Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe

You’re going to love this Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe! It delivers perfectly tender eggplants with a slightly caramelized exterior every single time.

You can enjoy them as a snack or a side dish with garlic yogurt for dipping on the side, or use them to create delicious eggplant recipes like Chicken and Eggplant Fatteh or Turkish Moussaka – Patlican Musakka.

Eggplants are a staple in Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, and they’re one of my favorite vegetables. I use them in many recipes, from Mutabal (Roasted Eggplant Dip) to Greek Moussaka – Musaka and Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze).

Using my air fryer to prepare eggplants for these dishes is not only healthier but also quicker and creates minimal mess.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Eggplants – Select eggplants that are slightly firm but not hard. Peel them in stripes, resembling a zebra pattern, and cut them into bite-sized cubes or slices, depending on how you want to use them.

• Olive oil – I use extra virgin olive oil but you can substitute it with any other olive oil or vegetable oil. Eggplants can soak up a lot of oil, so it’s important to stick to the amount specified in the recipe. Adding extra oil may result in greasy eggplants, especially as they shrink during cooking.

• Salt and pepper – You can add other flavorings such as garlic powder, paprika, chopped herbs, or cumin powder if you want to use air fryer eggplants as a snack or a side dish.

How to Air Fry Eggplant?

Cooking eggplants in air fryer is a straightforward process. 

However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:

To prepare the eggplants, trim off both ends with a paring knife.

Peel the skin in strips, starting from the top and going down. Be careful to save as much flesh as possible. Cut the eggplants into ½ inch (one centimeter) cubes.

You can prefer to slice them ½ inch (one centimeter) thick circles, depending on what you want to make with your air-fried eggplants.

In a large bowl, toss the eggplant slices or cubes with salt, pepper, and olive oil until evenly coated.

Place the seasoned eggplant slices or cubes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.

Set the air fryer temperature to 205°C (400°F).

Air fry the cubed eggplants for 10-12 minutes or sliced eggplants for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and tender.

Once cooked, remove the eggplant from the air fryer and serve hot as a side dish, a snack, or use them in your favorite recipes.

Expert Tips From the Chef

• Chooseeggplants that are firm and smooth without any bruises or spots.

• Try to slice the eggplants into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.

• To ensure proper air circulation and even cooking, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the eggplant in batches if necessary.

• Flip the sliced eggplants or shake the cubed eggplants halfway through cooking.

• Keep an eye on the cooking time and adjust it if necessary.

How to Use Air Fryer Eggplants?

You can serve them as a low-carb side dish alongside the Vegan Air Fryer Falafel Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Patties, Air Fryer Chicken Skewers – Shish Kebabs, or Whole Chicken in Air Frer with Crispy Skin, or as an appetizer paired with a dip or a simple Greek yogurt and garlic sauce.

Just like Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, they also make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, wraps, or pasta dishes.

Alternatively, you can use them to create dishes such as Chicken and Eggplant Fatteh to Turkish Moussaka – Patlican Musakka.

Storage and Reheating the Leftovers

After cooking your air fryer eggplants, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave or oven. Just be sure not to overheat them to maintain their texture and flavor.

Recipe FAQs