Looking for a tasty way to enjoy eggplant?
This Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant recipe made without breadcrumbs is amazingly delicious and yet simple! Made in just a little oil, these eggplant fritters are crispy on the outside and tender within. Team them with tomato sauce or your favorite dip for a quick healthy snack!
These golden brown air-fried eggplant fritters, made using gram flour (Besan) are the perfect gluten-free nutritious snack! With just a handful of ingredients and a total no-fuss recipe, these eggplant rounds are so easy to gather.
While one may deep fry the gram flour batter-smeared eggplants, the air fryer helps you reduce the oil intake by a quick frying method that doesn't absorb a lot of oil. I loved eggplant fritters even as a kid but I came across many people who have never heard of or tried it. I love creating easy and healthy recipes, and making this air fryer version of eggplant was long overdue.
While I could have used oats breading, Panko breadcrumbs, or Parmesan cheese to make breaded eggplant, I loved the way these besan-coated eggplant chips in air fryer turned out- A perfect gluten-free recipe and easy side dish for holidays and Thanksgiving!
Find popular Low Carb Air Fryer recipes from the blog: Air Fryer Carrot Fries, Air Fryer Beet Chips, and Air Fryer Rice Paper Rolls.
Try Popular Rice Fritters recipe.
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Why Would You Love This Recipe?
- Vegan Gluten Free Snack
- Low Calorie Healthy Fritters
- Easy, Delicious, and Crispy eggplant Slices.
- Gathers in under 30 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients.
- Kids Friendly.
- The Best Vegan Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe Without Breadcrumbs Ever!
Ingredients
- Eggplant- Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a versatile vegetable with a mild, slightly earthy flavor. Its firm texture makes it ideal for slicing and cooking in various ways.The same recipe can be made with Zucchini, potato, or portobello mushrooms can be good alternatives. They offer a similar texture and absorb flavors well when cooked.
- Olive Oil- Olive oil adds a rich, fruity flavor to these eggplant slices while helping achieve a crispy texture when air-frying. Canola oil or vegetable oil can be substituted for olive oil. They have neutral flavors and can withstand the air-frying process well.
- Gram Flour (Besan): Gram flour, made from ground chickpeas, creates a light and crispy coating for the eggplant, adding a nutty flavor. Since Gram flour is a healthy gf option, I love creating fritters using it. Cornstarch or rice flour can be used as alternatives. They provide a similar crispiness when air-fried. Adjust quantities accordingly for the desired coating consistency.
- Red Chili Powder: Red chili powder adds a kick of heat balancing the mildness of the eggplant. My appetite for red chili is amazing. Start with less if you don't like the heat. Black pepper, Paprika, or cayenne pepper can be used as substitutes. Adjust the quantity based on your preferred level of spiciness.
- Turmeric Powder (optional): Though optional, Turmeric powder (Haldi) adds an amazing color and texture to the gram flour batter. If you don't have turmeric powder, you may skip it.
- Salt- Normal table salt works well. Kosher salt works well too.
Variations
- Garlic Parmesan Eggplant- You may add Parmesan cheese and garlic to enhance the flavor of eggplant. But then it won't be the low-carb recipe. Feel free to use vegan Parmesan to make this recipe vegan.
- Add Fresh Herbs- You may add fresh parsley, fresh basil, or cilantro to add a vibrant color.
- Asian-inspired Eggplant: You may add onion powder, ground ginger, and soy sauce for an Asian-inspired flavor. Serve with a side of sweet chili dipping sauce.
- Add another seasoning- Feel free to add Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, or garlic powder for Italian flavor or Indian spices like cumin powder, coriander powder for a spicy touch.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to cut eggplant in uniform thick slices (not too thick or thin)- ½ inch thick works best.
- Make sure to brush the air fryer basket with olive oil to avoid sticking of eggplant slices.
- Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation, promoting even cooking.
- About halfway through the cooking time, flip or shake the basket gently to ensure that all sides of the eggplant slices are cooked.
