Air Fryer Eggplant

close-up overhead of eggplant on a white plate with side of sauce

If you're a fan of crispy breaded eggplant, then you'll love this air fryer eggplant. This recipe is easy to make in just minutes with less oil than pan-frying. It's also vegan-friendly and can easily be made gluten-free with just one swap! Perfect as is, with a side of marinara, or make it Parmesan-style.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Vegan, vegetarian

Keyword air fryer, eggplant, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 18

Servings

Calories 104kcal

Author Sherri Hall

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 eggplant (approximately 14-16 ounces)
1 ¼ cup plain panko bread crumbs (use GF if needed; I used Ian's brand)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoon *aquafaba (in liquid form)
non-aerosol, propellant free olive oil spray

Instructions

Peel the eggplant (if desired) and cut into ¼-inch thick round slices.
Combine the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper on a plate.
Add the aquafaba to a small, shallow bowl.
Dip each slice of eggplant into the aquafaba followed by the bread crumb mixture. Place on a plate and continue until all of the slices are coated.
If your brand of air fryer comes with an elevated crisper plate/tray, be sure to insert it into the basket. Lightly grease the crisper plate or bottom of the air fryer basket with the oil spray.
Add the eggplant slices to the air fryer in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer and your eggplant slices, you may have to work in **batches.
Lightly spray the tops of the eggplant slices with the oil spray and air fry at 390° F for 3-5 minutes per side until browned and crispy, flipping once. Note that it will take less time with each recurring batch.

Video

Notes

*If you are not vegan or not avoiding eggs, you can use 2 eggs, beaten, in place of the aquafaba.

**It took 4 batches in my 5.5-quart air fryer.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Please note the nutrition was calculated without the olive oil spray and does not include the aquafaba since there is limited information regarding its nutritional composition. According to this Healthline article, aquafaba adds approximately 3-5 calories per tablespoon.

Nutrition