400°F, and 12 minutes at 400°F.

Yes, it is safe to eat the skin of an eggplant, unless you have an allergy. Just be sure to wash the eggplant before cooking.

Although it is not typically recommended, as pre-salting draws out excess moisture, you can cook eggplant without salting it first if you are using an air fryer. The high heat and intense airflow will dry out the surface, resulting in crispy bites with soft centres.

Yes, you can air fry eggplant slices, but cooking them in smaller pieces will maximise the number of crispy bits, which are the best part!

No, you should not attempt to air fry eggplant without oil. The air itself does not replace oil for frying, it just dries out the surface to give similar crispy results to deep frying. Oil is also important for flavour and to carry the fat-soluble vitamins in vegetables.

Other delicious sides to serve with air fryer eggplant

There are plenty of delicious side dishes that you can serve with air fryer eggplant. Here are some ideas:

Salads

Salads are a great option to serve alongside air fryer eggplant. You could try a Mediterranean quinoa salad, a cucumber tomato salad, or an Italian chopped salad. If you're looking for something more substantial, you can also serve the eggplant with a pasta salad, such as an eggplant pomodoro pasta salad.

Proteins

Air fryer eggplant can also be served with a variety of proteins. Some ideas include veggie burgers, a cooked protein of your choice, or chicken and seafood dishes. For a Mediterranean-inspired meal, you could try serving it with air fryer chicken kebabs, air fryer falafel, or brined chicken wings.

Dips and Sauces

You can also serve air fryer eggplant with various dips and sauces. Marinara sauce, tzatziki, and cashew cream are all great options. If you're looking for something with a bit of spice, you could also try serving it with red pepper flakes.

Grains

Incorporating grains into your meal is also a great option. You can serve air fryer eggplant with cooked grains such as quinoa, bulgur, or pasta. For an extra flavorful dish, top the grains with rich parmesan cheese, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley.

Vegetables

There are also several vegetable side dishes that pair well with air fryer eggplant. Some ideas include roasted broccoli, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, or air fryer okra. You could also try air fryer zucchini chips, air fryer cauliflower gnocchi, or air fryer tofu.

Other Sides

• Air fryer street corn
• Green beans in the air fryer
• Air fryer cauliflower
• Air fryer French fries

Frequently asked questions