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My Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan skips the breading but keeps all the flavor, and it is naturally low carb, keto, and gluten free. You’ll love how fast it comes together with no peeling and no salting required. Simply season the slices, air fry until tender, then add sauce and cheese for a cozy, effortless take on eggplant that is perfect for busy nights.
Great recipe for small bites!
– Brian
🍆 Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients
- 1 small eggplant (about 5-6 ounces or 142-170g; a baby eggplant may be perfect for this)
- ¼ teaspoon each: dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- ¼-½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking oil spray
- Fresh basil (optional garnish)
Get a printable recipe card below!
All air fryers cook a little differently, so you may need to adjust the cooking times if yours runs hotter or cooler than mine. Depending on the size of your basket, you might also need to cook the eggplant in batches if the slices do not fit in a single layer.
Do you peel eggplant before cooking?
No, don’t peel your eggplant unless it is extremely blemished and unsightly. You’ll save yourself some extra work and help reduce food waste in your kitchen by leaving the eggplant unpeeled.
➕ How to Make Eggplant in the Air Fryer with No Breading
Rinse the eggplant, then slice off the stem and blossom ends. Cut it into ½ inch thick rounds (1.27 cm), keeping the slices as even as possible for consistent cooking. You should have about 8 slices.
If you usually salt eggplant to reduce bitterness, you can do so, but I find it unnecessary here.
Mix together the oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Lightly mist the eggplant slices with cooking spray, then season both sides with the herb mixture.
Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the eggplant in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Air fry at 375F (190C) for 8 to 10 minutes, adding time as needed until the eggplant is tender.
Flip the eggplant slices and mist lightly with cooking spray. Top each slice with about ½ to 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce, ½ tablespoon of mozzarella cheese, and ½ teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.
Air fry at 350F (177C) for 3 minutes, just until the cheese melts. Garnish with fresh basil (if desired). Serve warm and enjoy.
How to Reheat Eggplant Parmesan
The air fryer works beautifully for reheating. Air fry leftover eggplant parmesan for 2 to 3 minutes at 400F (200C). You can also reheat it in the oven at 350F (177C) until heated through.
Is It Better to Freeze Eggplant Parmesan Before or After Cooking?
Martha Stewart recommends freezing eggplant parmesan before baking. This helps prevent the eggplant from becoming watery after thawing and reheating.
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan (No Breading Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 small eggplant (about 5-6 ounces or 142-170g)
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼-½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- cooking oil spray of choice
- fresh basil (optional; for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse the eggplant, then slice off the stem and blossom ends. Cut it into ½ inch thick rounds (1.27 cm), keeping the slices as even as possible for consistent cooking. You should have about 8 slices.
- Mix together the oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Lightly mist the eggplant slices with cooking spray, then season both sides with the herb mixture.
- Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the eggplant in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, adding time as needed until the eggplant is tender.
- Flip the eggplant slices and mist lightly with cooking spray. Top each slice with about ½ to 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce, ½ tablespoon of mozzarella cheese, and ½ teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.
- Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes, just until the cheese melts. Garnish with fresh basil (if desired). Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). These eggplant parmesan bites work well as a light, veggie forward lunch or dinner on their own, with the cheeses providing a modest amount of protein. If you would like to add more volume while keeping things light, try serving them over lightly wilted spinach or other greens. They are also lovely over spiralized squash noodles. For a more filling, higher energy meal, you can pair the eggplant with a legume-based pasta and extra tomato sauce. This option adds more protein and carbohydrates, as well as increasing the calories.Is eggplant parmesan healthy?
Traditional eggplant parmesan is often fried, which adds a significant amount of oil. Air frying offers a lighter alternative that uses less added fat while still delivering plenty of flavor. Skipping the breading is another simple way to reduce calories without sacrificing enjoyment. Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
👨🍳 More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Good to know that works too! It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Wow great post.
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
Great recipe for small bites! You’re right about eggplants being oil sponges and baking them is a fantastic alternative! Those bites would be great for a tapas style party or a buffet. Thanks for posting!
I would love to see something like this at a buffet! Btw, I think your site is still blocking my comments. 🙁 I left you one on your most recent post but it does not appear to be showing up. Things are getting a little odd over there, huh? haha
Wow. I don’t understand why your comments are getting blocked. I’ll look into it. I still greatly appreciate your effort in making the comment. Thanks!????
You are welcome. I’ll keep trying! 🙂