With crispy breaded eggplant slices, tangy marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings while still being healthy.
But what sets this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe apart from other similar recipes? The secret is in the air fryer!
By using an air fryer instead of traditional frying methods, you can achieve the same crispy texture with a fraction of the oil and calories.
In this post, I will walk you through every step of the recipe, from choosing the perfect eggplant to getting creative with toppings.
Plus, I will share some of my top tips for making the best air fried eggplant parmesan ever.
So, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just looking for a healthy and tasty meal idea, keep reading and try this amazing recipe today!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
It’s Easy To Make: With just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.
Even if you’re not an experienced cook, you’ll find that this recipe is very easy to follow.
It’s A Crowd Pleaser: Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
Healthy: One of the biggest advantages of this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe is that it’s much healthier than traditional eggplant parmesan.
By using an air fryer instead of frying the eggplant in oil, you can significantly reduce the amount of fat and calories in the dish. Plus, the eggplant itself is packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients
To make the air fried eggplant parmesan you will need:
- 1 Eggplant (large)
- 1 cup Marinara Sauce (or pizza sauce)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
- 1 Egg + 1 tablespoon Water
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Pizza Seasoning
- 3 tablespoon Flour
- 2 tablespoons Parsley
🍆 Eggplant Parmesan Air Fryer Recipe
Follow this easy eggplant parm in air fryer recipe:
Step 1
Start by cutting the eggplant into 1/2″ slices. Rub them with salt on both sides and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.
Step 2
Mix the egg, water, and flour in a mixing bowl (to make the batter).
Then, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, pizza seasoning, salt, and smoked paprika in another plate.
Step 3
Apply the batter to the eggplant slices, and then dip them in the breadcrumb mixture. Coat them evenly.
Step 4
Preheat the air fryer to 370F (190C).
Step 5
Once hot, place the eggplant slices in the air fryer and spray them with oil. Cook for 7-9 minutes until the cheese melts and the eggplant is soft.
Step 6
Top the slices with the pizza sauce (or Marinara sauce) and mozzarella cheese. Air fry for 1 more minute.
Remove from the air fryer and enjoy! This air fryer eggplant parmesan tastes amazing and it’s so easy to make!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked this eggplant parm in air fryer recipe, make sure to also check out these amazing recipes:
💡 Tips
Here are my top tips for this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe:
1. Choosing An Eggplant
Look for an eggplant that is firm and heavy with smooth, shiny skin.
The eggplant should be free from blemishes, soft spots, or wrinkles.
The best eggplant size for this recipe is a large one, as the slices need to be cut thick enough to hold up during the cooking process.
2. Salt The Eggplant Slices
Salting the eggplant slices before cooking is an important step in this recipe. The salt helps to draw out the moisture from the eggplant, making it less bitter and more tender.
Place the eggplant slices on a paper towel and sprinkle salt on both sides. Let the slices sit for at least 15-20 minutes before rinsing off the salt and patting the slices dry with paper towels.
3. Get Creative With Toppings
While this eggplant parmesan air fryer recipe calls for mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce, you can get creative with your toppings to customize the dish to your liking.
Add sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions to the eggplant slices air frying for extra flavor.
You can also substitute the mozzarella cheese for another type of cheese, such as feta, goat cheese, or gouda.
4. Serve With A Side Salad
Air fried eggplant parmesan is a hearty and filling dish, so it’s important to balance it out with some fresh greens.
Serve your air fryer eggplant parmesan with a side salad made from mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s the perfect combination!
5. Try Different Spices
You can experiment with different spices and herbs to add your own unique flavor to the dish.
Try adding some dried basil, oregano, or thyme to the breadcrumb mixture for extra aroma and flavor.
You can also add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
6. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer
To ensure that your eggplant slices cook evenly and get crispy on the outside, it’s very important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket too much.
Cook the eggplant in batches if it’s needed and avoid stacking the slices on top of each other. This will allow the hot air to circulate evenly and ensure that all sides of the eggplant get cooked to perfection.
7. Use Panko Breadcrumbs For Extra Crunch
Regular breadcrumbs work fine for this recipe, but using panko breadcrumbs will give your eggplant parmesan an extra crunchy texture that you might really like.
✔️ Variations
Eggplant Parmesan Stacks: Layer air-fried eggplant slices with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve as a side dish or appetizer.
Eggplant Parmesan Casserole: Simply layer sliced airfryer eggplant parm with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven at 375F for 20-25 minutes.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Breadcrumbs: You can use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs to add more crunch to the dish. Or, you can use almond flour or coconut flour as a gluten-free option.
Marinara sauce: You can use tomato sauce or diced tomatoes instead of marinara sauce.
You can also easily make your own delicious sauce by sauteing onions and garlic in olive oil, adding crushed tomatoes, and seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
Mozzarella cheese: You can substitute other types of cheese, such as cheddar, provolone, or Swiss. For a dairy-free option, use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
Parmesan cheese: You can use Romano cheese or Asiago cheese instead of Parmesan cheese.
Pizza seasoning: You can make your own seasoning by combining dried oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
Smoked paprika: You can use regular paprika or chili powder instead of smoked paprika.
Parsley: You can use fresh basil or oregano instead of parsley for a different flavor.
👪 FAQ
Can I use a smaller eggplant for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a smaller eggplant for this recipe, but the slices may not hold up as well during the cooking process. I recommend choosing a large eggplant to ensure the slices are thick enough.
Can I use gluten-free breadcrumbs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for this recipe to make it suitable for those who are gluten intolerant.
How do I know when the eggplant slices are done cooking in the air fryer?
The eggplant slices should be soft and the cheese should be melted and bubbly. It takes approximately 7-9 minutes to cook in the air fryer.
Can I freeze the eggplant parmesan?
Yes, you can freeze the eggplant parmesan for up to 3 months. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap once cooled and place it in a freezer-safe container.
The texture will be slightly different once thawed, but still- the airfryer eggplant parm will taste delicious!
I hope you liked my air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe. It’s super easy to make, but the result is so delicious and crispy! The eggplant slices are lightly breaded and air-fried until golden and crispy. The topping is absolulty delicious as well.
If you have any questions about this healthy eggplant parmesan air fryer recipe – make sure to comment below.
Also, make sure to check out other great air fryer recipes on my website. I add new recipes and articles all the time- I am sure you will love them!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- 1 Eggplant (large)
- 1 cup Marinara Sauce (or pizza sauce)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
- 1 Egg + 1 tablespoon Water
- 4 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Pizza Seasoning
- 3 tablespoon Flour
- 2 tablespoons Parsley
- Start by cutting the eggplant into 1/2″ slices. Rub them with salt on both sides and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Mix the egg, water, and flour in a mixing bowl (to make the batter).Then, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, pizza seasoning, salt, and smoked paprika in another plate.
- Apply the batter to the eggplant slices, and then dip them in the breadcrumb mixture. Coat them evenly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 370F (190C).
- Once hot, place the eggplant slices in the air fryer and spray them with oil. Cook for 7-9 minutes until the cheese melts and the eggplant is soft.
- Top the slices with the pizza sauce (or Marinara sauce) and mozzarella cheese. Air fry for 1 more minute until the cheese also melts.Remove from the air fryer and enjoy!
