Air fryer eggplant is a hands-off and healthier alternative to eggplant cooked on the stovetop. The air fryer allows you to achieve a beautifully charred exterior while maintaining a tender texture inside, all with just a fraction of the oil typically used in deep frying. In this recipe, I put a Chinese twist on these air fryer eggplants, using a thin coating that mimics the takeout dish Chinese eggplant with garlic sauce. Since I did not want to make a separate sauce on the stove, the sauce in this recipe does not have a glossy texture like the stir fried version. But the flavor is very delicious nonetheless. This is a super fast and easy side dish that we cook all the time during the week.
Ingredients for air fryer eggplant
The ingredients for this Chinese style air fryer eggplant are super simple. You will need Chinese eggplant, salt, pepper, and peanut oil to roast the eggplant. I made a sauce using Chinkiang vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic and green onion to create a very simple garlic sauce. I like to use some Thai chili peppers to spice up the dish and they add a nice pop of color as well. But you can also use chopped basil, cilantro, or chili oil to further enhance the dish.
What type of eggplant to use
Chinese (and Japanese) eggplants are the best option for air fryer eggplant. They are long and skinny eggplants that have a firm texture, thin skin and a texture that is neither too firm nor watery. They take very little time to cook and crispy up nicely with minimal oil. I’ve also tried using Italian eggplant and the result was good. In this case, you might need to slightly tweak the cooking time since Italian eggplant has a slightly firmer texture. If you use American eggplant, use the soaking method in the recipe below to draw some moisture out of the eggplant. It will help the eggplant char better and have a less soggy texture once cooked.
How to cut the eggplant
Like making stir fried eggplant, I prefer to slice the eggplant into bite-sized irregular triangular pieces so it has more edges to char. Check out my video below to see how I slice the eggplant.
How to make air fryer eggplant
The finished eggplant will be soft with a bit of a crunch, nicely charred edges, with a thin layer of sauce to further enhance the flavor.
One word about the type of air fryer you use
I use a Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven currently.
It has more basket space so I can cook 1 lb of eggplant in one batch. If you use a smaller type of air fryer, you may need to cook it in two batches for the best result.My air fryer / toaster oven temperature runs a bit high. Depending on the air fryer you use, you might need to increase the cooking time by a little. When you’re using an air fryer recipe, always check on your food a few times during cooking, and slightly adjust the cooking time as needed to get the best result.Place the eggplant in the air fryer tray, if possible, instead of the basket. Because you will need to add the liquid seasonings later and the seasoning will drip through the basket.
Whether you’re simply a fan of eggplant or looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet, air fryer eggplant is a fantastic choice. It is so easy to put together, takes little time to cook, and tastes super satisfying!
More delicious air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Garlic Green BeansAir fryer Lamb Skewers (羊肉串儿)Air Fryer Chinese Chicken WingsAir Fryer Garlic Ribs (蒜香排骨)Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
