Tender slices of fresh eggplant are breaded and air-fried with marinara sauce and loads of melty mozzarella cheese for the perfect weeknight meal!
- Flavor: Sweet eggplant, a crispy, savory breading, and loads of melty cheese make a classic trio of flavors!
- Skill Level: This easy recipe is beginner-friendly; just bread, air fry, and layer.
- Recommended Tools: The air fryer makes wholesome and delicious foods without the fuss and mess of deep-frying.
- Serving: Serve with spaghetti or a Caesar salad for a delicious meal!
Easy Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients
- Eggplant: Eggplant is super easy to prep; no peeling needed! Just rinse, pat dry, and slice evenly so it cooks up perfectly. Look for medium, firm eggplant without bruises for nice uniform rounds.
- Breading: Flour, breadcrumbs, seasonings, and parmesan cheese are all it takes for this simple breading. Try a panko mixture for more texture and garlic or onion powder for more flavor.
- Sauce: Buy your favorite brand or make your own marinara and have lots leftover for other recipes!
- Variations: Use chicken breasts to make a classic chicken parmesan in the air fryer. Don’t have an air fryer? Place the breaded eggplant rounds on a rack over a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until browned and crispy.
How To Make Eggplant Parmesan in the Air Fryer
- Bread: Dip eggplant slices in flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture (recipe below).
- Spray: Coat each slice with cooking spray.
- Cook: Air fry in a single layer until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
- Top: Top with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and air fry until the cheese melts.
Garnish with parsley, basil, or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and serve hot.
Leftover Love
Keep leftover air fryer eggplant parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze portions without the sauce and cheese up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the air fryer with a scoop of extra marinara and fresh mozzarella cheese.
Enjoy leftovers tucked into a pita bread or a wrap for a hearty workday lunch, or serve on top of mashed potatoes, homemade egg noodles, or low-carb zucchini noodles.
More Ideas for Eggplant
Did you enjoy this Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Make perfectly crispy, golden air fryer eggplant parmesan for a lighter, easier way to enjoy this classic comfort food!
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Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
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Slice eggplant into ½” slices and dry with a paper towel.
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Mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
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Place flour in another bowl and whisked eggs in another.
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Dip the eggplant slices in the flour, then the egg, and finally into the bread crumb mixture.
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Spray each side of the eggplant with cooking spray and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
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Cook for 5 minutes then flip the slices over and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
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Place marinara sauce and shredded cheese on top and cook for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
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Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve with additional sauce if desired.
- Cook in batches, and do not crowd the air fryer basket.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Reheat in the air fryer or under the broiler until heated through and crispy again.
Calories: 281 | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 815mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 685IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 242mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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