Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, this air fryer eggplant has become a go-to appetizer in my kitchen. It’s a lighter, less messy take on the traditional fried version, but just as satisfying.
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Eggplant Parmesan is one of our go-to Italian meals, but honestly, I’m usually just after the crispy breaded eggplant slices, no noodles needed. I love dipping them straight into marinara sauce. With the air fryer, I can skip the frying and still get that same golden, crunchy texture without all the oil.
This dish is simple to make with just a few basic ingredients; eggplant has never tasted so good! Coated in seasoned Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, they are a breeze to cook in the air fryer and come out crispy without the need for lots of oil.
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Fried Mushrooms and Crispy Air Fryer Bacon too!
A Quick Glance at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Eggplant - I typically use standard globe eggplant for this recipe. It’s easy to find and has the perfect size for slicing into rounds. Look for one that’s firm, shiny, and feels heavy for its size. Avoid eggplants with soft spots or wrinkled skin.
- For the Breading Station - eggs, milk, Italian-style breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese
- Oil for spraying the eggplant
Recommended Tool
I love this oil sprayer for getting a light, even coating without overdoing it. It's ideal for air frying.
How to make crispy air fryer eggplant slices
Step 1: Gather your ingredients. Place eggplant rounds on a wire rack in a single layer and sprinkle kosher salt on all sides. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes to release any excess moisture.
Step 2: Rinse the salt off the eggplant and dry it with a towel. Preheat the air fryer basket to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the eggs and milk to one bowl and whisk to combine. In another bowl, add Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese and mix to combine.
Dip the eggplant rounds in the egg mix, then coat them with the breadcrumb mix.
Step 3: Spray the preheated air fryer basket with a little bit of oil and then add eggplant slices to the basket in a single layer. Note that all your eggplant slices may not fit in the basket, and you may need to cook these in batches.
Close the air fryer basket and cook eggplant slices at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes, flipping and spraying with oil halfway through.
Step 4: Remove eggplant slices and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. Cook the remaining eggplant slices the same way. Serve and enjoy.
Can you make them ahead of time?
These crispy eggplant rounds are best served immediately after cooking, when they are nice and crispy. You can get ahead of things by salting and breading them earlier in the day, then keeping them covered in the fridge until you are ready to cook and serve.
How to Store and Reheat
Leftover eggplant slices can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes until hot and crispy again. I don’t recommend microwaving, as it tends to make the breading soggy.
Why do you need to salt the eggplant?
It's essential to salt the eggplant slices before you bread and air fry them. Salting them helps to draw out the moisture so that they crisp up. If you skip this step, the eggplant will steam as it cooks instead of crisping up.
What do you serve them with?
Once cooked, I like to sprinkle this crispy air fryer eggplant with a bit of salt and fresh parsley. They are great enjoyed by themselves, but work wonderfully with a dipping sauce like marinara or ranch.
Tanya's Recipe Notes and Tips
- If you want your eggplant slices extra crispy, use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
- Cook the eggplant slices in a single even layer so that they get crispy all over and the breading stays intact.
- These eggplant slices are great for making eggplant parmesan. In the alternative, you can serve them with marinara on the side and dip them in the sauce.
- These are very crispy once done, but will lose the crispiness the longer they sit out.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes To Try
If you loved this crispy eggplant, here are more reader-favorite air fryer recipes to explore next
- Air Fryer Carrots - This is one of my most popular air fryer recipes. You can enjoy them either sweet or savory.
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles - another great appetizer. I prefer this over deep-frying the pickles.
- Air Fryer Plantain - This fruit, typically deep-fried until tender, is excellent in the air fryer.
I hope you love this air-fried eggplant as much as we do. If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. I appreciate your support!
Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place eggplant rounds on a wire rack in a single layer and sprinkle kosher salts on all sides. Let sit for 30-40 minutes to release any excess moisture.
- Rinse the salt off the eggplant and dry with a towel.
- Preheat the air fryer basket to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add eggs and milk in one bowl and whisk to combine. In another bowl, add Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and mix to combine.
- Dip the eggplant rounds in the egg mix, then the breadcrumb mix to coat.
- Spray the preheated air fryer basket with a little bit of oil and then add eggplant slices in the basket in a single layer. Note that all your eggplant slices may not fit in the basket and you may need to cook these in batches. Close the air fryer basket and cook eggplant slices on 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway through. Remove eggplant slices and lightly sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Cook the remaining eggplant slices the same way.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
- Cook the eggplant slices in a single even layer so that they get crispy all over and the breading stays intact.
- These eggplant slices are great for making eggplant parmesan. In the alternative, you can serve them with marinara on the side and dip them in the sauce.
- These are very crispy once done but will lose the crispiness the longer they sit out.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on September 7, 2021. It has been updated with new information.
Jeanne says
It’s a keeper. Being from Louisiana ,I added a little Creole seasoning and decided to peel the eggplant . Delicious! Definitely will tell my friends about this awesome recipe.
Tanya says
Thank you so much Jeanne! I love that you added some creole seasoning. I'm going to do that next time.
Jenn says
Came out perfect! Used the eggplant for eggplant parm and it came out better than ever.
Tanya says
Thanks Jenn! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Linda says
My air fryer did not have a 370 setting . I did 360 for 6 minutes turned them then 375 for 5 minutes. Wow! Great. Placed them in low oven to keep warm . This is a keeper! Thanks
Tanya says
Thanks, Linda! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Lori says
Excellent recipe. I made eggplant Parmesan and it was a - very crispy on both sides and I didn't need to flip it. I will make again in!
Tanya says
Thanks, Lori! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Brandi says
Used your recipe...these were GREAT!!!! Thank you so much.
Tanya says
Thanks Brandi! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Amber says
This sounds absolutely amazing. I just created a keto Fried eggplant recipe and it's out of this world good.
Jill Zinner says
Yesterday, I baked eggplant slices 1/4 inch thick for another recipe and the skin on the eggplant was tough and like string...This has happened before...can I peel the eggplant? Is there a type of eggplant that does not have such a tough skin?
Thank you...by the way, I really enjoy your posts.
Jill Zinner
Tanya says
Hi Jill, yes, you can peel the eggplant. Larger eggplants tend to have tougher skin.