Name: Best Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan (Keto, No Breading)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: •t1 eggplant- sliced 1 cm thick; •t1 tbsp Italian seasoning; •tSalt and pepper to taste; •t1 tbsp Olive oil; •t¾ - 1 cup Marinara sauce; •t½ cup Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese; • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese; Air Fryer

Air fryer eggplant parmesan is a super delicious healthy alternative to classic Italian dishes. This low-carb recipe is made without breading. Eggplant slices are seasoned and air-fried with marinara sauce, vegetarian parmesan, and mozzarella cheese.

This recipe is my favorite way to enjoy eggplant, and no breading makes it even healthier who are on a low-carb diet.

eggplant parmesan plated in a white dish with fork and yellow towel in the corner

Air fryer eggplant parmesan takes less than 30 minutes to cook from start to finish and tastes fried with little use of oil. It makes a delicious meatless meal that meat lovers will love too!

So, take out your air fryer and give this recipe a try. This recipe will be your family favorite.

What is Eggplant Parmesan?

Eggplant parmesan is an Italian dish made of eggplant slices that are coated with flour, breadcrumbs, and egg and baked in a marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan chess.

Eggplant parmesan is just like chicken parmesan but made with eggplant for a vegetarian diet.

Today’s air fryer eggplant parmesan is low-carb, a keto recipe without breading. Instead, the dish is cooked in an air fryer with little oil, no eggs, and no breadcrumbs.

Those who are not a big fan of eggplant will also love this classic, healthy recipe.

Is Eggplant good for you?

Eggplant is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals. It has a unique flavor and can be used as an alternative to a meat recipe.

Eggplant is rich in vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. It is considered a good food for the heart at it helps lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure.

Is this Eggplant Parmesan recipe healthy?

The traditional eggplant parmesan recipe is not healthy as eggplant slices are breaded and deep-fried with a total fat content of 47% per serving. But this eggplant parmesan is low carb (no breading) and not deep-fried.

It is cooked in an air fryer with little oil and without eggs and breadcrumbs, which makes it healthy compared to the traditional version of the recipe.

Here is why who will love the healthy version of this recipe

Cooked in the Air fryer with little oil
Made without eggs and breadcrumbs
Made with few ingredients
Low carb and rich in nutrients
Tastes great
It can be cooked in less than 30 minutes (can be a great weeknight meatless meal in under 30 minutes)

Ingredients used in making Keto Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

The heart of this recipe is eggplant (or aubergines); therefore, choosing a perfect eggplant is key. Choose an eggplant that is dark purple, has glossy skin, and is heavy in weight.

Here is a list of ingredients you need to cook air fryer eggplant parmesan

1 eggplant
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
Marinara sauce
Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese

And you need an air fryer. This recipe is good with any model of air fryer – bakset, tray or Instant pot crisp lid.

How to make Keto Eggplant Parmesan in an Air Fryer?

Here is a step-by-step recipe to make eggplant parmesan in an Air fryer with pictures.

Cut both ends of the eggplant and discard them.

eggplant slices on a wooden chopping board along with eggplant

Cut the eggplant into 1 cm thick slices.

Grease the basket of air fryers with olive oil.

eggplant slices seasoned with pepper in a air fryer basket

Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

Coat them with olive oil and season them with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Preheat the air fryer at 370ºF/180ºC for 5 minutes.

Place the air fryer basket with eggplant slices and air fry them at 370ºF/180ºC for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

Take out the air fryer basket and top them with 1-2 tablespoons of marinara sauce.

roasted eggplant slices in one basket and eggplant slices topped with red sauce and cheese in another basket side by side

Then top the sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Air fryer eggplant parmesan in air fryer basket

Bake them for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Serve them over a layer of marinara sauce in a dish.

Tips

You do not need to peel eggplant for this recipe. Eggplant skin is edible and nutritious. It also gives that ‘meatier’ texture to the dish.
Not all parmesan cheese is vegetarian, so look carefully. Only use freshly shredded parmesan.
Do not cut eggplant slices too thick. 1 cm is the perfect thickness for this recipe. If you cut thick slices, you may need to add extra cooking time to avoid undercooking.
Cut all eggplant slices with the same thickness for even cooking.
Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer for even cooking. Cook them in batches if you need to cook more.
This air fryer eggplant parmesan is keto, gluten-free, with no eggs, no onion, and no garlic recipe.
You can also make eggplant parmesan in the oven. Assemble ingredients in a pan and bake the dish at 400°F for 30-35 minutes.

Do you need to peel the eggplant before cooking?

No, you do not need to peel eggplant skin before cooking. Eggplant skin is edible and rich in nutrients. In addition, it gives a unique texture to the dish when cooked.

How long to cook Eggplant Parmesan in Air Fryer?

Cooking time for Eggplant Parmesan varies depending upon the type and model of Air Fryer you are using. For example, it took me 12 minutes @ 370°F / 180°C to cook eggplant parmesan in an air fryer.

When trying the recipe for the first time in an air fryer, use the given time and temperature as a guideline. Check your recipe before the time is up to avoid burning.

Can you freeze Eggplant Parmesan?

Yes, you can freeze eggplant parmesan. First, freeze the cooked eggplant parmesan in a container for 1 month. Then, when ready to serve, take them out of the freezer and put them in an air fryer to defrost and cook at 350°F for 5-6 minutes. Then serve them with marinara sauce.

You can also freeze cooked eggplant slices. And when you are ready to assemble the dish, put the frozen eggplant slices in an air fryer and let it defrost and crips up for 5 minutes; then top them with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese and air fry them at 370°F / 180°C for another 3-4 minutes.

Can you reheat eggplant parmesan in an air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat eggplant parmesan in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until warm. You can also use the microwave to reheat leftover eggplant parmesan.

Is eggplant okay on the Keto diet?

Yes, eggplant is okay for the keto diet. Eggplant is a non-starchy vegetable and has few carbs per serving. 1 pound of eggplant has only 32 grams of carbs and 137 calories.

Can you make Vegan Eggplant Parmesan?

To make vegan air fryer eggplant parmesan, use vegan mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese. Of course, you can also use vegan parmesan cheese.

However, vegan mozzarella cheese is made with cashew, which is high in carbs, but it is a great option if you are not counting your carbs.

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