- Air-fried food is best enjoyed right out of the fryer. Serve the eggplant slices immediately to preserve their crispy texture.
Storage Suggestions
If you have leftover Air Fryer Eggplant Slices, store them in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, reheat the refrigerated slices in the air fryer for a few minutes on the stovetop or in an oven until they regain their crispiness. I won't recommend freezing them as they would lose texture and flavor.
What To Team These Air Fry Eggplant Slices With?
Air Fryer Eggplant Slices are a versatile dish that pairs well with various accompaniments. You may team them with sauces like marinara sauce, Tahini dip, Cilantro Dip, amla Chutney, Hummus without Tahini, Indian Bathua Dip, or Raita. For a quick healthy meal, have this delicious dish with Wheat Focaccia bread, Roasted Pumpkin Spinach Salad, Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad, Veg Brown Rice Pulao, Air Fryer Paneer, and Sweet Potato Fritters.
Recipe FAQs
You may roast washed and dried brinjal slices in air fryer by coating them with gram flour, corn starch or just as is
Eggplant has a huge water content and can retain moisture too. Soaking it can mean more moisture and less crispy eggplant. I won't recommend soaking eggplant unless you are not using it immediately after chopping.
The reason that eggplant is not crispy is that you miss pre-heating step or the olive oil coating is not sufficient. Make sure to pre heat air fryer and brush oil on it before placing the eggplants dipped in besan batter on it.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries
Step 1. Prepare the Eggplant
While you prep, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes.
Wash and slice the eggplant into ½-inch thick rounds. I haven't peeled the eggplant, you may feel free to do that. You may sprinkle salt on eggplant to drain excess moisture from it, but it's not mandatory.
Step 2. Prepare the Batter
In a bowl, combine gram flour, olive oil, salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well with water to create a smooth, thick paste. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Step 3. Coat the Eggplant Slices
Dip each eggplant slice into the gram flour mixture, ensuring an even coating on both sides. Shake off any excess coating to avoid clumps. Make sure to brush the air fryer with little olive oil before placing the slices.
Place the coated eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray some oil over the eggplant slices. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking. I have air fried in 2-3 batches.
Step 4. Air Fry Coated Eggplant
Air fry the eggplant slices for 12-15 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. The slices should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Step 5. Serve It.
The delicious Air Fryer Eggplant Slices are ready. Serve immediately for the best crispy texture.
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Healthy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries (No Breadcrumbs)
Equipment
- 1 Large Bowl mixing the gram flour batter
- 1 Air Fryer oven can work too
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant brinjal
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Besan (Gram Flour)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder adjust the heat
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
- salt as per taste
- ½ cup water for making batter adjust as per the thickness you desire
Instructions
- While you prep, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes.Wash and slice the eggplant into ½-inch thick rounds. I haven't peeled the eggplant, you may feel free to do that. You may sprinkle salt on eggplant to drain excess moisture from it, but it's not mandatory.
- In a bowl, combine gram flour, olive oil, salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well to create a smooth, thick paste. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Dip each eggplant slice into the gram flour mixture, ensuring an even coating on both sides. Shake off any excess coating to avoid clumps.Place the coated eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
- Air fry the eggplant slices for 12-15 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. The slices should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- The delicious Air Fryer Eggplant Slices are ready. Serve immediately for the best crispy texture.
Notes
- Make sure to cut eggplant in uniform thick slices (not too thick or thin)- ½ inch thick works best.
- Make sure to brush the air fryer basket with olive oil to avoid sticking of eggplant slices.
- Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation, promoting even cooking.
- About halfway through the cooking time, flip or shake the basket gently to ensure that all sides of the eggplant slices are cooked.
- Air-fried food is best enjoyed right out of the fryer. Serve the eggplant slices immediately to preserve their crispy texture.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 2 | |
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 82 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 4.3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat 0.6g | 3% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 9.3g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 3.7g | 13% |
| Total Sugars 3.1g | |
| Protein 2.6g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 11mg | 1% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 249mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice | |
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