Make an easy side dish with this Air Fried Eggplant, simple to make gluten-free too!
Use freshly grated parmesan cheese paired with Italian seasoning to coat fresh sliced eggplant. Once it’s coated, use the air fryer to create an Air Fried Eggplant, perfect for dipping in marinara sauce!
This easy recipe is a great appetizer served before pasta dishes or pizza. The crispy eggplant slices are a great snack option too.
How do you make Gluten-Free Air Fried Eggplant?
A few swaps are needed to make gluten-free fried eggplant, this includes using gluten-free all-purpose flour along with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
The flour does need to be a 1:1 even swap with traditional flour. We prefer to use King Arthur or Better Batter; however, Cup 4 Cup and Bob’s Red Mill work well too.
I like to use panko breadcrumbs, but any gluten-free breadcrumbs will work.
What type of seasoning should you use to air fry eggplant?
For this eggplant, we use a combination of Italian Seasoning and Parmesan Cheese to give the eggplant flavor.
Fresh herbs can also be used to garnish or add flavor to the eggplant too.
Very little salt is used; however, it is nice to sprinkle salt on top before serving if you prefer.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Eggplant:
First, slice the eggplant into 1/8 inch slices and set these aside.
Next, it is time to create your dredging station. This means that you will need a small bowl or shallow dish for the floor, a small bowl for the egg, and an additional bowl for the bread crumbs and seasoning.
The eggplant slices will be dipped in the flour mixture and coated well, then carefully dip the eggplant slice into the egg mixture.
Allow excess liquid to drip off before fully coating the eggplant with the bread crumb mixture.
Aluminum foil can be placed inside the air fryer basket, be sure to roll up the sides so the air can easily circulate. Once the aluminum foil is in place, coat it with grapeseed oil spray. Some oil is going to be necessary for this recipe. Check out this article on high smoke point oils.
Carefully place the breaded eggplant onto the greased aluminum foil and proceed with cooking the eggplant at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes, then rotate it carefully and cook an additional 5 minutes. Remember it needs to be in a single layer with room around the eggplant for it to cook.
Each time the eggplant is placed in the air fryer and rotated, it needs to be coated with grapeseed oil spray. This will create crispy eggplant and if it looks floury at all, just give it a coat of spray. The final result should be golden brown eggplant slices with nice crispy edges.
How do you store leftover eggplant?
Extra eggplant can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When ready to reheat, heat on a microwave-safe plate for 1 minute or heat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes.
For best results, serve the eggplant fresh right after making it.
If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to check out this Air Fryer Zucchini too!
This Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe will be a great addition to your air fryer recipes, it’s a simple recipe that is easy to make with a wonderful flavor!
Enjoy this air-fried eggplant!
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Air Fried Eggplant (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 Eggplant
- 2 Eggs Beaten
- 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Flour
- 1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs or Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- Grapeseed Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Thinly slice the eggplant, about 1/8"-inch slices and set aside.
- Add the flour to a small bowl.
- In a small bowl, crack the eggs and whisk or beat them well to combine.
- Lastly, mix together the breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasoning in a third bowl.
- Dip each eggplant slice in flour mixture, shake off the excess.
- Dip it into the eggs again shaking off any excess and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place a sheet of foil in the air fryer basket with a coat of grapeseed oil spray. Be sure it's rolled up on the side to allow the air to circulate.
- Place the eggplant in the air fryer. I was able to do 4 at a time with this method, it will vary depending on size.
- Add another coat of spray on top of the eggplant.
- Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Carefully turn the eggplant and coat with olive oil spray.
- Then cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove and serve.
Susan Fueshko says
Either I missed, it , or you don’t mention what temp to cook the eggplant in the airfryer.
Kristy says
It’ll be found in the recipe card, but it’s 390 degrees 5 minutes, then turn them and do another 5 minutes.
Ty can’t wait to tru says
Ty I can’t wait to try this
Rosanne says
Your recipe says use foil in the fryer…. my brother did and we had a fire.
No foil goes in fryer !!!!
Why does your recipe say that?
Kristy says
Hi there, I’m awfully sorry to hear that. We use it regularly in the air fryer. Here is more information on it, it will depend on your air fryer; however, with both the Ninja Foodi and GoWise for us it has not been any issue. https://www.usa.philips.com/c-f/XC000003625/can-i-use-baking-papertin-foil-in-my-philips-airfryer and https://bestkitchenguides.com/can-you-put-aluminum-foil-in-an-air-fryer/
martina mullen says
Can’t wait to try, if we wanted to then bake a tradition eggplant parm could i leave them i the fridge overnight? (ya know if there are any left after snacking on them as they come out!)
Kristy says
Yes, you could do that and then reheat them. Of course, they taste the best right out of the air fryer. 😉