Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is deliciously healthy, and much faster to make than a traditional eggplant parm. Still cheesy and hearty, but no breading and less oil! 

When I set out to make an air fryer version of eggplant parm, I was looking to recreate the saucy, savory dish that was a favorite of my vegetarian clients when I was a personal chef. But what I found is that the air fryer actually turns this into an entirely different dish. The eggplant stays crispy, rather than being buried in sauce. And you can add just the amount of cheese you like. The result is a reimagined eggplant parm. Easier to make and much lighter than its oven-baked cousin.

Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Eggplant

• Just 4 Ingredients: You need only eggplant, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and olive oil for this dish, but the air fryer makes it all kinds of delicious. Vegetarian too!
• Lighter Version of Eggplant Parm: The air fryer makes this dish much lighter than a traditional eggplant parm since you won’t need nearly as much cheese or olive oil. No breading on the eggplant either!
• So Easy!: Just brown eggplant slices in the air fryer, then top with marinara sauce and cheese and air fry for a couple of minutes to heat sauce and melt cheese. Done! 

Air Fried Eggplant Ingredients

• Marinara Sauce: You can make your own marinara sauce for this dish, or you can use your favorite store-bought version. I recommend Rao’s Homemade Marinara, but choose whatever you like! 
• Mozzarella Cheese: Feel free to replace the mozzarella with any other good melting cheese. Monterey Jack would work, or try Provolone or Fontina. For a vegan version of this dish, look for vegan mozzarella shreds at the grocery store. 
• Olive Oil: You can brush regular olive oil on your eggplant slices, or use an olive oil misting spray instead. I love the mister for how easy it is to use, and how it coats your eggplant with a very thin even layer. 

How to Make Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

1. Slice eggplant into ¼-inch thick circles. Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt (using around a total of 1 teaspoon), then arrange them in a strainer. Put the strainer in the sink, and let sit for 20 minutes.

2. The eggplant slices will start to have bubbles of moisture on them, and will drain some liquid into the sink. Wipe salt and moisture off the eggplant slices, then place half of them on an air fryer rack.

3. Spray with olive oil cooking spray, or brush lightly with olive oil. Flip the eggplant slices and oil the other side. Air fry for around 7 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until top side is browned.

4. Remove tray from oven, flip eggplant slices, and air fry for another 5 minutes (or until eggplant slices are tender and the second side is browned). Remove tray from oven, then add a spoonful of marinara sauce to each eggplant slice and top with around a tablespoon of mozzarella cheese.

5. Put back into air fryer and fry for another 2 minutes, until cheese melts and starts to brown—watch closely. Remove from air fryer and repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.

Tips For Making Air Fried Eggplant

• If you are new to air frying, know that there are many different types of air fryers, and many of them vary in how hot they get, and how quickly. Play with your settings and watch carefully—you may find you need to reduce the temperature in a recipe or reduce the cook time.
• Pay careful attention to the last step of this recipe in particular—it usually doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to melt the cheese on the eggplant. You can go quickly from lightly browned to burned, so watch carefully.
• Make sure to try my Air Fryer Chickpeas for an excellent healthy snack! Or try this Air Fryer Falafel for another easy vegetarian meal in your air fryer. Air Fryer Portobello Mushroom Fries make an excellent easy side dish as well. And how about these Air Fryer Pizza Bagels and these Air Fryer Calzones? Such fun weeknight recipes.
• Want to know how to choose the best eggplant for this recipe? Look for one with a dark purple, smooth skin and something that is heavy for its size. Choosing an eggplant that has a relatively even diameter rather than one with a big bulb at the end will give you eggplant rounds that are about the same size. Not essential, but they look nicer and will cook a little more evenly! 

What to Serve With Air Fryer Eggplant Parm

Looking for a great side dish for your Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan? It’s excellent served with garlic bread or with some pasta on the side, such as this Angel Hair Pasta with Olives and Capers.

It’s also delicious with a hearty salad, like this Pear Gorgonzola Salad with Glazed Walnuts, or even a simple Caesar salad. You could even serve it with mashed potatoes for a filling vegetarian meal! 

Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Eggplant

You can store this eggplant parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You might want to lay the individual eggplant slices out in single layers, divided by parchment paper or waxed paper. Put the slices back in the air fryer to reheat, so that some of the crispiness of the eggplant edges will return. You can also reheat in the microwave if you don’t mind a softer dish.

Freezing Air Fried Eggplant

I would not recommend freezing this dish. The cheese will become rubbery in the freezing/defrosting process, and the eggplant slices will become mushy.

Eggplant Parmesan Air Fryer FAQs

Other Summer Vegetable Recipes

Love finding recipes for all the delicious summer vegetables? Me too! I have lots of options in my Summer Recipes archive, but here are a few of my favorites:

And if you have more eggplant to use up, why not try this Eggplant Bruschetta recipe?

If you try this Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below—I read them all, and your feedback is invaluable to me. And please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter. I'd love to inspire you with more delicious, healthy, and seasonal recipes!

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Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Chef Molly Pisula

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is deliciously healthy, and much faster to make than a traditional eggplant parm. Still cheesy and hearty, but no breading!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Vegetarian

Cuisine Italian

Servings 3

Calories 218 kcal

Equipment

Cuisinart Airfryer, Convection Toaster Oven, Silver

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 eggplant (about 1 pound)
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3.5 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or misting spray

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Slice eggplant into ¼-inch thick circles.
• Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt (using around a total of 1 teaspoon), then arrange them in a strainer. Put the strainer in the sink, and let sit for 20 minutes. The eggplant slices will start to have bubbles of moisture on them, and will drain some liquid into the sink.
• Wipe salt and moisture off the eggplant slices, then place half of them on an air fryer rack.
• Spray eggplant slices with olive oil cooking spray, or brush lightly with olive oil.
• Flip the slices and oil the other side.
• Air fry for around 7 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until top side is browned.
• Remove tray from oven, flip eggplant slices, and air fry for another 5 minutes (or until eggplant slices are tender and second side is browned).
• Remove tray from oven, then add a spoonful of marinara sauce to each eggplant slice and top with around a tablespoon of mozzarella cheese.
• Put back into air fryer and fry for another 2 minutes, until cheese melts and starts to brown—watch closely.
• Remove from air fryer and repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.

Notes

Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Great with a fried egg for breakfast!

Air Fryer Tips: Air fryers vary in how hot they get, and how quickly. Play with your settings and watch carefully—you may find you need to reduce the temperature in a recipe or reduce the cook time. Pay careful attention to the last step of this recipe in particular—it usually doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to melt the cheese on the eggplant. You can go quickly from lightly browned to burnt, so watch carefully.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 551mgFiber: 6gSugar: 10g

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