Making Eggplant Parmesan has never been easier than with the Air Fryer! Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, even the biggest meat eater will love this meatless meal!
I love the Air Fryer! It’s an appliance than can pretty much do it all. I’ve shared with y’all Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Asparagus Fries, Avocado Fries, and so many other amazing air fryer recipes! This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is going to be a staple in your dinner routine because it’s EASY and FAST! Perfect for meatless Monday or a hearty vegetarian meal! This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is much healthier than the fried version, and it's incredibly easy to make as well.
As I mentioned, this Eggplant Parmesan is quick and easy to make, here's how...
How to make Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Taking the large eggplant, slice it into thin even slices, about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread the eggplant slices out over some paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Sprinkle salt over the top of the slices, and gently rub the salt into the eggplant. Let this sit for at least 15 minutes.This will remove some of the excess moisture that's trapped in the vegetable.
- Get all the ingredients together. Making an assembly line is the easiest way to bread/coat the eggplant.
- Add the egg, water, and flour to a shallow bowl and whisk until combined; set aside. In a separate bowl/dish add breadcrumbs, seasoning, and parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
- Dip the eggplant slices into the egg mixture and coat completely. Then toss into the breadcrumb mixture and press into the crumbs. Flip and coat the other side until it is completely coated. Repeat for all the eggplant slices.
- Place the eggplant slices into the air fryer (do not overfill, you will have to cook in batches) and lightly spray the top with oil spray; I like a MISTO SPRAYER like this one.
- Set the air fryer to 370 degrees and 8 minutes. Remove the tray after 8 minutes, then flip the eggplant over. Close and set for 3 minutes at 370 degrees.
- After the 3 minutes, add marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese to the top of the slices. Close and set at 370 degrees and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Remove the air fryer eggplant parmesan from the air fryer and sprinkle with fresh basil if desired. Repeat cooking steps for all eggplant slices. Serve!
How to reheat Eggplant Parmesan:
- Add slices of eggplant parmesan back to the air fryer. Set to 400 degrees and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan?
- YES! Place slices in freezer bag and then squeeze out all of the air. Place into the freezer. Freeze for up to 6 months.
- To reheat from frozen, place in the air fryer while frozen, then set at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Check if heated through, if not, cook in additional 1 minute increments until heated through and crispy.
If you want to make a casserole type of dish instead of a stacked air fryer eggplant, I recommend this Eggplant Rollatini!
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
- COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation
Side dishes to serve alongside Eggplant Parmesan:
- Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus (2 ingredients)
- Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli (low calorie, low carb)
- 20 minute Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake
- The Best Ever Easy Garlic Bread
Making Eggplant Parmesan has never been easier than with the Air Fryer! Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, even the biggest meat eater will love this meatless meal!
- 1 large eggplant
- salt
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 4 TBS water
- 3 TBS flour
- 1 cup italian breadcrumbs
- 2 TBS parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced thinly (about 12 slices) OR ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- fresh basil, optional
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Taking the large eggplant, slice it into thin even slices, about ¼ inch thick. Spread the eggplant slices out over paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Sprinkle salt over the top of the slices, and gently rub the salt into the eggplant. Let this sit for at least 15 minutes.
-
Add the egg, egg white, water, and flour to a shallow bowl and whisk until combined; set aside. In a separate bowl/dish add breadcrumbs, seasonings, and parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
-
Dip the eggplant slices one by one into the egg mixture and coat completely. Then toss into the breadcrumb mixture and press into the crumbs. Flip and coat the other side until it is completely coated. Repeat for all the eggplant slices.
-
Place the eggplant slices into the air fryer (do not overfill, you will have to cook in batches) and lightly spray the top with oil spray. Set the air fryer to 370 degrees and 8 minutes. Remove the tray after 8 minutes, then flip the eggplant over. Close and set for 3 minutes at 370 degrees. After 3 minutes, add about a 1 TBS of marinara sauce on the top of each slice and spread. Then add mozzarella cheese to the top of the slices. Close and set at 370 degrees and cook for 2 more minutes.
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Remove the air fryer eggplant parmesan from the air fryer and sprinkle with fresh basil if desired. Repeat cooking steps for all eggplant slices. Serve!
Recipe Video
How to reheat Eggplant Parmesan:
- Add slices of eggplant parmesan back to the air fryer. Set to 400 degrees and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
How to freeze Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Place slices in freezer bag and then squeeze out all of the air. Place into the freezer. Freeze for up to 6 months.
- To reheat from frozen, place in the air fryer while frozen, then set at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Check if heated through, if not, cook in additional 1 minute increments until heated through and crispy.
Toni
My kids loved this! Such a huge hit at my house!
Jen
I've been trying to use my air fryer more, especially since it's so hot out and this looks amazing! Sending my husband out for eggplants to make tonight.
Lisalia
So delicious! I am new to using an air fryer and I cannot believe all the delicious things I can make with it. This was superb Eggplant Parmesan!
Amanda
Such a fantastic use of my air fryer!
Sara Welch
Another great recipe for my air fryer! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week; looks too good to pass up!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Eggplant Parmesan couldn't look any more perfect!
katerina @ diethood.com
Now this looks like the perfect eggplant parmesan!! YUM!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
I made this last night and everyone LOVED it!! Perfect eggplant parmesan!
Toni
This is so good!! Everyone at my house loved it!
Allyson
YESSS!!!
Trang
Such a fun recipe to get my kid to eat his veggies!
Allyson
They won't even realize!
William
There are various kinds of air fryers out there in the market now including ones with small baskets and the large 5 quart baskets for cooking. To begin with, the majority of the air fryers require no accession of oil in any respect.
Beth
Yum! This recipe looks so delicious and tasty! So excited to try this!
Toni Dash
This was really amazing! Love how easy it is to make!
Allyson
It really is so simple! So happy you loved it!
Miki
I made this last night and besides being easy to assemble, it was delicious! Thank you for the great recipe 🙂
Allyson
SO happy you loved it! This is becoming a staple in our dinner rotation too!
Dawn
I am fairly new to using an air fryer. This recipe was perfect. I only went as far as frying the eggplant, because I am freezing the breaded eggplant for future Parmesan dishes!.Thanks Allyson!
Amy
I don't cook much at all but I'm an avid gardener... I am doubly proud of this dish because I made something delicious AND I grew the eggplants myself. Even my vegetable-phobic husband enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much!
Allyson
You are amazing!!!! Total A+ for you!I wish my thumb was green, but I think it's like black because everything I try to grow dies!!!
Patrick McBride
*Tips fedora* I have a different egg plant that might interest you. *winks* *burps*. M'ladys
Rick Henry
My "go-to" recipe for Eggplant Parm! The only thing I changed is using panko in place of breadcrumbs.
Allyson
I will never make eggplant in the oven again! It is so easy in the air fryer! Happy you love it!