Eggplant Air Fryer Recipes: Healthy and Delicious Dishes to Try Today

Are you a fan of cooking with eggplant who wants to use healthier techniques? Your search has ended.

In this article, we will tell explore a specially designed delicious Eggplant Air Fry Recipe.

These dishes are very tasty and very easy to prepare, which is great for people who are very busy with work. Who want to keep themselves healthy. So, let's make delicious brinjal air fryer recipes.

Table of Contents

1. Why Choose Air Fryer for Eggplant Dishes

2. Classic Crispy Eggplant Fries

3. Eggplant Parmesan Delight

4. Flavorful Stuffed Eggplants

5. Eggplant and Chickpea Curry

6. Crispy Eggplant Sandwich

7. Delectable Eggplant Pizza

8. Eggplant and Zucchini Ratatouille

9. Crispy Eggplant Chips

10. Baked Stuffed Eggplant Boats

11. Conclusion

12. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Choose Air Fryer for Eggplant Dishes

When it comes to preparing eggplant dishes, choosing an air fryer can be a game changer for several reasons. Let's explore why the air fryer stands out as an excellent cooking method for eggplants:

1. Healthier Option

One of the primary reasons to opt for an air fryer is its ability to create healthier dishes. Unlike traditional frying methods that require a considerable amount of oil, the air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the food. 

This significantly reduces the need for added fats, making your eggplant dishes lower in calories and unhealthy saturated fats.

2. Crispy Texture

Despite using minimal oil, the air fryer can still achieve that desirable crispy texture that is often associated with fried foods. 

The hot air circulation in the air fryer effectively crisps up the outer layer of the eggplant, providing a satisfying crunch without the greasiness.

3. Time Efficiency

Cooking times in air fryers are renowned for being short. Compared to conventional ovens, they preheat faster and can cook the eggplant dishes in a fraction of the time. 

This makes them perfect for busy individuals who want a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

4. Energy Efficiency

Since air fryers are smaller than ovens, they require less energy to operate. This energy efficient quality not only saves power but also helps reduce your overall cooking costs.

5. Versatility

Air fryers are incredibly versatile appliances that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks. Aside from frying, they can also bake, roast, grill, and reheat food. 

This means you can use the air fryer for various eggplant dishes, from crispy fries to stuffed eggplant boats and everything in between.

6. Easy Cleanup

Cooking might be difficult to clean up after, but with an air fryer, it's simple. Most air fryer baskets and trays are non stick, making them easy to clean with just a gentle scrub or a run in the dishwasher.

7. Retains Nutrients

Air frying preserves more nutrients in the food compared to deep frying, as the shorter cooking time and lower oil usage help maintain the natural goodness of the eggplant.

8. Ideal for Small Kitchens

If you have limited kitchen space, an air fryer is an excellent addition to your culinary arsenal. Its compact size allows it to fit in small spaces without compromising on cooking capacity.

9. Safe Cooking Method

Air fryers are generally safe to use, as they eliminate the risk of hot oil splatters that can occur with traditional frying methods. They often come with safety features such as automatic shut-off timers, ensuring worry free cooking.

10. No Lingering Odors

Unlike deep frying, air frying produces minimal cooking odors. This means your kitchen won't be left with the lingering smell of oil after preparing your delicious eggplant dishes.

2. Classic Crispy Eggplant Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized eggplants
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten

Instructions:

1. Wash and slice the eggplants into long, thin strips resembling fries.

2. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

3. Dip each eggplant strip into the beaten eggs, then coat them with the breadcrumb mixture.

4. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Place the coated eggplant strips in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes or until they turn crispy and golden brown.

6. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

3. Eggplant Parmesan Delight

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Set up three separate bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.

2. Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.

3. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4. Place the breaded aubergine slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

5. Cook the aubergine for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is soft and the coating is crunchy.

6. Layer the cooked eggplant with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese on a baking dish.

7. Until the cheese is melted and bubbling, broil in the oven.

8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

4. Flavorful Stuffed Eggplants

Ingredients:

• 4 small eggplants
• 1/2 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the tops off the eggplants and scoop out the flesh, leaving a hollow shell.

2. Chop the eggplant flesh and mix it with cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4. Stuff each eggplant with the quinoa mixture.

5. Place the stuffed eggplants in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-18 minutes or until the eggplants are tender.

6. Serve as a delightful and healthy main course.

5. Eggplant and Chickpea Curry

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized eggplants, cubed
• Chickpeas in a can (15 oz), cleaned and drained
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant.

2. Add the cubed eggplants and cook until they start to soften.

3. Stir in the curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and turmeric powder.

4. Add the diced tomatoes, chickpeas, vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.

5. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

6. Transfer the curry into the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.

7. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving with rice or naan bread.

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6. Crispy Eggplant Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, cut into thick slices
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 burger buns
• Lettuce, tomato slices, and your favorite condiments

Instructions:

1. Season the eggplant slices with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Set up three separate bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.

3. Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.

4. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Arrange the breaded eggplant slices in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes or until they become crispy.

6. Assemble the crispy eggplant slices on burger buns with lettuce, tomato slices, and your favorite condiments for a delightful sandwich.

7. Delectable Eggplant Pizza

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, cut into thick rounds
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the eggplant rounds in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they are slightly tender.

3. Remove the eggplant rounds from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.

4. Top each eggplant round with marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, black olives, and sliced bell peppers.

5. Return the topped eggplant rounds to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving, and enjoy this unique and healthy eggplant pizza!

8. Eggplant and Zucchini Ratatouille

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized eggplant, diced
• 1 medium sized zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they become fragrant.

2. Add the diced eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the pan. Cook the veggies just until they begin to soften.

3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-12 minutes.

4. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Transfer the ratatouille mixture into the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes to enhance the flavors.

6. Serve as a delightful side dish or a light and healthy main course.

9. Crispy Eggplant Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Slice the eggplants into thin rounds.

2. In a bowl, toss the eggplant slices with olive oil, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4. Put the seasoned eggplant slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

5. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chips turn crispy and golden brown.

6. Enjoy these crispy eggplant chips as a guilt free and flavorful snack.

10. Baked Stuffed Eggplant Boats

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized eggplants
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh to create boats.

3. In a bowl, mix the scooped-out eggplant flesh with cooked quinoa, cooked lentils, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, chopped parsley, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper.

4. Stuff each eggplant boat with the quinoa mixture.

5. Place the stuffed eggplants on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the eggplants are tender.

6. Serve these flavorful baked stuffed eggplant boats as a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Conclusion

Eggplant air fryer recipes offer a fantastic way to enjoy this versatile vegetable in a healthier and tastier manner. From crispy fries and sandwiches to mouthwatering pizzas and stuffed dishes, there's an eggplant recipe for everyone's palate. 

Embrace the simplicity and convenience of air frying while savoring the delightful flavors of these eggplant dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of cheese for the Eggplant Parmesan Delight?

Ans: Absolutely! While mozzarella and Parmesan cheese work wonderfully, you can experiment with other types of cheese like cheddar or gouda for a unique twist.

2. How do I prevent the eggplant fries from becoming soggy?

Ans: To ensure crispy eggplant fries, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook them in batches if necessary, allowing enough space for air circulation.

3. Can I make the stuffed eggplant boats ahead of time?

Ans: Yes, you can prepare the quinoa mixture and stuff the eggplant boats in advance. Keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake and serve.

4. Are the eggplant chips suitable for dipping sauces?

Ans: Definitely! These crispy eggplant chips pair perfectly with various dips, such as tzatziki, hummus, or marinara sauce.

5. How do I store leftover ratatouille? 

Ans: Allow the ratatouille to cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the air fryer or on the stovetop before serving.