This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is crispy, with a soft and tender interior without frying, and is exceptionally flavorful, quick, easy, and ready in 30 minutes. Perfect with spaghetti or made into a sandwich.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan?
Making eggplant parmesan in the air fryer is truly a game-changer. Traditional eggplant parm is often heavy and oily because eggplant naturally absorbs oil like a sponge. The hot, circulating air of the air fryer crisps up the eggplant slices beautifully using very little oil, giving you that golden, crispy texture without the greasiness.
This version is lighter, healthier, and much easier to make, with minimal cleanup compared to pan-frying. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—serve it over spaghetti, turn it into an eggplant parmesan sandwich, or enjoy it as a satisfying vegetarian main course alongside an Italian salad and crusty bread.
One reader, Sandra writes, "Five stars - this recipe was really excellent. The eggplant was hot and crispy, not soft like a baked recipe. I found the left-over slices refrigerated well and re-heated nicely in the air fryer." ★★★★★
- maria doss
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Ingredients you'll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Eggplant – Use a globe eggplant, which has a mild flavor, tender texture, and very few seeds—perfect for wide, hearty slices in air fryer eggplant parmesan.
- Eggs – Beaten eggs help the flour and panko breadcrumbs stick to the eggplant slices, ensuring a crispy coating.
- Flour – A light dusting of flour creates a sticky base layer that helps the breadcrumbs adhere evenly to the eggplant slices.
- Seasoning – A mix of Italian seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt adds flavor to every layer of this dish.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs offer more crunch than regular breadcrumbs thanks to their large, flaky texture—perfect for crispy air fryer eggplant recipe.
- Cheese – A combination of shredded mozzarella and finely grated Parmesan gives this dish its classic cheesy, savory flavor.
- Sauce – I used Prego’s Tomato, Basil & Garlic sauce for its rich, thick texture and bold flavor, which pairs beautifully with the crispy eggplant layers.
More Air Fryer Dinner Ideas
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Eggplant (medium to large)
Batter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Breadcrumb coating
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese refer notes
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup marinara sauce plus more for serving
- 1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the eggplant. Slice the eggplant into rounds about ¼ to ½ inch thick, keeping the slices as even as possible so they cook evenly.
- Prep. Add all the batter ingredients to a shallow bowl and whisk until smooth and well combined. In a separate shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Coat the eggplant. Working with one slice at a time, dip the eggplant into the wet batter, turning it a few times to coat completely. Lift and let any excess batter drip off, then place it into the breadcrumb mixture. Press breadcrumbs onto both sides, gently packing them on so they adhere well. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Once hot, arrange the prepared eggplant slices in a single layer (don't overcrowd - cook in batches). Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray, then air fry for 5 minutes. Open the basket, flip the slices, spray again, and cook for an additional 7 minutes, or until deep golden and crispy.
- Finish. Open the air fryer basket and spoon some marinara sauce over each slice, then top with shredded mozzarella. Air fry for an additional 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with extra marinara sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make eggplant parmesan in air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don’t need to peel the eggplant. The skin is edible, softens when cooked, and helps the slices hold together, especially in the air fryer.
Not necessary! Traditional eggplant parmesan recipes often call for salting the raw slices to draw out moisture, tenderize the flesh, and reduce bitterness. But most modern eggplants are naturally low in bitterness, so this step isn’t really necessary. Salting can also make the dish a bit too salty. That’s why I skip salting in this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe—giving you perfectly tender, flavorful slices without extra steps.
The best choice is a medium Italian or globe eggplant. They have tender, creamy flesh that cooks evenly and holds up well in the air fryer. Modern varieties are low in bitterness, so salting isn’t necessary, and the thin skin is edible, helping the slices keep their shape. Avoid very large or overripe eggplants, which can be watery and seedy.
Soaking eggplant is often recommended when pan-frying to prevent the slices from soaking up too much oil. But for breaded air fryer eggplant parmesan, it’s not necessary. The air fryer uses hot circulating air instead of oil, so the slices crisp up beautifully without becoming greasy. Skipping the soak also keeps the breading intact and saves you an extra step!
To keep your eggplant parmesan perfectly crisp in the air fryer, a few simple steps make all the difference. Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier coating. Flip the slices halfway through cooking so both sides crisp evenly, and lightly spray each side with cooking spray to help them brown. Finally, let the breadcrumb coating fully crisp before adding the tomato sauce—this ensures a golden, crunchy texture in every bite.
The key to reheating eggplant parmesan is keeping the breading crisp. The air fryer works best: preheat to 375°F, place the slices in the basket, and heat for 2–4 minutes until warmed through. Avoid the microwave, as it steams the eggplant and makes the coating soggy.
