• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Platings and pairings logo.
Start Here
All Recipes
Perfect Pairings
Wine Travel
About
Home

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Jump to Recipe

|

Posted by:

Erin Lynch

|

Updated:

March 16, 2025

|

5 from 4 votes

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email
AIR FRYER EGGPLANT PARMESAN PINTEREST IMAGE.

This easy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan recipe is crispy, healthy & delicious! Crispy breaded eggplant is quickly cooked in the air fryer before being topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella. It’s crispy, cheesy, and delicious over pasta or rice!

Eggplant parmesan stacked on plate and topped with basil leaves.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe

Meatless Monday doesn’t have to be boring. That’s why this easy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan was invented. It’s just as cheesy, rich, and delicious as a chicken parmesan recipe, but swaps the meat for breaded eggplant!

Why you’ll love this recipe

The best part about this recipe is that you get to skip the messy deep fryer oil or long baking times that a fried or baked eggplant parmesan requires. The air fryer makes the whole process speedy so you can get dinner on the table in a hurry. Every marinara and mozzarella-covered bite is crispy and crunchy even with very minimal oil.

If you love eggplant parmesan, you’re sure to love my Mushroom Parmesan with Garlicky Breadcrumbs. It’s another vegetarian dish that packs in Italian flavor, nutrition, and plenty of cheese!

Reader

Love



5 stars
Very tasty and easy to make! I’ve tried other eggplant parmigiana recipes and was not a fan…this one was delicious!

–

Marianne

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed
  • Does eggplant need to be salted before cooking?
  • How to make it
  • Can I bake the it instead?
  • Can you make air fryer eggplant parmesan without the breading?
  • How to make ahead + store
  • What to serve with it
  • Erin’s wine pairings
  • Full Recipe

Ingredients needed

Ingredients for air fryer eggplant parm on tray.
  • Eggplant – One medium eggplant should be enough for about 4 servings. Go ahead and buy an extra eggplant or two if you’re serving a crowd or making this recipe for meal prep!
  • Italian breadcrumbs – Or use panko, whole wheat, or gluten free breadcrumbs.
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning – This is easy to make yourself using dried herbs you probably already have on hand.
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Eggs – For coating the eggplant rounds.
  • Flour – All purpose flour will make the breaded eggplant the crispiest, but you can use whole wheat flour or gluten free flour instead.
  • Olive oil spray 
  • Marinara sauce – Use my easy homemade marinara sauce for the best flavor!
  • Mozzarella cheese – This melts on top of the eggplant in the air fryer, giving you ooey gooey bites.
  • Basil 

Does eggplant need to be salted before cooking?

Some recipes will tell you to sprinkle the sliced eggplant in kosher salt before cooking it to help draw out the natural bitter flavors. This step isn’t necessary, but you’re welcome to give it a try if you don’t love the flavor of eggplant. Just remember to rinse off the salt and pat the slices dry before dredging.

How to make it

Set up your dredging station by mixing the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and seasonings in a shallow bowl. Add the flour in a separate bowl, and the beaten eggs in another.

Coat the eggplant rounds in flour, then the eggs, then the breadcrumbs. Place them on a baking sheet and spray the tops with olive oil.

Breaded eggplant slices on tray.

Air fry the breaded eggplant slices for 8 minutes, then flip and continue cooking. You’ll know they’re done when the breadcrumbs start to brown and look crispy.

Next, top the air fried eggplant with marinara and mozzarella. Place them back in the air fryer so the cheese can melt.

Eggplant slices topped with mozzarella and marinara in air fryer basket.

To serve, plate the eggplant parmesan with a side of pasta or rice and fresh basil on top. Enjoy!

Eggplant parmesan in air fryer basket.

Can I bake the it instead?

Yes! If you don’t own an air fryer, eggplant parm can easily be baked in the oven instead. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Dredge the eggplant as usual and place the slices on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Bake in a 400ºF oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Take the eggplant out of the oven and top each one with marinara and mozzarella.
  4. Pop them back in the oven until the cheese melts, then serve.

Can you make air fryer eggplant parmesan without the breading?

Skip the dredging and air fry the eggplant as-is instead of breading it in flour and breadcrumbs. You can add a little dried Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese on top to make sure there are still plenty of delicious flavors. Don’t forget the marinara sauce or mozzarella cheese too!

Side view of eggplant parmesan in air fryer basket.

How to make ahead + store

Eggplant parmesan can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for meal prep, as leftovers, or as a quick freezer dinner for later. Once the eggplant parm is ready:

  • Store the cooked and cooled eggplant in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Freeze the eggplant in a sealed bag or airtight container for up to 6 months.
  • To reheat, place the breaded eggplant (straight from the fridge or freezer) back in the air fryer at 350ºF and cook until it’s warmed through and crisp.

