Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

My family loooooves when I make deliciously crispy eggplant parmesan in the air fryer. It is one of their faves, and they ask for it lots. The kiddos love it atop some pasta for a totally filling and super satisfying meal. Trust me, this Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is a dish you’ll want to serve again and again. And again.

Peeps, I am super excited that I can share this air fryer eggplant recipe with you today. Eggplant isn’t used nearly as often as it should be (IMHO).  Which is a shame, as it is suuuuuch a delicious ingredient.

Like Air Fryer Burrito and Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms, this eggplant in air fryer recipe is really easy, and truly anyone can make it. All it takes is just 9-11 minutes, which includes the time needed to melt the cheese. #thenewfastfood. You get restaurant-quality food without having to leave your home.

P.S. you might also like this creamy dreamy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese.

And cooking eggplant parm in the air fryer is healthy too. This is doubly awesome if you are following a healthy eating plan, as it tastes amazing but with fewer calories.

Easy and quick to make, Crispy Air Fryer Parmigiana di Melanzane is a dish you’ll want to serve again and again, especially as a delicious meatless dinner option.

Why Make This Recipe

• Quick: Using the air fryer means this dish is ready to serve much faster than traditional Eggplant Parmesan.
• Affordable: Made from simple ingredients you already own.
• Healthier: This is a lighter version than when deep frying vegetables.
• Diet Friendly: it is suitable for vegetarian and gluten free diets.

Folks, are you ready to learn how easy it is to make this tasty air fried eggplant parmesan? Then gather up your ingredients, and I will show you…..

Ingredient Notes

You only need a handful of ingredients making this dish soooooo quick and easy to make. All you need is:

• Eggplant – For the best results, use medium-sized eggplants, as these are less watery and have fewer seeds.
• Salt – this can be plain or seasoned salt.
• Egg – use 1 large egg at room temperature.
• Gluten-Free breadcrumbs – use homemade or store-bought gluten-free bread crumbs or regular ones depending on dietary needs. For the best flavor, use seasoned breadcrumbs such as Italian seasoning.
• Grated parmesan cheese – I prefer freshly grated, but you can use pre-grated instead.
• Marinara sauce – just use your favorite sauce.
• Grated mozzarella cheese – I love all the cheese and use fresh mozzarella whenever I can.

How To Make Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

1. Preheat the air fryer to 250 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
2. Wash and slice eggplant into quarter-inch thick rounds. Discard the ends.
3. In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the breadcrumbs with the parmesan.
4. In a separate shallow bowl, beat the egg.
5. Next, dip each eggplant slice in egg until they are coated and let excess egg drip.
6. Then dredge the eggplant slices in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides. Then set coated eggplant aside.
7. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then add the breaded slices in a single layer making sure there is space between them.
8. Air fry for 7-9 minutes until soft.
9. Open the air fryer and then top the slices with marinara and mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
10. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, till the cheese is melted and bubbling.
11. Remove and repeat till all the slices are cooked. Serve immediately.

Air Fryer Eggplant Parm Tips And Variations

• Please preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Make sure to get nice firm eggplant, if they are soft, then they will not work well.
• Slice eggplant rounds to the same thickness so they cook at an even rate.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will need to cook these in multiple batches. This allows plenty of room so the air circulates and your food crisps up.
• You can use regular breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes rather than gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Season the egg or the breadcrumbs (or both!) for extra flavor.
• Add in seasonings – sprinkle on any of your favorite seasonings to give this extra flavor. Use garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs like oregano and basil, Italian seasoning, and of course, salt and pepper.
• If you want to crisp these up even more, then lightly spray them with some olive oil.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like fresh basil leaves or oregano.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cooking time, checking food for doneness, and then adding more time as needed.

Storage

• Leftovers – should be eaten within 3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Reheat – for a couple of minutes in the air fryer. For the best results, add some extra marina sauce and cheese before heating.

FAQs

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Burrito.
• Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
• Air Fryer Tater Tots
• Air Fryer Plantains
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken.
• Cauliflower Wings Air Fryer.

Serving Suggestions

Feel free to stack them up high and serve them with a lovely green salad or a dish of spaghetti or other pasta or mashed potato to make it a more substantial meal.

Alternatively, you can serve them as an appetizer with some marina sauce on the side to dip them into. We also love this with Frozen Garlic Bread Air Fryer or in a sandwich with crusty bread and extra marinara.

You can also serve it with salads like this Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad or a Crunchy Veggie Rainbow Salad.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Best Equipment To Use

• The Best Air Fryer.
• Awesome Air Fryer Accessories.
• Measuring spoons.
• Spatula.
• Best ever sea salt flakes.

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