Looking for a vegetable side dish that is easy to make and a nice change of flavor? Air fryer eggplant is the way to go!
With one eggplant, a few common spices, and your trusted air fryer, you can make an eggplant that is flavorful and crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside!
It’s a great veggie side dish, and you can also snack on it with hummus or use it as an ingredient in a salad!
Ingredients
- Eggplant – One medium eggplant without soft spots.
- Oil – We use avocado oil, but you can also use vegetable, canola, sunflower, or olive oil.
- Paprika – For extra flavor and a pop of color. We use regular mild paprika, but you can use smoked paprika if you like the taste.
- Italian seasoning – Alternatively you can use dried herbs of your choice, such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
- Garlic powder – Or granulated garlic. Adjust to taste.
- Cayenne pepper – Optional for a hint of spice.
- Salt – Add to taste.
Recipe Tips
- If you don’t like the spice combination we use in this recipe, feel free to modify it.
- Cut the eggplant into pieces of similar size so they cook evenly.
- Regardless of the size of your eggplant pieces, make sure they are cooked thoroughly. Consuming raw eggplant can be slightly harmful – it may cause nausea, etc. – so it’s important to ensure the eggplant is cooked.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer or the eggplant pieces may not cook evenly.
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Step by Step Instructions
For step-by-step photos on how to air fry eggplant, stick around this section.
If you’re confident you know what you’re doing, you can skip to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
First, wash the eggplant and cut the ends off.
Next, cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds (see photo above). Now cut these sticks into pieces, approximately 1 inch thick.
Place the cut-up eggplant into a bowl. Then add the oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Toss until the eggplant cubes are evenly coated. Don’t add the salt yet.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. When hot, add the eggplant.
The pieces should fit into the air fryer in one layer with little overlap. If you have a very small air fryer, you might have to cook this amount of eggplant in two batches.
Cook the eggplant for approximately 9-11 minutes total or until tender.
Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes to ensure the eggplant pieces cook evenly. Since every air fryer is slightly different, your cooking time can vary.
Remove the cooked eggplant from the air fryer, add it to a bowl and enjoy!
You can enjoy the eggplant pieces as an appetizer and dip them in hummus for a really nice flavor combo.
Air fryer eggplant makes a nice summer side to grilled meats and pasta sides (like cold and creamy pasta salads). You could even use it as an ingredient in a cold orzo salad.
Storage Tips
Air-fried eggplant tastes best when eaten fresh. However, you can store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the pieces may get more soggy over time.
You can eat them cold or choose to reheat them in the air fryer or microwave – that’s really up to you.
Related Recipes
If you loved this eggplant air fryer recipe, check out these other great air fryer vegetable recipes:
- Tasty Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Roasted Garlic
- Breaded Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Eggplant
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the eggplant and cut the ends off. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds (see process photo for visuals). Then cut these sticks into pieces, approximately 1 inch thick.1 medium eggplant
- Place the sliced eggplant in a bowl. Add the oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (optional). Toss until the eggplant cubes are evenly coated. Don't add the salt yet.1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the air fryer is preheated, add the eggplant in one layer with little overlap. If you have a very small air fryer, you may have to cook this amount of eggplant in two batches.
- Cook the eggplant at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 9-11 minutes total, or until tender. Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking. Since every air fryer is slightly different, your cooking time can vary.
- Remove the cooked eggplant from the air fryer, add it to a bowl and sprinkle with salt to taste. Enjoy!salt to taste
Video
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste.
- Cut the eggplant into pieces of similar size so they cook evenly.
- Make sure the eggplant pieces are cooked thoroughly. Consuming raw eggplant can be slightly harmful (may cause nausea, etc.).
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer or the eggplant pieces may not cook evenly.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
This recipe was first published in April 2021 and updated in July 2024.
This is a great way to make quick garden eggplant. It’s delicious!