What to serve with it

  • Spaghetti or any cooked pasta
  • White or brown rice
  • Italian Chopped Salad
  • Creamy Polenta
  • Vegan Caesar Salad
  • Arugula Salad
  • More → Sides for Eggplant Parmesan
  • More → the BEST Italian desserts

Erin’s wine pairings

  • A medium-bodied Zinfandel is my favorite to pair with acidic tomato sauce-heavy dishes.
  • A medium-bodied, oak-aged Chardonnay will complement every cheesy bite.
Overhead shot of Eggplant parmesan stacked on plate and topped with basil leaves.

More vegetarian dinner recipes

  • Spaghetti Squash Casserole
  • Indian Butter Chickpeas
  • Zucchini Lasagna Rolls
  • Cauliflower Salad with Roasted Chickpeas and Quinoa
  • Cheesy Instant Pot Lentils and Rice

More air fryer recipes

  • Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

    new!

    Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

  • Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Crispy + Delicious)

    new!

    Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Crispy + Delicious)

  • Fried Green Beans (with 3 Dipping Sauce Options!)

    new!

    Fried Green Beans (with 3 Dipping Sauce Options!)

  • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

    new!

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Browse More Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes

Did you try these air fryer eggplant stacks?

If you loved this air fryer eggplant parmigiana recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe – Before Recipe Card

Eggplant parmesan stacked on plate and topped with basil leaves.

Full Recipe

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is the vegetarian version of a classic Italian dish. Crispy breaded eggplant is quickly cooked in the air fryer before being topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella. It’s crispy, cheesy, and delicious over pasta or rice!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant (sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
  • ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • ¼ cup flour
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese
  • Freshly chopped basil (optional for topping)

Instructions

  • In a shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place flour in a separate shallow bowl and beaten eggs in another shallow bowl.
  • Dip sliced eggplant in flour, then eggs, then breadcrumbs. Place coated eggplant on a baking sheet and spray the tops with olive oil.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees.
  • Place breaded eggplant rounds in the air fryer basket, oiled side down, then spray the tops with olive oil. Note: You may need to work in batches, the eggplant should not be overlapping. Cook for 8 minutes, flip and cook 3-4 minutes longer, until crispy.
  • Top each piece with marinara sauce and 1 slice mozzarella cheese. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook 2-3 minutes longer, until the cheese is melted.
  • Repeat with remaining eggplant, if necessary.
  • Serve sprinkled with fresh basil. Enjoy!

Notes

How to make it in the oven
  1. Dredge the eggplant as usual and place the slices on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Bake in a 400ºF oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Take the eggplant out of the oven and top each one with marinara and mozzarella.
  4. Pop them back in the oven until the cheese melts, then serve.
How to make ahead & store
  • Store the cooked and cooled eggplant in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Freeze the eggplant in a sealed bag or airtight container for up to 6 months.
  • To reheat, place the breaded eggplant (straight from the fridge or freezer) back in the air fryer at 350ºF and cook until it’s warmed through and crisp.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1307mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 511IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email
5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 responses

  1. Kiren
    April 6, 2022

    5 stars
    Great recipes, They all look delicious and easy to make.

    Reply
  2. Sabrina
    April 7, 2022

    5 stars
    great recipe, thank you, nice when I want to take a break from veal or chicken parm, or even feel less guilty having this dish on a weekday, like your “Meatless Monday”, so thank you

    Reply
  3. Marianne
    September 2, 2023

    5 stars
    Very tasty and easy to make! I’ve tried other eggplant parmigiana recipes and was not a fan…this one was delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 5, 2023

      Thanks Marianne!

      Reply

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

Know More

Follow Me on Social!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube

Recent Recipes

  • Chicken Piccata Meatballs
  • Easy Crab Spaghetti (15-Minute Recipe)
  • American Lamb Sausage Rolls
  • Avocado Hot Sauce
  • Caramelized Cabbage Pasta with Pecans
  • Marry Me Beans
  • Cauliflower Potato Salad
  • Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Sauce

Dish Type

30 Minute Meals
Appetizer Recipes
Cocktail Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Healthy Recipes

Cooking Method

Air Fryer Recipes
Grilling Recipes
Instant Pot Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes
Sous Vide Recipes

Ingredient

Beef Recipes
Chicken Recipes
Lamb Recipes
Pork Recipes
Seafood Recipes

Cocktails

Classic
Gin
Margarita
Moscow Mule
Vodka

Sides

Bread
Potatoes
Rice
Salad
Vegetables

Travel

Australia
California
Europe
Hawaii
Italy
About Me
Contact
Privacy Policy

© All Rights Reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.