Air Fryer Eggplant

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Eggplant is a staple in the Mediterranean diet, used in everything from salads and dips to hearty main dishes. If you’ve been around here a while, you know I cook with it often, especially in the summer when I grow it in my garden. It’s surprisingly easy to grow!

We love using eggplant in Baba Ghanoush, this Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad, Ratatouille, Mediterranean Grilled Vegetable Couscous, or Eggplant Curry. Air fryer eggplant recipes are my favorite and today I am sharing how to make Air Fryer Eggplant. This is a quick, easy way to enjoy it in under 25 minutes.

You can slice it into rounds or cubes to serve as a side dish or mix it into pastas, grain bowls, or salads. I especially love it paired with summer vegetables and chickpeas.

Eggplant is often underrated, but it’s incredibly versatile and easy to cook. Try it as classic air fryer bites or turn it into crispy eggplant fries!

Why You Will Love this Recipe

• Easy Prep: This is such an easy way to roast a whole eggplant in an air fryer. It cooks in under 25 minutes. It helps to create a tender inside when air frying the eggplant. The clean-up is also minimal since everything cooks right inside the air fryer!
• Crispy: You get that golden, crispy texture with just a light brush of oil, no need for heavy breading or deep frying.
• Versatile: Use it in bowls, dips like baba ghanoush, wraps, salads like this Eggplant Salad, or serve it with marinara or tzatziki for dipping.

Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions. 

• Eggplant: For this recipe I used two medium eggplants that I cut in half. If you can find either Globe Eggplant {American Eggplant} or Italian Eggplant, these varieties will work best.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The olive oil helps create a crisp texture, prevent dryness, enhance the flavor of the eggplant and reduces it from sticking to the basket of the air fryer. You don’t need much, just a light brush or spray goes a long way for great texture and flavor. You also can use avocado oil if you like.
• Spices: You don’t have to use spices and can just use a little salt and pepper. I do find that adding a sprinkling of spices helps bring out the flavor of the eggplant. For a Mediterranean twist try sumac or za’atar.

How to Make Air Fryer Eggplant

Step 1: Wash and Cut: Wash and dry the eggplants. Cut them each in half.

Step 2: Remove Moisture: Generously sprinkle salt on each half of the eggplant and let sit for 30 minutes to draw the moisture out. Use a paper towel to dry the eggplant and remove moisture.

Step 3: Olive Oil: Brush the eggplant with the 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and your favorite spices.

Step 4: Air Fry: Put the eggplant in the air fryer basket and air fry at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the eggplant flesh is soft and the just turning golden brown. Remove and scoop it out of the skin or chop the eggplant to use in recipes like ratatouille or pasta dishes or you can add it to salads with a squeezes of lemon juice.

Ways to Use Air Fryer Eggplant

• Pasta: I love adding air fryer eggplant to pasta dishes. It has a slightly crispy texture when it is cooked in the air fryer which is nice in pasta dishes. You can peel the skin off the cooked eggplant and chop the eggplant with the skin on. One I really love is this Ratatouille Papperdelle, or you could add the eggplant into this Spicy Sausage Pasta. You also can serve the eggplant with Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese on top of pasta with a delicious red sauce.
• Salads: If you are looking to take your salads to the next level try adding this air fryer eggplant. A few that it would be great in are this Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Lemon Arugula Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad.
• Dips: When I make Baba Ghanoush I like to use this air fryer eggplant, especially in the colder months when I don’t want to grill. Eggplant and tahini pair so nicely together.
• Side Dish: This eggplant would be great as a side dish with pita bread. I suggest chopping the finished eggplant into small chunks, or eggplant pieces. You can toss with more spices when you are finished to take the flavor to the next level.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerator: Let the eggplant cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to crisp it back up (avoid the microwave, as it makes it soggy).
• Freezer: To freeze, place cooked eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid (1–2 hours), then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can air fry directly from frozen at 375°F for 5–7 minutes.