How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze This Recipe?
Once you make this vegan and gluten-free recipe for eggplant in the air fryer, you’ll want it every night of the week. With these simple storage tips, you’ll have toasty, savory eggplant whenever the craving strikes.
Eggplant: I use globe eggplant in this crispy air fryer eggplant recipe, as it’s the most common type of eggplant found in grocery stores. However, many different types of eggplants would also work. Other types, such as Japanese eggplant, Japanese eggplant, and even Chinese eggplant, would all work in this recipe. Kosher salt: Though salting eggplant is optional, this step helps remove excess liquid and gives this easy recipe its exquisitely crisp texture. It may also be helpful if you’re buying eggplant out of season. You can learn more about this process in my simple guide to sweating eggplant. Oil: I recommend using high smoke point oils, like avocado oil or olive oil, when making eggplant in the air fryer. Seasonings: You can use countless delicious seasoning mixes when you air-fry eggplant. However, I recommend a robust, savory mixture of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Don’t have Italian seasoning at home? Make your own spice blend by mixing together ¼ teaspoon of dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon of dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme, and ¼ teaspoon of dried basil. Optional toppings: If preferred, you can sprinkle them with fresh parsley (or any other fresh herbs you like) and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving.
Store: To store your air-fried eggplant cubes or slices, first let the veggies reach room temperature. Then, transfer the pieces to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place your eggplant in the air fryer for two minutes (or until heated thoroughly) at 400 degrees F. or in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 300 degrees F. I recommend draining excess liquid before serving, as your veggie pieces will likely become watery during storage. Freeze: After roasting the eggplant in the air fryer, place the room-temperature pieces in a freezer bag or airtight container. I recommend separating each layer with wax paper to prevent fusing during storage. Once you place the sealed container inside the freezer, your eggplant will stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw: Thaw your air fryer roasted eggplant by placing it in the fridge overnight. Remove the wax paper between slices/cubes, and reheat them in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for two minutes or in the oven at 300 degrees F. for 5-8 minutes.
How to Serve Air Fryer Roasted Eggplant?
You can serve this healthy eggplant recipe in the air fryer in dozens of mouthwatering ways. From a great snack to a final dish, these tasty ideas will fill your menu with maximum flavor.
Serve it as a vegetable side dish: Crispy eggplant slices make a delectable appetizer when served with a dip, such as your favorite marinara sauce, Basil Tomato Sauce, or creamy Tzatziki. These simple eggplant rounds are also a great way to complement a protein-packed main course. Serve them alongside Mediterranean dishes, like my Greek Yogurt Chicken and Mediterranean Lemon Chicken, or balance a hearty main, like my Classic Pot Roast, with light and healthy flavors. Incorporate it into cooked grains: This delicious air fryer eggplant recipe is just the thing to add to your favorite quinoa salad or other cooked grains. Savory air-fried eggplant makes a great addition to Cooked Bulgur or even pasta recipes, like my Eggplant Pomodoro Pasta—especially when topped with rich parmesan cheese, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley.
Cooking eggplant is an easy recipe anyone can prepare (and post on Instagram!). With these helpful tips, this eggplant air fryer recipe will come out exquisitely crisp every time.
Select good eggplants: The first step in air frying eggplant is to choose the right produce. I recommend using eggplants that are firm to the touch and have smooth, glossy skin. Though eggplants have a bad rap for bitterness, these riper veggies tend to have fewer seeds, a sweeter taste, and a less bitter flavor. Cut evenly: The key to this recipe is to cut your eggplants into evenly sized pieces (½-inch slices or 1-inch cubes). Similarly sized eggplants will cook more evenly, whether you slice them or cut them into cubes. A word about salting: Sweating eggplant isn’t necessary for this recipe, especially if you are using eggplant during its peak season (May through September.) However, if you’re making this dish out of season, you may want to remove extra liquid or unwanted bitterness from your slices by salting your eggplant before putting it in the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd the basket: When you layer your eggplant pieces into the air fryer basket, don’t overcrowd or layer them on top of one another. More space between slices will allow for better air circulation and limit the possibility of undercooked or unevenly cooked eggplant. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may find that air frying your eggplant in batches helps avoid partially cooked or soggy eggplant. Flip halfway through: The best thing about this vegan air fryer eggplant is its crisp-tender texture and golden brown exterior. Flipping your eggplant batches halfway through their air frying time will help give you these best results. Watch closely: Many factors contribute to how long it will take to make eggplant cooked in the air fryer, including your specific air fryer, the thickness of your slices, and how densely you pack the basket. Therefore, I recommend watching your pieces after the 10-minute mark to see whether they need more or less time.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Also Like
If you can’t get enough tasty eggplant recipes like this, you’ll fall head over heels for these other effortless air fryer dishes. Feel free to check out the recipes below and never be at a loss for a delicious recipe to complete your menu again!
Air Fryer Street Corn Green Beans in Air Fryer Air Fryer Asparagus
If you try this Air Fryer Eggplant with no breadcrumbs recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, 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.
