Eggplant in air fryer is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with delicious roasted flavor. This easy method enhances the natural taste of eggplant while requiring minimal oil, making it a perfect side dish, appetizer, or base for many recipes.
Cooking eggplant in air fryer is an excellent way to achieve a crispy texture without deep frying. The airfryer circulates hot air evenly, roasting the eggplant to perfection with a slight char while keeping the inside soft and creamy. This method is quick, uses less oil than frying, and produces a delicious, healthy dish with minimal effort.
Prepare the eggplant
Wash and cut the eggplant into rounds, cubes, or strips. If desired, sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to remove bitterness, then pat dry.
Season the eggplant
In a bowl, toss the eggplant pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For extra flavor, add smoked paprika or Italian seasoning.
Cook in the airfryer
Preheat the airfryer to 200°C (400°F). Place the eggplant in a single layer in the airfryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve and enjoy
Remove the eggplant from the airfryer and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
For extra crispiness, add a light coating of breadcrumbs before air frying. If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. To make air-fried eggplant Parmesan, top with marinara sauce and cheese, then return to the airfryer for 2 minutes.
Air fryer eggplant turns out soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. If you enjoyed this, check out Pumpkin in Air Fryer, Squash in Air Fryer, or Leeks in Air Fryer. Find more at Recipes for airfryer.
