This air fryer eggplant side is super healthy as it is made with no breading or flour. You can have this as a vegetable side or treat it as a healthy appetizer by serving it with a dipping sauce. Either way, it is really easy recipe.
This is a nice way of eating eggplant which is a nutritious vegetable. It is an often neglected vegetable as many people don't know how to cook it.
How to Cut the Eggplant
For this recipe, I have cut the eggplant into large fries or batons. Remove the stem completely and then cut the eggplant into half. Depending upon the size, cut it into 3 or 4 strips along the length. I then cut those into halves or one-thirds. That’s it.
You could also cut them into round pieces. Those will take longer to cook in the air fryer compared to the fries.
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Step-by-step Pictures
- Cut the eggplant as mentioned above in the notes into similar sized batons.
- Prepare the spice mix by adding together cumin powder, garlic powder, cayenne or paprika, turmeric powder and salt. Apply oil to the cut eggplant pieces and rub spice mix all over it.
- Ensure that the spice mix coats each baton well.
- Preheat air fryer at 360 F or 180 C for 5 minutes. Lay out the eggplant pieces so that they are not too crowded.
Air fry for about 10 minutes or till the eggplant is cooked. You can see that the eggplant shrinks on cooking. Also midway through air frying shake the basket well to ensure even cooking.
Pro Tips:
1. You can use other oils like mustard oil, peanut oil or coconut oil in the recipe.
2. Make sure that the basket is not overcrowded. Shake the fries midway during cooking to ensure even cooking.
3. Ensure that you cut eggplant pieces into similar sizes.
4. Try different variation of spices or herbs as per your liking. Just salt and pepper tastes good too. Or you can try lemon chilli for heat. Honey and garlic powder is another good combination.
5. You can use any dips of choice like hot mayo, tomato ketchup, sriracha sauce or even green chutney.
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer Eggplant
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant about half kilo or 1.1 lb.
- 1.5 tsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¾ tsp. cayenne or paprika for a smoky flavor
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. cumin powder
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Instructions
- Cut the eggplant into half. Remove the green stem and cap on top. Now cut each half lengthwise into batons or fries. You can then halve them for similar size fries.
- You can soak them in salted water for 5-10 minutes. I generally skip this step and cook them right away.
- Mix all the spices mentioned above and prepare your rub.
- In a bowl, take the cut eggplant batons or fries. Brush or rub with oil. Then apply the spice mix generously so that each slice is coated.
- Now preheat air fryer at 180 C or 360 F for 5 minutes. Lay the eggplant fries so that they are not too crowded. I could fit all of them in one batch. Remember that they do shrink when cooking.
- Air fry for about 10 minutes till they are done. I generally pick out one fry and test it. Don’t forget to shake them midway during cooking. They is to ensure that they cook evenly.
- Your airfryer eggplant is ready. Serve hot with a mayonnaise, ketchup or a honey mustard dip.
Notes
2. Make sure that the basket is not overcrowded. Shake the fries midway during cooking to ensure even cooking.
3. Ensure that you cut eggplant pieces into similar sizes.
4. Try different variation of spices or herbs as per your liking. Just salt and pepper tastes good too. Or you can try lemon chilli for heat.
5. You can use any dips of choice like hot mayo, tomato ketchup, sriracha sauce or even green chutney.
6. To make Indian air fryer eggplant, use mustard oil and the same spices for the rub. You can also add curry powder or garam masala and also some chaat masala to the rub for an authentic taste.
Nutrition
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FAQs
It is absolutely not necessary. I love the crispy skin of eggplant in these fries.
Generally if I made the vegetable I would immerse it in some salted water. This helps prevent it from getting darker if you leave it cut for some time and in some cases reduce bitterness. But, with most recipes, I have seen that not salting the eggplant does not really make much of a difference.
Eggplant is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is low in calorie. They are also high in fibre. They can be prepared in many delicious ways and should be a part of a healthy diet.
Recipe Variations:
1. This recipe is already vegan and gluten-free.
2. You can also use breading if you are feeling more indulgent. Check out the breading details in this recipe:
Serving Suggestions:
Air fryer KFC style fried chicken
Air fryer Butter garlic Shrimp
Storage:
You can easily store any leftovers for 3 days in a sealed container in a fridge. Heat it or air fry till heated to consume. You can also use them in salads or curries.
Michelle says
I love cooking it in the air fryer. And the addition of turmeric is so good!
Rachna says
Thank you Michelle
Gail Montero says
I was just thinking of getting some eggplants earlier so this tasty recipe is heaven-sent!
Rachna says
Glad that you found the recipe useful, Gail
Angela says
Every day I find a new recipe to make in my air fryer. These eggplant fries are so fun. The seasoning it spicy and flavorful. Thanks for the great recipe!
Rachna says
Indeed Angela. Thank you so much.
Dannii says
My favourite way to cook eggplant is in the air fryer. It really brings out the flavour.
Rachna says
Thanks Dannii!
Julia says
Im very big fan of eggplant and always looking for recipes with it, this looks delicious!
Rachna says
Thank you Julia
Kirit Patel says
Rachna, hailing from london here. The best eggplant/brinjal crispy baton chips i've had are from blue junction restaurant, london. Seriously i could give up any other food to watch a match with this and beer in hand.
The chips are crispy skin on, with a dryish masala, chilli, garlic phew god knows what else but crack this recipe and post please.
Rachna says
Good to know Kirit. 🙂 I haven't eaten at that London restaurant but I am sure it is amazing.
Kirit Patel says
I forgot to mention....you are close to the recipe.....
Rachna says
Thank you!
Mary says
I was just wishing for an easy eggplant recipe, thank you! Would this recipe turn out okay without any oil at all?
Rachna says
You're very welcome! You can try without oil. It will be a bit dry though.