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You’ll love this cheesy and crunchy air fryer eggplant! Cooking eggplant in the air fryer is super quick, making it a great veggie side dish for just about any meal.
My go-to ways to prepare eggplant are sauteed eggplant and roasted eggplant, but when I want a crispy exterior AND the fastest prep time, this eggplant air fryer recipe can’t be beat. On the other hand, if you have a little more time, be sure to try eggplant in an eggplant lasagna… it’s SO good!
Can I Air Fry Eggplant?
Yes! Making eggplant in the air fryer is fast and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
- Savory, cheesy flavor with caramelized edges
- Crunchy exterior and soft interior
- Easy & healthy
- Cooks in just 10 minutes
Air Fried Eggplant Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for eggplant in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Eggplant – Look for a deep purple eggplant, with a smooth skin that’s not dented or bruised. Small eggplants are preferred to larger ones, because they are less bitter and have fewer seeds.
- Olive Oil – I recommend extra virgin olive oil, but light olive oil or even avocado oil will also work fine.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – You can buy pre-grated or grate your own, just make sure it’s super finely grated, not shredded, so that you get that crispy exterior. We’re using this in lieu of an actual breading, and I think it makes the best air fried eggplant!
- Italian Seasoning – You can use homemade Italian seasoning or store-bought. Or feel free to add other spices, like garlic powder or paprika.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Cook Eggplant In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make cooking eggplant in air fryer with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Slice. Cut eggplant crosswise to make circles that are 1/2 inch thick.
TIP: Cut off leafy end after slicing. This will allow you to have more to grab on to.
- Season. Drizzle eggplant with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Air fry eggplant. Arrange the slices in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the eggplant is soft and cheese is golden brown.
TIP: Cook in batches and don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Batches ensure that it browns properly.
Storage Instructions
- To store: Store leftover eggplant in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: To maintain crispness, reheat the eggplant slices in the air fryer again, or briefly pan fry. Microwaving will leave it rather soggy.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you like eggplant air fryer recipes like this one, you might also like:
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Tools To Make Air Fryer Eggplant Recipes
- Air Fryer – This is my favorite one, from a familiar brand. It has a large basket, it’s easy to use, and cooks evenly.
Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
This healthy, EASY air fryer eggplant recipe is ready in 15 minutes, with just 4 ingredients! Making eggplant in the air fryer is faster than other methods, plus this one has a delicious crispy, cheesy coating.
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
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Slice the eggplant crosswise to make circles, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. Cut off the leafy end only after you are done slicing, so that you'll have more to grab onto as you slice.
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Drizzle or brush the eggplant slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
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Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until the eggplant is soft and the cheese is golden brown. Repeat in batches with remaining eggplant slices.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 slices, or 1/4 entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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32 Comments
rose
0do you think it’s okay if I will not add parmesan?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Rose, Yes, that would work if you don’t want to add the parmesan.
Martie Best
0These were fantastic! Now my favorite way to prepare eggplant. I used a grated parmesan / Romano cheese mixture I had bought at Publix, and I really cannot express how delicious they were….interestingly, the second tray in the air fryer was left in for a couple more minutes, and on those, you couldn’t chew the ‘peel’ of the eggplant. 10 min is PERFECT.
Suz
0I made the eggplant air fryer recipe and I thought it was very easy and delicious too. Thank you for your recipe.
Jackie
0Tried these today with vegan Parmesan and it was amazing! TY for the confidence to make such delicious food. Lesson learned—brush or spray oil as I forgot how much and how fast eggplant soaks up oil.
Janice
0This is delicious, however 375 was much too hot in my Ninja Foodi. The parmesan overcooked to point of burning after 8 minutes.
Linda
0This recipe is sooo delicious and easy. I have a garden with lots of eggplants that need using. I didn’t want tomatoe sauce on them. This recipe fit the bill. Thank you for sharing!
Elaine
0Flavor was good, texture was not. It did not get crispy at all. Followed the recipe.
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Elaine, I’m sorry this recipe didn’t work out for you! Some eggplants hold more moisture than others, and air fryers can act differently depending on how close food gets to the heating elements. You can always try slicing the eggplant, sprinkling with salt, and letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off and patting dry to make it less soggy. I hope you give it another try!
Meeks
0I made this tonight… and mine came out kinda mushy, but the flavor was so good also I didn’t realize that I was using way to much oil on each slice I didn’t mind the texture anyway. But I’ll try this tip.
Marian
0I have been trying a lot of different food. My air fryer and this recipe were so easy and I had on hand all ingredients. It was simply. Delicious.
J Rogan
0What temp is the air fryer in this recipe? I don’t see one.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi John, All of the instructions for this recipe are listed here.
Suz
0The recipe said to preheat air fryer at 375.
Kristyn
0Since finding your recipe, we make this all the time!! My hubby & I love it!! I try to keep eggplant on hand, so I can make these. They go great with so many meals!
Natalie
0I think this is my favorite way to eat eggplant! Little ingredients, but super tasty!! Yum!
Amy L Huntley
0I love that you made these in the Air Fryer! The parmesan cheese is perfection!
Sherry
0Can I freeze the slices then reheat in the air fryer? I have a lot of eggplant to get cooked
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Sherry, The texture will change some after freezing, but this method will work. Enjoy!
Jean
0What temperature did you fry it at?
Natalie
0Looks crispy and delicious. Yum!
Kristyn
0Ok, I love the crispy outer layer!! This makes a delicious appetizer!! I get tired of the same things, so this is a yummy change!
Linda
0This eggplant recipe is delicious! Love the crunch part and how they’re so easy to make
Delores
0Hi again Maya,
I didn’t read the nutrition facts before I sent my first question:
Total Carbs 8.6g
Net Carbs 4.7g
Fiber 3.9g
Sugar 4.3g
I don’t see any sugar in the recipe, does that come from the eggplant?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Delores, No problem! The sugars are naturally occurring from the eggplant.
Delores
0Hi Maya,
This looks and sounds delicious; did you brush the oil only one the one side that you sprinkle the other ingredients?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Delores, I seasoned one side, but you can do both if you like.
Paula
0The air-fryer is a staple in our house now. I made these instead of fries and my boys loved them.
Scarlet
0Yes. The eggplant slices turned out perfectly in the air fryer!
Eden
0These were so easy to make! Such a great side dish!
Sam
0Just made these in my new air fryer and I am blown away. Light and still crispy. Will definitely put it on the weekly rotation.
barbara Cokes
0The best way to make eggplant! it’s seriosuly delicious!