Air-Fryer Eggplant Fries: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer eggplant fries are a delicious, healthy snack. They are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. They are also a great alternative to traditional fries as they are cooked with little to no oil. This makes them a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake. They are easy to make and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces.

Choosing the right eggplant

Look for Firmness: When selecting an eggplant, go for one that feels slightly firm to the touch. Avoid eggplants that are too soft or mushy, as they may be past their prime. A good eggplant should have some give when gently squeezed but should not be rock-hard like an acorn squash.

Check for Blemishes: Choose an eggplant with smooth and taut skin, free from any visible blemishes, cuts, or scars. The caps and stems should appear fresh and green.

Variety Matters: Opt for long, slender eggplants over round, plump ones as they are less juicy and better suited for frying. If you can find them, globe eggplants (Mediterranean eggplants) or long, Asian eggplants are ideal for making fries. Avoid small, Thai eggplants, as they are too tiny to cut into french fry shapes.

Size and Weight: Select an eggplant that feels heavy for its size. A heavier eggplant often indicates a higher proportion of flesh to seeds, resulting in a more substantial and meatier fry.

Freshness: Eggplant skin can become bitter with age. If you're using a mature eggplant, consider peeling it before frying. Younger, fresher eggplants tend to have sweeter skin and can be left unpeeled, making the preparation easier.

By following these guidelines, you'll be sure to choose the right eggplant for making crispy and tasty eggplant fries in your air fryer!

Preparing the dredging station

Firstly, gather all the necessary ingredients for the dredging process. This includes eggs, which act as a binding agent, and breadcrumbs for the coating. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko, which are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are lighter and airier. If you opt for panko, you can find them in the Asian or international section of most grocery stores. In addition to the eggs and breadcrumbs, prepare a shallow bowl of whisked eggs and a separate large bowl for the dry mixture.

For the dry mixture, combine the breadcrumbs with your choice of seasonings. Some popular seasoning options include Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add salt to enhance the flavour. Mix these ingredients thoroughly in the large bowl. If you prefer a spicier option, you can include some Cajun seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes.

Once you have prepared the wet and dry mixtures, it's time to set up your dredging station. Line up your bowls in the following order: first, a plate or bowl containing the sliced eggplant sticks; second, the shallow bowl of whisked eggs; and finally, the large bowl with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. You may also want to have a plate or tray at the end to place the coated eggplant sticks before transferring them to the air fryer.

Now that your dredging station is ready, you can begin the dredging process. Take each eggplant stick and dip it first into the egg mixture, ensuring it is well-coated. Then, transfer the egg-coated stick to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture, using a fork or your hands to press the stick into the mixture and ensure an even coating. Work quickly during this process to prevent the eggplant from becoming soggy.

Once all your eggplant sticks are coated, you can proceed to the air fryer step, where you'll cook them to crispy perfection!

Cooking the fries

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your eggplant slices are coated, it's time to cook the fries! Place the eggplant fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. You may need to cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket, which can prevent them from getting crispy.

Spritz the tops of the eggplant fries with cooking spray or lightly drizzle some olive oil over them. This step will help give the fries that desirable golden hue and extra crunch.

Close the air fryer and cook the fries for 8 to 10 minutes. For optimal cooking, shake the basket or flip the fries halfway through the cooking process. Continue cooking for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until the fries reach your desired level of crispiness.

Once they're golden brown and cooked to perfection, remove the fries from the air fryer and serve them immediately. They are best enjoyed fresh, as they tend to lose some of their crunchiness over time. However, if you do have leftovers, you can reheat them in the air fryer to restore some of the crispiness.

Storing and reheating

Storing Eggplant Fries:

Storing eggplant fries can be done in a few ways, depending on whether they are cooked or uncooked, and whether they are breaded or not.

• Storing Uncooked Eggplant Fries: If you've cut up your eggplant into fries but haven't cooked them yet, it's best not to store them for too long as eggplant flesh oxidizes quickly once exposed to air, leading to browning and degradation. However, if you must store them, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 3-4 days. You can also drizzle lemon juice over them to slow down the browning process.
• Storing Cooked Eggplant Fries: Cooked eggplant fries should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days.
• Storing Breaded Eggplant Fries: Breaded eggplant fries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to an hour to help set the breadcrumbs before frying. This helps the breadcrumbs stick better to the eggplant.

Freezing Eggplant Fries:

If you want to freeze your eggplant fries for longer-term storage, follow these steps:

• Wash the eggplant and dry it with a clean paper towel or cloth.
• Remove the skin using a vegetable peeler.
• Cut the eggplant into 1/3-inch thick slices.
• Blanch the eggplant by boiling it in a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1/2 cup of lemon juice for about 4 minutes.
• Place the blanched eggplant in an ice bath for 4 minutes to stop the cooking process.
• Drain the eggplant and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, adding a sheet of freezer paper between slices.
• Close the container and transfer it to the freezer.

Reheating Eggplant Fries:

While eggplant fries are best consumed fresh, you can reheat them in the oven to restore some of their crispiness. Here's how:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the eggplant fries on a baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cover the sheet with wax paper.
• Lightly brush both sides of the eggplant fries with extra virgin olive oil and add any desired herbs, seasonings, salt, or pepper.
• Put the eggplant fries in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Flip the fries and heat for an additional 10 minutes.
• Remove the fries from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Note: Reheated eggplant fries may not be as crispy as when they were first cooked, and freezing them is generally not recommended as it affects their texture.

Serving suggestions

These crispy, golden, air-fried eggplant fries are a delicious and healthy snack or side dish. They are a great alternative to classic potato fries and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• With a side of tomato sauce or marinara sauce for dipping
• As a side dish with pasta, scoops of tomato sauce, dollops of cashew cream, basil, red pepper flakes, and drizzles of olive oil
• As a side dish with Lemon Dill Rice, chicken, beef, pork, or fish
• With a salad as a crispy addition to a green salad or tossed on a salad
• With a runny egg
• In a salad wrap for lunch
• With your favourite French fry dips and sauces, such as ketchup, ranch, caesar dipping sauce, or hot sauce
• With a side of Fiesta Lasagna-Vegetarian Mexican Casserole
• As a snack with drinks
• As a side dish with a cooked protein of your choice

Frequently asked questions