Air Fryer Eggplant

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Air Fryer Eggplant! This innovative method delivers a crispy, golden brown exterior while maintaining the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of eggplant. Using minimal oil, the air fryer creates a delicious and guilt-free indulgence perfect for appetizers, side dishes, or even a vegetarian main course.

Get ready to experience the irresistible combination of crispy perfection and flavorful versatility with Air Fryer Eggplant.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a low-carb option)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the eggplant: Wash the eggplant and slice it into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and place them in a colander over a bowl or sink. Let them drain for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.

2. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C).

3. Make the coating: In separate shallow bowls, prepare the panko breadcrumbs (or almond flour), parmesan cheese (if using), and beaten egg.

4. Breading: Pat the eggplant slices dry with paper towels. Dip each slice first in the egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly.

5. Air fry: Place the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle them lightly with olive oil. Cook for 17-20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.

6. Serve: Enjoy your air-fried eggplant hot! You can serve it plain, with a dipping sauce like marinara or tzatziki, or use it in recipes like eggplant parmesan.

Tips

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the eggplant in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
  • For extra crispy eggplant, you can preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for a shorter time, around 15 minutes.
  • If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can use crushed Italian bread crumbs or even crushed cornflakes for a different texture.
  • You can add other seasonings to the breading mix, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or paprika.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried eggplant!

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