Classically seasoned and prepared in just a few simple steps in less than 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Eggplant is a delicious dinner-time sensation! It’s hot, crispy on the outside, tender and silky on the inside, and wildly versatile. Serve it with pasta, burgers, or pizza, sprinkle it on Buddha bowls and salads, or add it to wraps!
If you’re not already an eggplant fan, chances are this air fryer eggplant recipe will convert you! Not only is it mind-blowingly simple to prep (just season, add to the basket, and air fry!), but it’s crisp on the outside, silky and tender inside, and cooked to sweet, caramelized perfection.
That’s right, no mushy, rubbery, flavorless eggplant here! I could never, would never share such a recipe with you. 😉
The key with eggplant prep is always how it’s cooked. If the excess water isn’t drained or can’t evaporate, the end result will almost always be sad. And we all can agree that we don’t want that!
Although some eggplant recipes require salting to remove the water, the air fryer takes care of this step for us. The hot circulating air in the air fryer cooks off the moisture, allowing the veggie cubes to be tender, flavorful, crisp, and sweet. Easy and healthy mealtime perfection, my friends!
Read on as I share my easy, no-fail recipe and tips to air fry eggplant flawlessly every time. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
You only need six everyday ingredients to make eggplant in the air fryer, half of which are pantry staples:
Eggplant: Grab one large eggplant with smooth, deep purple skin that is heavy for its size. If needed, you can use 4-5 cups of cubed smaller eggplant varieties, such as Thai, Japanese, Italian, or Indian eggplant.
Garlic: For nuttiness, a light pungency, and intrigue! Use fresh garlic cloves whenever possible; however, bottled garlic can be substituted in a pinch.
Oil: Not only does this add richness, but it also helps the eggplant crisp up as it cooks in the air fryer. I usually use olive oil because its peppery finish enhances the mild eggplant, but you can also use avocado oil.
Salt and Pepper: These season the veggies, enhancing the eggplant’s mildly sweet, caramelized flavor. Use freshly cracked pepper if possible.
Parsley: Fresh chopped herbs finish off the air fryer eggplant with fresh, herbal notes. You can use chopped curly or flat-leaf parsley.
For more easy eggplant recipes, try my grilled eggplant next! Curious about the red dip shown with eggplant in the photos? That’s my Pecan Muhammara—the perfect accompaniment.
How to Cook Eggplant in the Air Fryer
Ready to get started? It’s easy to make fried eggplant, air fryer style, in a few anyone-can-do-it steps:
- Season. In a mixing bowl, toss the eggplant cubes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare. Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper. Spread the eggplant in an even layer. It will shrink as it loses moisture, so it’s okay if the pieces touch.
- Air Fry. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Once hot, air fry the eggplant for 18 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until the eggplant is tender and crispy.
- Serve. Transfer the air fried eggplant to a serving dish. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Jenné’s Recipe Pro-Tips
- Season well. Toss the chopped eggplant with the olive oil and seasonings until well combined. Not only will this ensure flavor in each bite, but evenly salting will also help the moisture evaporate from the eggplant as it cooks, allowing it to caramelize nicely.
- Cook in a single layer. Ensure that the vegetables have even exposure to the hot air by adding them to the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. The eggplant cubes will shrink as they cook, so the pieces don’t need to start with space between them.
- Adjust the cooking time as needed. Air fryers can cook at different temperatures and intensities. Start monitoring the eggplant after 13 minutes, add extra cooking time if needed, and remove it from the air fryer when it is fork-tender and crisp.
Recipe Variations
The options for eggplant air fryer recipes are endless! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Citrus: For a fresh and bright finish, squeeze the hot eggplant with fresh lemon juice before garnishing with chopped parsley.
- “Cheesy”: Toss the seasoned eggplant cubes with 1-2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast for a savory depth of flavor and extra nutrition. Or, garnish it with 2 tablespoons of shredded vegan parmesan before serving.
- Italian: For an herbaceous Mediterranean flair, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning along with the spices before air frying. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and/or sprinkle with vegan parmesan before serving to take the dish to the next level!
- Spicy: 1/2 teaspoon of red chili flakes or Calabrian chili flakes adds a delightful kick to the seasoning mixture. For a touch of delicious, smoky heat, add Aleppo pepper or smoked paprika.
Storage Directions
- Refrigerating — Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing — Once cooled to room temperature, the eggplant can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The texture may change a bit upon thawing, but it will still be delicious.
- Reheating — Reheat refrigerated air fryer eggplant in a 350°F air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or frozen for 5-8 minutes, until hot and re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to salt unbreaded eggplant when making it in the air fryer. The primary reason eggplant is salted is to remove excess moisture. When cooked in an air fryer, the hot and quickly circulating air helps evaporate the moisture when it comes in direct contact with the eggplant, eliminating the need to salt it ahead of time.
Certainly! To make eggplant rounds in the air fryer, first cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices. Next, cook them in a single layer for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are tender and crisp.
The exact cooking time depends on how the eggplant is cut, the temperature at which it is air-fried, and the strength of your air fryer. I find that 1-inch cubes usually take 15-20 minutes to cook, with the optimal cooking time being around 18 minutes.
More Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
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In a mixing bowl, toss the eggplant cubes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper. Spread the eggplant in an even layer. It will shrink as it loses moisture, so it’s okay if the pieces touch.
Air fry at 375°F for 18 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until the eggplant is tender and crispy.
Transfer the air fried eggplant to a serving dish. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
- Refrigerating — Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing — Once cooled to room temperature, the eggplant can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The texture may change a bit upon thawing, but it will still be delicious.
- Reheating — Reheat refrigerated air fryer eggplant in a 350°F air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or frozen for 5-8 minutes, until hot and re-crisped.
- Season well. Toss the chopped eggplant with the olive oil and seasonings until well combined. Not only will this ensure flavor in each bite, but evenly salting will also help the moisture evaporate from the eggplant as it cooks, allowing it to caramelize nicely.
- Cook in a single layer. Ensure that the vegetables have even exposure to the hot air by adding them to the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. The eggplant cubes will shrink as they cook, so the pieces don’t have to be spread out in the basket.
- Adjust the cooking time as needed. Air fryers can cook at different temperatures and intensities. Start monitoring the eggplant after 15 minutes, add extra cooking time if needed, and remove it from the air fryer when it is fork-tender and crisp.
Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.4mg