If you are a fan of the crispy breaded eggplant, but not a fan of frying (and all the after mess), try this air fried version made with no oil (and no mess!)
- Eggplant - Large eggs - Panko breadcrumbs - Parmesan cheese - Kosher salt - Seasonings
Cut up the eggplant into ½-inch slices, and lay them on a surface lined with paper towels. Sprinkle salt on top of the eggplant, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Use a sheet of paper towel to pat dry the eggplant slices, removing any excess moisture.
Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl. Then, whisk together the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings in another one.
Dip the eggplant slices first in the eggs and then the panko mixture, being sure to coat all the sides of the eggplant.
Transfer the eggplant pieces to the air fryer basket in a single, even layer. No slices should overlap, so you may need to air-fry your eggplant in multiple batches.
Cook the breaded eggplant until they turn light brown (approximately 14 minutes), flipping each slice halfway through. Serve it with your favorite sauce on the side.
Be sure to check out the blog post for ingredient substitutions, helpful tips, and storage instructions.
Want to take it a step further? Using the same breaded eggplant, you can make a delicious Eggplant Parmesan in your air fryer. And it is much healthier than its fried version!