Make an easy side dish with this Air Fried Eggplant, simple to make gluten-free too!
Freshly grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning make a flavorful coating for sliced eggplant. After breading, the air fryer turns the slices golden and crispy — perfect for dipping in marinara or serving as an appetizer alongside pasta or pizza.
This simple recipe also works well as a snack. With a few easy swaps you can make it gluten-free without sacrificing texture or flavor.
How do you make Gluten-Free Air Fried Eggplant?
To make this eggplant gluten-free, replace regular all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with certified gluten-free all-purpose flour (1:1 swap) and gluten-free breadcrumbs. Brands such as King Arthur, Better Batter, Cup4Cup, or Bob’s Red Mill work well depending on availability.
Panko-style gluten-free crumbs give extra crunch, but any gluten-free breadcrumbs will produce good results.
What type of seasoning should you use to air fry eggplant?
This recipe uses Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan to build savory flavor. Fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or basil work nicely as a garnish or added into the breadcrumb mixture for extra brightness. Keep salt light before cooking and adjust to taste after plating.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Eggplant:
Slice the eggplant thinly — about 1/8 inch — for even cooking and crisp edges.
Set up a simple dredging station: one shallow dish for flour, one for beaten egg, and a third for the seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan.
Coat each slice in flour, shake off excess, dip in egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until well covered. Let excess egg drip off before adding crumbs to avoid clumps.
You can line the air fryer basket with foil for easier cleanup; leave the edges rolled up so air can circulate. Coat the foil lightly with grapeseed or another high smoke-point oil spray before placing the breaded slices. A small amount of oil spray is necessary to achieve a golden crust.
Place slices in a single layer with space around each for proper airflow. Cook at 390°F (about 200°C) for 5 minutes, carefully flip, spray the cut side with oil, and cook another 5 minutes. Depending on slice thickness and your air fryer model, times may vary slightly — check for a golden-brown finish and crispy edges.
If any slices look floury after flipping, spray them lightly with oil to crisp the coating. The end result should be golden slices with crisp, slightly browned edges.
How do you store leftover eggplant?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To reheat, warm on a microwave-safe plate for a minute or revive the crispiness in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes. For best texture, serve freshly cooked.
This crispy air-fried eggplant recipe is easy, flavorful, and adapts well to gluten-free diets — a delicious addition to your air fryer repertoire. Enjoy!
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Air Fried Eggplant (Gluten-Free)
Air Fryer Fanatics
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Eggplant
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Flour
- 1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs or Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- Grapeseed Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Thinly slice the eggplant into about 1/8-inch slices and set aside.
- Add the flour to a small shallow bowl.
- Crack and whisk the eggs in a second bowl.
- Mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a third bowl.
- Dip each slice in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip in beaten egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place a sheet of foil in the air fryer basket (edges rolled up) and spray lightly with grapeseed oil.
- Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer, leaving space for air circulation.
- Spray the tops with oil and cook at 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Carefully flip the slices, spray again, and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and serve warm.
Video
Notes
One medium eggplant typically yields 12–16 slices; you may need to work in batches depending on your air fryer capacity.
Air fryer models vary; check the eggplant halfway through cooking. Using foil is optional but makes cleanup easier.
Nutrition
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