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You only need 3 ingredients to make this super crispy air fryer eggplant! And with three different flavor options, it’ll be your new favorite side dish. These little bites taste fried but are made without all the mess and excess oil.
save this recipe!From sleepless nights in college to recent long nights packing and shipping out my vegetarian cookbook, I’ve grown to love my air fryer. I especially love it during the late nights when all I want is something fried, but the nutritionist in me tells me to keep it healthier.
And while you already know you can air fry vegetables like sweet potatoes and broccoli, you might not think eggplant is capable of getting crispy. But good news! It can get crispy, and it’s amazing!! Eggplant is super mild in flavor, so these little poppable nuggets take on any seasoning you add, just like your favorite seasoned fries.”
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grab these ingredients
You don’t need much (which also keeps these vegan and gluten free)! Jump to the recipe card for the quantities.
- Eggplant: This powerhouse veggie has lots of fiber and antioxidants. Any size or variety will do.
- Oil: Even in the air fryer, you need a little olive oil or avocado oil to get the perfect crunch.
- Seasoning: Always salt! And then, the sky’s the limit when it comes to seasonings!
My favorite spice blends
I love using spice blends to amp up the flavor. Eggplant is a nice blank base for whatever you want to toss it in. My favorites are:
- Smoky Garlic: Smoked paprika and garlic powder
- Mexican: Cumin and chili powder
- Italian: Italian seasoning
- More Ideas: Pop (get it?!) over to my popcorn seasoning post for more!
Why Salt?
Salting raw veggies like eggplant helps draw out some of the excess water content. The salt will draw out the water (you’ll see it beading up), and then you’ll either rinse or pat dry, depending on the recipe. This way, you will get crispy veggies when cooked instead of steaming them.
got Leftovers?
Go ahead and make a big batch. They won’t be crispy if you pack them for lunch to microwave, but they will still taste good! They can also be added to a salad, included in eggplant tacos, or if you’re home, give them a quick reheat in the air fryer.
Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant (+ Flavor Options)
Ingredients
Air Fryer Eggplant
- 1 eggplant
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp oil, 30 mL
Flavor Options (choose one)
- Smoky Garlic: 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder
- Mexican: 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder
- Italian: 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prep: Cut eggplant into ½ to 1 inch large cubes. Add them to a bowl along with salt, stirring to combine. Lay out a few layers of paper towels and spread eggplant cubes onto them. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat them as dry as you can.
- Flavor: In a large bowl toss together eggplant, oil, and your chosen flavor.
- Air Fry: Add eggplant to your air fryer in a single layer as possible (you may need to work in batches). Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 15 minutes, jostling the pan every few minutes, until golden brown and crispy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
Delicious and easy, thank you!