How To Store and Reheat?
Like any of my other air-fried eggplant recipes, this eggplant parm is best on the day it is made. However, you can easily store leftovers and reheat them to enjoy later. Here is how I do it:
Eggplant: Amongst all the different types of eggplants, I find that globe eggplant is the easiest to find, so I tested this recipe using that variety. However, if you can get your hands on Italian eggplants, go for it. There is no need to peel eggplant. The skin is edible. Large eggs: Eggs are the binder in this recipe. If you have egg allergies, a good alternative is using aquafaba instead. Panko breadcrumbs: Similar to my Crispy Breaded Eggplant recipe, I used panko breadcrumbs as I love the crispy texture they provide, but you can use regular breadcrumbs as well. If you are following a gluten-free diet, you can purchase gluten-free panko or use an equal amount of almond flour instead. Cheese: We incorporate shredded parmesan cheese in the breading mixture while reserving mozzarella cheese to create a sumptuous topping when cooking eggplant parmesan in the air fryer. Both shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced fresh mozzarella cheese would work in this recipe. Seasonings: Kosher salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning are all you need. Don’t have Italian seasoning? Make your own spice mix by mixing ¼ teaspoon of dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon of dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme and ¼ teaspoon of dried basil. Tomato Sauce: I used my go-to Basil Tomato Sauce, but you can also use store-bought marinara (such as Rao’s Marinara Sauce (affiliate link) for an even quicker air fryer eggplant parmesan. Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil and oregano are the classic herbs when making eggplant parm. However, you can also use their dried versions.
Storage: Bring your air-fried eggplant parmesan slices to room temperature and then transfer them into an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheating leftovers: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Place the eggplant parm in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Bake for 3-4 minutes or until warmed thoroughly.
Variations
If you are serving this dish to people with special diet requirements, below are a few variations:
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan without Breading: You can make this recipe without breading. If you choose to do so, simply skip the breading step and make a batch of my Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe with no breadcrumbs instead. Once the eggplant slices are air fried, you can top them off with marinara and cheese and air fry for one to two minutes or until the cheese is melted. Vegan Eggplant Parmesan in the Air Fryer: To make this recipe vegan, I would recommend swapping eggs and dairy with their vegan counterparts. Use aquafaba in place of eggs. Swap parmesan cheese with vegan parmesan cheese. Substitute vegan mozzarella cheese in place of regular mozzarella.
Expert Tips:
While this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe is pretty straightforward, there are a few things that I’d love to share so that you can achieve great results on your first try:
Uniform slices: While cutting the eggplant, do your best to slice them in equal slices to ensure even baking. Sweating eggplants: During the eggplant season, the globe eggplants that are widely available in US supermarkets do not need to be salted. However, if you make this recipe during the off-season, I recommend salting your eggplant before air frying. If you want to know more about why and when to salt aubergine, be sure to check my article on Salting Eggplants. Prep your dredging station: The most time-consuming part of this recipe is the coating of the eggplant rounds. I recommend getting everything ready before your start. Press to coat: I think the best part of this recipe is the crispy and crunchy texture of the eggplant. The secret to getting that crunchy texture is to make sure the slices are completely covered with the panko mixture. As you are coating each slice, press it gently so the bread crumbs stick well to the eggplant. Do not overcrowd: For best results, arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to air fry the crispy eggplant in multiple batches. While this is an extra step, it is important to avoid overlapping slices, as doing so can result in soggy eggplant parmesan rather than the addictive crispy texture. Spray: Some versions of this recipe uses an olive oil cooking spray to spray breaded eggplant before air frying. During my recipe testing, I did not think that it was necessary, but if you want, you can lightly spray the breaded eggplant slices.
Other Eggplant Recipes You Might Like:
Here at Foolproof Living, we love eggplant. Over the years, we have published several eggplant recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients. Below are a few you might also enjoy if you are a fan as well:
Pasta: Serve with a simple pasta dish like my Green Pasta, Caprese Pasta Salad, or Garlic Butter Pasta with a side of garlic bread for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Vegetables: Consider serving it with Steamed Asparagus or Garlic Butter Green Beans for a veggie-packed dinner for your next meatless Monday. Meat Dishes: Make it a side dish for main course meals like my Mediterranean Lemon Chicken, Turkey Zucchini Meatballs, or Air Fried Cornish Hens. Salad: A fresh green salad like my Kardashian Salad, Spring Mix Salad, or Mediterranean Quinoa Salad would add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe.
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If you make this recipe for healthy eggplant parmesan in the air fryer or any of our other Air Fryer Recipes, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
