Fitness / July 25, 2023

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

You deserve a delicious, guilt-free indulgence, and this Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant is where it’s at. It’s a simple, savory dish that’s bound to become your new favorite.

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You ever have one of those hunger pangs, only it’s not so much about the taste as it is about the texture? You want something crunchy without reaching for the chips? Well, this is one dish that crosses drool-worthy food with guiltless nutrition – the Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant.

This crispy treat packs in all the crunchy goodness of veggie tempura and the warmth of an eggplant Parmesan but without all that grease. Know why? Of course, you do. It’s because we use an air fryer to get it all crisp and yummy. It’s like my air fryer onion rings recipe — a crunchy veggie treat that is a zillion times healthier (scientific fact), thanks to the air fryer.

This eggplant dish has been crashing my family dinner parties regularly, and my ever-skeptical kids now can’t get enough of it. It marries homely comfort food with the sinful goodness of a deep-fried snack without making you break that diet pact. Now it’s your turn to dip your fork into this amazing fusion of crunch, flavor and feel-good, health-conscious eats.

Is Air Fryer Eggplant Healthy?

Thanks to our trusty air fryer we’re saying goodbye to a ton of oil, which makes for a a much lighter, healthier version of the classic fried eggplant. Speaking of which, the eggplant itself is totally healthy, since it’s packed with fiber and loaded with antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS

Don’t stress about a “globe” eggplant bit; this is your garden variety eggplant and should be available at any grocery store.

1 large globe eggplant
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper
extra virgin olive oil
fresh basil leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick slices and sprinkle both sides with salt. Place in a colander to drain for 30 minutes. Whisk the egg in a small bowl.

Combine

In another bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, flour, Parmesan, salt, and black pepper.

Dip

Dry the eggplant slices on a towel. Dip them into the egg and then into the panko mixture. Place the breaded eggplant slices on a plate and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil.

Air Fry

Place the eggplants in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes until crisp and golden brown.

Garnish

Transfer the air-fried eggplant to a plate and garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Make a Perfect Air Fryer Eggplant

Let the eggplant slices rest after salting them. By “sweating” them, you draw out moisture. The eggplant will be less likely to soak up oil during cooking and turn out crispier.
Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for an enriched taste and health benefits. What little oil you do use for this recipe should be a good one.
For extra crispy eggplant, toast your panko breadcrumbs lightly before breading with them.
Use freshly grated Parmesan as opposed to the pre-grated variety. Fresher means better taste and texture.
Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and ensure each slice gets evenly golden brown all over.

FAQs

what kind of eggplant should I grab for this recipe?

Any eggplant will do, though globe eggplant works really well for this recipe. It’s big, has just the right texture, and is readily available.

Can my gluten-free friends enjoy this dish?

Yes, they can! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free one and make sure your panko breadcrumbs are gluten-free, too.

Can I serve a dipping sauce with these crispy eggplants?

Of course. They pair well with a marinara sauce, tzatziki, or a simple yogurt dip. You can even mix them up and create your own.

How can I vary this eggplant dish up?

Try adding tasty spices like smoked paprika or ground cumin to the breadcrumbs. For a vegan-friendly dish, use a plant-based egg substitute and sub out the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer eggplant can be served as an appetizer, a side to your favorite protein, or even as an entrée with a salad or pasta (or a pasta salad!) by its side. Or you can serve them over a bed of garlic-infused quinoa for a wholesome meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prep the eggplant by slicing them and coating them ahead of time then keeping them in the fridge until you’re ready to air fry. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; they’ll be good for up to 3 days. Before eating again, cook them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to bring back that crispiness.