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🍆 If you love eggplant dishes, then try my amazing eggplant stir fry recipe next!
Serving suggestion
Eggplant parmesan is hearty on its own, but these sides can turn it into a complete meal! Pair it with a slice of crusty bread or air fryer garlic bread—perfect for soaking up all that delicious cheesy sauce. A fresh Italian salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing balance to the richness. And if you want some comforting carbs, a side of spaghetti or pasta like instant pot spaghetti aglio e olio or garlic butter ramen noodles make a satisfying addition.
Make a sandwich - Place a cooked slice of air fried eggplant parmesan on the bottom half of a crusty roll. Spoon on a little extra marinara, then top with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan. Pop it in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese. Add fresh basil or arugula for brightness, close the sandwich, press gently, and enjoy!
Freezing instructions
Air fryer eggplant parmesan is a great make ahead dish that can prepped and ready to go in your freezer. The air fryer is amazing in crisping up all things breaded without making them soggy like a microwave.
Freeze without sauce/cheese - Freeze cooked panko breaded eggplant slices without sauce or cheese in a ziplock bag for up to a month. To reheat, air fry from frozen at 360°F until hot and crispy. Then, top with sauce and cheese and bake until the cheese is melted.
Freeze with sauce/cheese - Freeze slices between pieces of parchment paper in a covered container for up to 1 month. Cook frozen slices in a preheated 350 degree fryer for 3 to 5 minutes or until hot.
Tips for Success
- Cheese: Use fresh mozzarella, either shredded or sliced, for the best texture and melt.
- Parmesan: Use finely shredded parmesan cheese; if using pre-shredded, pulse ⅓ cup in a mini food processor to get a finer texture.
- Slice Thickness: Cut eggplant into even ¼ to ½-inch thick slices to ensure they cook evenly and become tender without being too thick.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap in gluten-free panko and gluten-free flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Even Cooking: Consistent slice thickness helps all pieces cook perfectly and at the same rate.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy.
More healthy air fryer breaded recipes
- Crispy air fryer asparagus fries make the perfect side dish, appetizer, or snack with your favorite dipping sauce! Lightly breaded and air-fried with minimal oil, they’re a deliciously healthy alternative to traditional French fries.
- These air fryer breaded mushrooms are irresistibly crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection.
- These air fryer chicken nuggets turns out perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I use seasoned, toasted panko breadcrumbs, which make them extra crunchy and delicious!
- Air fryer chicken tenders is made with almost no oil. It's so easy, crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside and bursting with irresistible garlic parmesan flavor.
- This air fryer breaded shrimp is so easy, crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
- This air fryer breaded tilapia is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, thanks to a simplified breading technique.
This healthy air fryer eggplant parmesan is low-fat, lighter and easier take on the classic Italian dish—ready in under 30 minutes! Made with almost no oil, it still delivers that crispy, "fried" texture thanks to the air fryer, making it a perfect hearty meatless meal the whole family will love.
You get everything you crave in a good breaded parmesan recipe—a crispy breaded eggplant layer, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese—all without deep frying. A must-try for air fryer lovers and healthy comfort food fans!
This recipe is developed by replacing the chicken in my air fryer chicken parmesan recipe with eggplant slices and it was life changing! The texture and taste was unbelievably good without the hassle of deep frying.
Hi, I’m Maria — a professional food blogger with over 9 years of experience sharing easy, healthy dinners, baking ideas, and high-protein recipes. I also love creating simple, flavorful dishes that you can make quickly in the air fryer or Instant Pot. My goal is to help you cook real food —but make it exciting, tasty, and never boring. More about maria ->
Sandra Marion
Five stars - this recipe was really excellent. The eggplant was hot and crispy, not soft like a baked recipe. I did find the prep time was longer than 15 minutes (dipping all those slices takes a while!) but otherwise I made the recipe pretty much as outlined. My eggplant slices took more panko and I used the refrigerated semi-dehydrated basil for its intense flavor. My husband, who is a major meat-eater, raved about this eggplant. "You can make this any time you want." I found the left-over slices refrigerated well and re-heated nicely in the air fryer.
Maria Doss
Glad you loved it hun - Maria
Marguerite
I love eggplant parmesan; this was my first time making it in the air-fryer, and it was excellent. I used homemade marinara (no sugar added), so it wasn't too sweet; I also had a bit of cooked italian sausage left over from a pizza oven night, which I added to my carnivore-husband's half, and it was great!
Maria Doss
Happy to hear hun, have a wonderful day - Maria