Can You Put Aubergine (Eggplant) In An Air Fryer?

Aubergines are one of those vegetables that you either love or you hate. We happen to love them and we especially love the way they cook in the air fryer. In this article we’re going to share 3 different ways we cook eggplants in the air fryer. We’re sure that if you like aubergines, you’ll love cooking them in the air fryer as well.

Eggplants are a great food choice because they are low in carbs, gluten-free and suitable for vegans and those following a paleo diet. Plus these simple air fryer eggplant recipes can be served with almost any main course.

How To Cook Sliced Eggplant In An Air Fryer

This recipe is so simple and yet so tasty, we’re sure you and your dinner guests will love it.

Ingredients

• 1 Aubergine
• 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon of Italian Herbs
• Salt & Pepper

Method

1. Slice the aubergine into discs
2. Mix the oil and Italian herbs, salt & pepper in a bowl
3. Brush this mixture on both sides of the aubergine slices
4. Preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F)
5. Arrange the aubergine slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket ensuring there is a space between each one
6. Air fry for 10 minutes or until the slices are soft and turned golden brown
7. Serve

Air Fryer Sliced Aubergine Cooking Tips

• All air fryers are different so you’ll need to keep a check on how cooked the slices of aubergine are and adjust your cooking time accordingly
• Don’t make the aubergine slices too thin and try to keep them relatively equal thickness
• If you prefer your aubergine more crispy you can draw some moisture out using salt (see below)
• If you’re cooking in batches, the timings will become shorter as the air fryer heats up
• You can use any herbs or spices

How To Remove Moisture From Aubergines

Back in the old days when we first started using aubergines,they had to have some of the moisture drawn out of them because the moisture contained a bitterness.

Thankfully, selected breeding programs have eliminated the need for this process. However, the technique can still be used to help aubergines become crisp when cooked.

To draw moisture from the aubergine slices just do the following;

1. Place the salted aubergine slices in a sieve strainer
2. Allow the slices sit on the rack for around 30 minutes (this allows them to release their moisture
3. Pat dry using kitchen paper
4. The slices can now be seasoned and cooked 

How To Make Aubergine Chips In An Air Fryer

These aubergine chips are so easy to make and take virtually no preparation at all.

Ingredients

• 1 Aubergine
• 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
• ½ teaspoon of garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon of Paprika
• Salt & Pepper

Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F)
2. Cut the aubergine into chips sized sticks of roughly the same size and thickness
3. Place the aubergine chips into a large bowl and add the oil and seasoning ingredients
4. Ensure all of the chips are coated in the oil/seasoning
5. Place the aubergine chips in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 10 minutes
6. Shake the basket at around the halfway point
7. Serve 

Air Fryer Aubergine Chips Cooking Tips

• Don’t overfill the air fryer basket, you need to ensure there is adequate air flow to cook all of the chips
• Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the chips gets cooked evenly
• If you have to cook in batches, you might need to adjust cooking times after the first batch because the air fryer will have warmed sufficiently
• Try to keep the chips a similar size and thickness to ensure they cook evenly
• Instead of chips, you could cut the aubergine into cubes, these cubes should be coated in the same way, but will need less cooking time (6 to 9 minutes)

How To Make Breadcrumbed Aubergine In An Air Fryer

Cooking Aubergine in this way in the air fryer produces slices that are crisp and crunchy on the outside and soft and smooth inside.

Ingredients

• 1 Aubergine
• 170g (½ cup) of Bread Crumbs
• 170g (½ cup) of Plain Flour
• 85g (¼ cup) of Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg
• Salt & Pepper
• Olive Oil

Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F)
2. Slice the aubergine into equal thickness discs
3. Sprinkle the aubergine slices with salt on both sides and place in a colander, allow to drain for 30 minutes
4. Place the beaten egg into a bowl
5. Set up a dipping station by placing the flour in one bowl, the egg in a 2nd bowl and the breadcrumbs, parmesan and salt & pepper in a 3rd
6. Dip the aubergine in the flour and shake off any excess
7. Then dip the floured aubergine slices in the egg 
8. Then dip the egged slices in the breadcrumb mix
9. Put the coated aubergine slices on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to get the coating to stick
10. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking or place an air fryer paper liner in the basket
11. Place the slices in a single layer in the basket ensuring there is a gap between each slice
12. Air fry for 8 minutes
13. Turn the slices and air fry for a further 8 minutes or until golden brown
14. Serve

Air Fryer Breadcrumbed Aubergine Cooking Tips

• You can add any herbs or spices that you prefer
• Cooking times will vary from appliance to appliance
• If you have to cook in batches, you might need to adjust cooking times down after the first batch

What kind of factory is a chicken coop?
An eggplant!

SEE ALSO: 

• Can You Put Pork Loin In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put A Pork Joint In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Gammon In An Air Fryer?

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