Air-Fryer Eggplant: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking to make a tasty, crispy and tender fried eggplant in an air fryer, you've come to the right place! This recipe is a fun and healthy snack, side dish, or even a main course. It's also simple to make and won't take up much of your time. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make fried eggplant in an air fryer.

Choosing and preparing the eggplant

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways, and air frying is one of the healthiest and tastiest methods. Here is a guide to choosing and preparing the perfect eggplant for your air fryer.

Choosing the Eggplant

First, you need to select the right type of eggplant. The most common variety is the globe eggplant, which is usually readily available in American supermarkets. If you can't find globe eggplants, don't worry; any medium to large-sized eggplant will work for this recipe. Just keep in mind that smaller eggplants tend to be less bitter and have fewer seeds.

Preparing the Eggplant

Once you've chosen your eggplant, it's time to prepare it for cooking. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Cut the eggplant: Slice the eggplant into uniform rounds, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Thinner slices will be crispier, while thicker slices will be denser.
• Salt the eggplant (optional): Salting the eggplant is optional but can help remove excess liquid and reduce bitterness. Sprinkle salt on both sides of the slices and let them rest in a colander for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Dredge the eggplant: Set up three shallow bowls for dredging. One bowl should contain flour, the second bowl whisked eggs, and the third a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Dip each eggplant slice first in the flour, then the egg, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to coat all sides evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer: While you're preparing the eggplant, preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F.
• Add oil: Drizzle or spray the coated eggplant slices with olive oil or avocado oil. This step will help the eggplant get crispy and golden while cooking.

Now your eggplant is ready to be air-fried to perfection! Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the eggplant in batches. Follow the air fryer instructions for the best results, and enjoy your delicious, crispy eggplant!

Making the coating

The coating is what gives your fried eggplant that extra special crispiness and flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect coating for your air-fried eggplant:

Step 1: Prepare the dredging station

Start by preparing your dredging station. This is where you'll coat your eggplant slices with a delicious breading. Set out three shallow bowls or dishes in a row. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour or almond flour. You can also use gluten-free flour if you prefer. In the second bowl, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water. This will act as a binding agent for the breading. In the third bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the breading. This typically includes panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and various seasonings. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper to taste. Give the mixture a good stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 2: Dip the eggplant slices

Take each eggplant slice and dip it first in the flour, making sure to coat all sides. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the eggplant. It's important that each slice is evenly coated for that perfect crispy texture.

Step 3: Drizzle with oil

Once all your eggplant slices are coated, it's time to drizzle them with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil with a high smoke point. A light coating of oil will help enhance the crispiness of the breading and prevent it from burning. You can also use an oil spray for a more even and controlled coating.

Step 4: Arrange in the air fryer

Place the coated eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don't overlap, as this will affect the cooking process. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the eggplant in batches.

Step 5: Air fry to perfection

Now it's time to air fry your eggplant! Cook the eggplant at a temperature between 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-20 minutes, or until golden brown. For best results, flip the slices halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on your eggplant, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your slices and the model of your air fryer.

And that's it! With these simple steps, you'll have a delicious, crispy coating on your air-fried eggplant. Enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

Cooking the eggplant

The key to getting crispy eggplant slices is to avoid overcrowding them in the air fryer basket. Proper air circulation is necessary for thorough cooking. Therefore, you may find it helpful to cook your eggplant in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

First, preheat your air fryer to 370°F.

Next, slice your eggplant into 1/4-inch rounds. If you want a crispier texture, you can slice them thinner. However, if you prefer a denser texture, opt for thicker slices. Just keep in mind that thinner slices will require less cooking time.

Now, sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant slices and let them sit in a colander for about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess liquid and any bitterness from the eggplant. After 30 minutes, give the slices a quick rinse and pat them dry with paper towels.

In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg. In a separate medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: panko breadcrumbs, flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option), grated Parmesan cheese, and seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some almond flour or vegan Parmesan cheese for a nuttier flavour.

Dip each eggplant slice into the egg, letting the excess drip off, and then coat it with the dry mixture. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs gently into the eggplant to ensure an even coating.

Arrange the slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap them. Drizzle or spray the slices with olive oil to help them crisp up and enhance their flavour.

Air fry the eggplant slices for about 10-20 minutes, depending on their thickness and your air fryer model. Flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. The eggplant is ready when it turns golden brown and a knife can easily be inserted and removed from the slices.

Once done, remove the eggplant slices from the air fryer and serve them immediately. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara, harissa, or tzatziki. You can also serve them as a side dish with your favourite main course.

Storing and reheating the eggplant

Storing the Eggplant:

• Allow any leftover eggplant to cool down to room temperature.
• Place the eggplant in an airtight container.
• Store it in the refrigerator.
• The eggplant should last for up to 3-5 days, depending on the recipe.

Reheating the Eggplant:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 375°F.
• Place the eggplant pieces in the air fryer basket.
• Reheat for about 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
• Alternatively, you can use a conventional oven at the same temperature to reheat.
• Avoid using a microwave, as it may make the eggplant soggy.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air-fried eggplant. Here are some suggestions:

• As a side dish with your favourite main course.
• As an appetiser with a dip or sauce on the side, such as marinara, tzatziki, or garlic aioli.
• On top of a salad or pasta dish.
• As the base for an eggplant parmigiana.
• In a sandwich or on a pizza.
• As part of a more substantial salad for a light yet satisfying meal.
• As an entree, arranged over pasta tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs, and topped with marinara or fresh tomato sauce and cashew cream.

Frequently asked questions