Original Post: https://www.evolvingtable.com/air-fryer-eggplant/
Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe
This Air Fryer Eggplant turns simple cubes into golden, caramelized bites that are crispy on the edges and tender in the middle, with no salting and no breading required. It takes 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes in the basket... and even friends who swear they don’t like eggplant end up loving it.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound eggplant cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons oil olive or avocado
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs optional
Instructions
- Add cubed eggplant to a large bowl along with oil, salt, and pepper. Toss until well coated.1 pound eggplant, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Place eggplant in a 6-quart air fryer basket, making sure it is evenly spread out.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 10-11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
- Serve immediately with finely chopped fresh herbs and a sprinkle of salt, to taste. Enjoy!Fresh herbs
Notes
- Eggplant: Choose a firm eggplant with smooth, shiny skin and no soft spots.
- Cut Evenly: Keep the cubes roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Don't Peel: There's no need to peel the eggplant. The skin softens as it cooks and helps the cubes hold their shape.
- Oil: Coat the cubes evenly, but don't overdo it. Eggplant absorbs oil quickly, and too much can make it greasy.
- Single Layer: Leave a little space between the cubes so they roast instead of steam. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Shake: Toss or shake the basket halfway through cooking for even browning on all sides.
- High Heat: A hot air fryer helps caramelize the outside while keeping the centers tender.
- Don't Overcook: Remove the eggplant once it's golden brown and fork-tender. Cooking too long can make the cubes overly soft or mushy.
- Seasoning: Eggplant works with almost anything. Try garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, Parmesan, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Nutrition
Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
