Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
I love when you can make a classic dish a little bit lighter and easier, and this Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan recipe does both! This is one of my favorite air fryer eggplant recipes.
Eggplant Parmesan is one of my favorite eggplant recipes, along with Pasta Alla Norma, another classic eggplant recipe that I’ll be sharing soon! Making this classic Italian dish in the air fryer is a game changer.
My biggest complaint about making Eggplant Parmesan is that it’s a bit of a process, and it can be a mess.
Using the air fryer removes pan frying from the process, which eliminates a ton of mess. And, you don’t have to use your oven at all, so there’s no baking sheet to clean up afterwards.
And air frying yields super crispy eggplant. No soggy breading, here!
This recipe needs common ingredients and a few simple supplies. You’ll need two shallow bowls, a whisk or fork for mixing and tongs for flipping. And your air fryer!
How do I store the Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan?
You can store leftover Eggplant Parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
To re-heat the eggplant, simply pop it back into the air fryer for about 3 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
Can I make Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan ahead of time?
Yes! You can make them ahead of time, just don’t add the sauce and cheese. Place the fried eggplant in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.
To finish, place the breaded eggplant slices in the air fryer, while still frozen, for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees.
Once heated through, add the sauce and mozzarella and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
What should I serve with my Healthy Eggplant Parmesan?
I like to serve this recipe with a simple side salad, like this Italian salad and garlic bread.
You can also serve these breaded eggplant slices on the top of a bit of pasta with some extra hearty marinara sauce and cheese on top!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
A delicious air fryer adaptation of classic Eggplant Parmesan!
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the egg wash (Step 1):
- 1 egg + 1 egg white
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
For the crust (Step 2):
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings:
- 8 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced thin
- fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Begin by slicing the eggplant into ½ to ¾-inch slices. This yielded 6 slices for me.
- Spread the slices out on paper towels. Pat dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt
- Make the egg wash by combining the egg, egg white, water, and flour in a shallow bowl, mixing until combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper, mixing to combine.
- One by one, dip each slice of eggplant into the egg mixture, coating completely. Then, toss in the breadcrumb mixture, evenly coating each side.
- Place breaded eggplant rounds into the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Flip eggplant slices and cook for an additional 3 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, until eggplant begins to turn a light golden brown.
- Add a heaping spoonful of marinara sauce and a thin slice of mozzarella cheese to the top of each eggplant slice. Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes at 375 degrees, or until the cheese melts.
- Remove from air fryer, garnish with some fresh basil, if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Instead of marinara sauce, feel free to use your favorite pasta sauce, or crushed tomatoes with basil.
There is SUCH a difference between air fryers. The first time you make this recipe, I recommend to check the eggplant frequently. As it approaches a light golden brown, it's time to move to the final steps of the recipe with the sauce and cheese.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 304Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 66mgSodium 971mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 5gSugar 7gProtein 16g
The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app, and may be incorrect.
If you love this easy air fryer recipe, check out the other air fryer recipes on my site.
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