This is a really simple and easy recipe for air fryer eggplant slices or begun bhaja. It is a tasty vegetable side. Both air fryer and skillet recipes are given.
½tsp.Amchur or green mango powder or 1 tbsp. lemon juice
2tbsp.chickpea flour or flour
2tbsp.oil for pan-fried version
Instructions
The recipe is fairly simple. Assemble the spices that you are going to use along with chickpea flour on a plate. You may use flour or rice flour if so prefer. Now cut the stem end and remove it. Now slice the eggplant into ¼ inch slices.
Mix together all the spices with chickpea flour. Then apply it to both sides of the eggplant slices. The seasoning mix may look lower in quantity, but it generally suffices. If you need some more, add more chickpea flour with seasonings.
Now, keep the marinated slices for 10-15 minutes. This helps draw out the moisture and also helps the coating adhere to the eggplant. The coating is not very thick.
Now, we are ready to cook our baingan bhaja or air fryer eggplant slices.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat air fryer to 180C or 360F for 3 minutes. Brush both the sides of the marinated eggplant slices with oil. Place as many as will fit into the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 180C or 360F for 14-16 minutes till the eggplant is cooked well and the coating is crispy and golden. The exact time taken will depend upon how thick your eggplant slices are.
Do remember the flip the slices midway for even cooking. After cooking, eggplant slices will shrink slightly. Take out your baingan bhaja and serve as a veggie side or with chutney or dip as a snack.
Skillet Method
If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries! Heat a tbsp. of oil in a pan or skillet. Carefully place the eggplant slices in a single layer, Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side till dark and browned and crispy. You might need to add a little more oil to keep them from sticking.
Flip and cook on both sides till done. This version uses more oil and is darker in colour. Tastewise, I like both the versions. Enjoy your baingan bhaja as a side to your rice and lentils meal.
Video
Notes
1. Cut the eggplant slices to uniform thickness so that they cook evenly. 2. Do not crowd air fryer basket. You will need to do them in a couple of batches. 3. Letting the eggplant marinate in the spice mix helps in drawing out the moisture and making it more flavourful.4. This recipe is gluten free and vegan. It is also very easy. Traditionally, they used flour in the recipe, but I prefer to use chickpea flour for its taste and texture.5. Flipping the slices while cooking helps them cook evenly. Also check that the eggplant is cooked through. Cook on medium to low heat when cooking in skillet or pan.