Ingredients You’ll Need for Air-Frying Eggplant
Air fryer breaded eggplant comes together with just a few simple ingredients and zero added oil. You won’t need any last-minute runs to the grocery store with this easy side dish.
Eggplant: I recommend using globe eggplants for this dish, as they’re usually the most common among the many different types of eggplant found at American supermarkets. Kosher salt: Salting eggplant is optional—especially if you’re watching your sodium. However, sweating eggplant may help remove excess liquid and unwanted bitterness if you buy your eggplants out of season. I use half a teaspoon of salt for every pound of eggplant. I then pat dry the slices with a paper towel after letting them rest for 15 minutes. Large eggs: Eggs are the key to bonding your panko mixture to your eggplant rounds. Panko breadcrumbs: Panko forms the base of this recipe’s breading mixture and gives the eggplant slices an irresistibly crispy exterior. Parmesan cheese: Rich and nutty, grated parmesan cheese adds calcium and the Italian flavors we love in breaded eggplant. Seasoning: You’ll need one teaspoon of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to season this air-fried breaded eggplant recipe.
How to Make Air Fry Breaded Eggplant
Whether you’re looking for a great snack or a protein-packed main course doesn’t matter. These instructions will transform your kitchen into a five-star Italian restaurant with minimal prep time.
How to Store and Reheat
As it is with any breaded vegetable or meat recipe, this breaded eggplant recipe is best on the day it is made. However, you can easily store leftovers with the storage tips below:
Store: Store your leftover breaded eggplant slices by letting them first reach room temperature. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Though the pieces may lose their crispiness during storage, they will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Reheat: To reheat your eggplant, place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F. for 2 minutes on each side. Freeze: When freezing your air fryer breaded eggplant, let it first reach room temperature. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place your eggplant slices on top in a single layer. Place the tray in the freezer until the pieces are frozen, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. There is no need to thaw, simply place them in a 350-degree preheated air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they are warmed through.
How to Serve Air Fryer Roasted Eggplant
When you roast breaded eggplant in the air fryer, you’ll unlock dozens of tasty menu ideas. These Instagram-ready recipes will disappear in seconds, from easy snacks to effortless appetizers.
Serve it with a dip or a sauce on the side: Crispy breaded eggplant slices make the ultimate appetizer when served alongside a tasty sauce. Dip them into your favorite marinara sauce or tomato sauce for an Italian-themed side bursting with robust tomato flavors. Or, try out a tangy, Mediterranean menu by serving them alongside my Yogurt Tahini Sauce or Tzatziki Recipe. You can even try them with my fan-favorite Blue Cheese Dip for the perfect game-day snack. Enjoy it as a side dish with your favorite main dishes: I cannot think of a better side dish to serve with dinner dishes like Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken, Chicken Fricassee, or Spaghetti Bolognese.
Want to know more about this breaded, crispy air fryer eggplant recipe? I’ve answered all your biggest recipe questions below, from vegan substitutions to ideal cooking time.
Slice evenly: If you want your slices to cook evenly, cutting eggplant into evenly sized pieces is essential. I recommend cutting your veggies into ½-inch slices for this recipe, but if you’d prefer thinner slices, keep in mind that your cook time will decrease. No matter what size you slice your eggplant, keep an eye on your rounds to avoid burning. Salting eggplant: It’s technically not necessary to salt eggplant before cooking, especially if you are buying it from the grocery store when eggplant is in season (May-September.) However, pre-salting your veggies may help remove unwanted liquid and bitterness—especially if you purchase your eggplant out of season. Set up your dredging station before you start: No one likes cooking in a messy kitchen. Avoid the extra hassle by setting up your dredging station before you begin coating your eggplant rounds. Gently push the breadcrumbs: The best part about this simple air fryer recipe is the eggplant slices’ tender, moist insides and crisp exteriors. To get these best results, gently press your breadcrumb mixture into your eggplant slices before placing them in the air fryer basket. Olive oil spray: Though unnecessary, you may lightly coat your breaded eggplant slices with olive oil cooking spray before putting them in the air fryer. This step may help enhance your slices’ crispiness and prevent burning. Avoid overcrowding: The key to getting perfectly 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. Flip halfway through: I highly recommend flipping or shaking your eggplant slices halfway through cooking. Doing so ensures even browning and crisping on both sides of the veggies. Adjusting dredging ingredients: You may have to change how much of your dredging ingredients you include based on the size of your eggplants. Larger eggplants tend to need more dredging ingredients than specified. Monitor closely: Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, the thickness of the sliced eggplant, and the diameter of your slices. Watch your eggplant to keep them from burning or coming out unfinished. Flipping them halfway through the cooking time is a great way to gauge their doneness. This step will allow you to check their texture and color and see whether they need more cooking time.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Also Like
Can’t get enough of this easy air fryer eggplant recipe? Do you love hassle-free air fryer dishes? Simple and fast, these other mouthwatering air fryer recipes are just what you need.
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