Best Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe for A Perfect Side Dish
This air fryer eggplant is perfect as a side that pairs well with any main course, can be enjoyed as an appetizer or light dinner on its own.
Servings: 3
Calories: 157kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Sicilian eggplant
- 3 tbsp corn grits
- 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Wash the eggplant thoroughly. Slice it into 1/4-inch thick half-circles and sprinkle each slice with salt on both sides. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Then, pat dry the eggplant slices with paper towels.1 Sicilian eggplant, a pinch of salt
- Pour the corn grits into a flat plate. Add garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and coriander. Stir with a dry whisk until all spices and seasonings are well combined.3 tbsp corn grits, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp coriander
- Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with olive oil. Then, coat each slice with the seasoned corn grits mixture.1 tbsp olive oil
- Place the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Pop them in the preheated air fryer and fry for 5 minutes.
- Flip them over and cook the other side for another 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Continue frying for another 5 minutes or until the eggplants are golden brown and crispy.1 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 1 tbsp cheddar cheese
- Once cooked, remove the air fryer eggplant slices from the basket. Arrange on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side dish to your main course. Enjoy!
Notes
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispy texture. Cook them in batches if needed.
Remove Bitterness: To remove the bitterness from eggplant without salt, soak the sliced eggplant in water for 15-20 minutes before cooking. This helps draw out the bitter compounds.
Adjust Cooking Time: Keep an eye on your eggplant slices while air frying as cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the air fryer model you’re using.
Less Mushy: To make eggplant less mushy, make sure to blot the slices with paper towels after salting them. This removes excess moisture and prevents sogginess.
Serve Immediately: To enjoy them while still crispy, serve your air fryer eggplant immediately after cooking. If you need to hold them before serving, place them on a wire rack to prevent them from becoming soggy. If you need to keep them warm, place them in a low oven (around 200°F) until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg