Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe

Jan 27, 2025 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

Try this simple and delicious Air Fryer Eggplant recipe for a quick and healthy meal. Easy to make and versatile, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion.

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be transformed into an array of delicious dishes. When cooked in an air fryer, it achieves a perfect combination of tender insides and crispy, slightly charred edges. This blog post will guide you through my simple and flavorful air fryer eggplant recipe while offering helpful tips and tricks, storage suggestions, serving ideas, and recipe variations to elevate your cooking experience.

Video Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant (about 1 lb.)
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil (TIP: do not use extra virgin olive oil due to due to its low smoke point)

How to make Air Fryer Eggplant

1. Peel the eggplant and cut it into small cubes.

2. Place the eggplant cubes into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add the paprika, salt, and oil. Mix well to coat the cubes evenly.

3. Spread the eggplant pieces evenly over the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

4. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Choosing the Right Eggplant

• Size Matters: Look for a medium-sized eggplant, around one pound. Smaller eggplants tend to be sweeter and less bitter.
• Check for Freshness: Choose an eggplant with smooth, shiny skin and no blemishes. The vegetable should feel firm but slightly springy when you press it.

Prepping the Eggplant

• Peeling: While peeling is optional, removing the skin can help achieve a softer texture and reduce any potential bitterness.
• Uniform Cubes: Cutting the eggplant into evenly sized cubes ensures they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Best Practices

• Preheating: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to ensure consistent cooking temperatures.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the eggplant cubes in a single layer to promote even crisping. If you have a smaller air fryer, consider cooking in batches.
• Shaking the Basket: Shake the basket halfway through cooking to prevent sticking and ensure all sides are evenly cooked.

Flavor Boosts

• Marination Time: Let the seasoned eggplant sit for 5-10 minutes before air frying to allow the flavors to soak in.
• Add Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary,  or oregano can be added to the seasoning mix for an aromatic twist.
• Add More Seasonings: Black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Berbere, curry, onion powder, and Fajita seasoning make great additions to this recipe.

How to store Air Fryer Eggplant

• Refrigeration: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.
• Freezing. While freezing cooked eggplant is not ideal due to its high water content, you can freeze the raw, seasoned eggplant cubes. Lay them on a baking sheet in a single layer to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last for up to 2 months. Cook directly from frozen in the air fryer (no need to thaw), adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Ideas

This air fryer eggplant is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of meals:

• As a Side Dish. Serve alongside grilled meats, roasted chicken, or baked fish for a wholesome meal.
• In Salads. Add the air-fried eggplant cubes to a fresh salad with arugula, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a balsamic vinaigrette. Try my Iceberg Lettuce Salad or Spring Mix Salad.
• As a Topping. Use the eggplant as a topping for grain bowls, pasta, or even pizza for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
• Dips and Spreads. Blend the cooked eggplant with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice to make a quick baba ghanoush-inspired dip.
• Wraps and Sandwiches. Include the eggplant in wraps or sandwiches with hummus, roasted peppers, fresh basil,   and feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist. You can add eggplant to this Easy Hummus Wrap.

Recipe Variations for Air Fryer Eggplant

This recipe can be customized in numerous ways to suit your taste preferences:

• Spice It Up. Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a smoky, spicy kick. Swap paprika with garam masala and cumin for a flavorful Indian twist.
• Add a Crunch. Sprinkle the eggplant cubes with breadcrumbs or panko before air frying for an extra crispy texture.
• Cheesy Goodness. Toss the cooked eggplant with grated Parmesan cheese or sprinkle with crumbled feta right before serving.
• Saucy Options. Drizzle with a garlic yogurt sauce or tahini dressing for added richness.
• Veggie Medley. Mix the eggplant with other air-fried vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions for a colorful veggie medley.
• Make it in the Oven. You can bake this eggplant in the oven instead of air fryer. Just place it on a tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 425F for about 15-20 minutes. 

This air fryer eggplant recipe is not only quick and easy but also a delicious way to enjoy this nutrient-packed vegetable. With helpful tips, creative serving ideas, and adaptable variations, it’s a dish you can customize to suit any occasion. Whether you’re serving it as a snack, side dish, or the star of your meal, this recipe will surely become a favorite in your kitchen. Happy cooking!

More delicious air fryer recipes to try: Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Cornish Hens, or Air Fryer Pork Chops.

Air Fryer Eggplant

Tania Sheff

Try this simple and delicious Air Fryer Eggplant recipe for a quick and healthy meal. Easy to make and versatile, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion.