Easy, healthy, and delicious Air Fryer Eggplant made with a simple spice blend. This air-fried eggplant has a deliciously smoky flavor and tender, yet crisp, texture.
This delicious Air Fryer Eggplant recipe is great simply as a healthy snack, a fabulous side dish, or incorporated into entrées! It is packed with flavor and has a beautiful texture. Gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and keto diet friendly!
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🍆 Ingredient Notes
- Eggplant (also known as aubergine) forms the base of this air fryer recipe. It is in the same nightshade family of plants as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes.
- Olive or avocado oil contributes an extra bit of crispness and also adds some healthy fats to this recipe.
- Garlic powder is simply super complementary when paired with eggplant!
- Smoked paprika adds a hint of irresistible smokiness to this recipe and contributes the majority of the flavor.
- Salt! Hard to go without salt on this one—it enhances all the flavors in this dish.
♨️ How to Cook Eggplant In An Air Fryer
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- This smoky Air Fryer Eggplant makes an excellent side dish. We like to serve it with baked potatoes and vegetarian meatloaf.
- It's also great incorporated into your favorite pasta dishes.
- And I love to eat it as is for a healthy low-carb snack or dipped into a favorite condiment or dips like tahini sauce, hot sauce, or marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese while still warm.
- Top with chopped fresh herbs like fresh parsley or fresh basil.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I omit the oil in this recipe?
Yes! On an oil-free diet? You can omit the oil for a still-delicious Air Fryer Eggplant dish!
What kind of paprika should I use?
Make sure you use smoked paprika and not the Hungarian (sweet) variety, for best results.
How much salt should I add?
I find around 1/2 teaspoon to be about the perfect amount of salt for this dish but feel free to adjust and salt to taste! You can wait to add salt until the eggplant has finished cooking if need be.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
This tastes best fresh out of the air fryer, but once cooled can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place in a 400-degree air fryer or conventional oven and heat until warmed throughout (about 10 minutes).
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You might also love this Eggplant Shakshuka.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Eggplant
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized eggplant sliced into 1" cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or pink salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer oven to 400°F.
- Prepare eggplant by slicing and discarding the leafy top. Slice eggplant vertically then slice each halve vertically again. Then slice horizontally into 1" cubes.
- Place the eggplant in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika and salt. Toss to coat.
- Place the eggplant into air fryer basket or try. Air fry for 14 minutes or until tender and a fork pierces through easily.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Jamie says
I love how simple and easy this eggplant recipe is! It's great I can make this in the air fryer!
veenaazmanov says
Egg plant is one of my favorite and I love your healthy and easy Air Fryer recipe.
Andrea says
I've never made eggplant before but this was so good. It's a win in the air fryer!
Chef Mireille says
My husband loved it...loved the spice blend too. Definitely one of my new favorite ways to make eggplant.
Beth says
I'm so happy this recipe calls for smoked paprika - it's my favorite! Perfect, tasty, gluten-free snack!
Kate says
I love the spice blend here, and how the aubergines are crispy without the slugs of oil if you were to cook them in a pan. Love it!
Ieva says
You are my go-to for any air-fryer recipes and this was another great recipe! So good with the smoked paprika! Thanks!
Iryna says
My hubby adores this eggplant side dish. Simple recipe and so delicious. Thank you!
Juliane says
Perfect dish to make tonight!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I normally find that frying eggplant means it takes in too much oil. This airfryer version is perfect and delicious.
Kate says
Such a great air fryer recipe - lots of lovely flavours and aubergine/eggplant cooks so well in the air fryer. Thank you!
Suja md says
Absolutely delicious; thank you for this fantastic recipe! Very straightforward and easy to make. The dish came out perfectly. I will make it again!!
Tayler says
I’ll never make eggplant any other way! This recipe turns out perfectly every time!
Kechi says
I made this last week and totally enjoyed it, definitely making it again today. It’s unbelievable the magic of the air fryer.
Beth says
This is wonderful! I recently went gluten free and discovered smoked paprika - so this recipe was just what I was looking for for a tasty snack or side dish!
Danielle Wolter says
Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. This came out just perfect - I like how tender and flavorful the eggplant came out.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Such perfect timing! I just bought an air fryer and it's arriving tomorrow!
Dannii says
This is such a great way to use the air fryer and a new way to use eggplant too. I can't wait to try it.
AISilva says
I'm always looking for new air fryer recipes, and better yet new egg plant recipes. We love eggplant in my house and this air fryer egg plant recipe was a hit. Thanks so much!
Denay DeGuzman says
I love discovering new air fryer recipes. This air fryer eggplant was so delicious. I'll definitely be making this again and again.
Kristen Wood says
Thank you! So happy to hear. 🙂
veenaazmanov says
This is one of my favorite veggie meal. Air Fryer sounds interesting and healthy too.
Anjali says
I don't typically like eggplant because it is too squishy - but using your method it turned out nice and crispy!! I'll never make eggplant any other way again!
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Jamie says
This is so delicious with the smoked paprika and other spices! Such a great idea using the air fryer for this!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
I enjoyed this recipe so much. It was super easy to make and I had never thought about cutting the eggplant in this shape. It made a difference!
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Beth says
Yummy! My husband and I enjoyed this recipe, so delicious and very tasty! Such a great and easy side to make! Love it and I can’t wait to make this again!
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Amanda says
Delicious! Went well with a Greek zucchini "pasta" salad and Greek meatballs. I love air fryer roasted veggies, so simple and yummy.
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for stopping by to share! 🙂
Raymond Gallatin says
Delicious, simple, and healthy! Love it. Only change was adding a pinch of black pepper.
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!
Mimi says
Very pleased with the result. So simple and very tasty. Will try it with zucchini too.
Kristen Wood says
So happy to hear! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share. 🙂
Daniela Modesto says
As soon as I read smoked paprika, I just knew, this recipe has my heart!! 100% my kind of food!
Kristen Wood says
Hehe, now why am I not surprised that you're a smoked paprika fan, too?! 😀 Thank you so much, my friend!
Long says
I love it. Thanks for sharing such a great post!