Healthy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan – Gluten Free

This healthy air fryer eggplant parmesan is an easy, lighter Italian dish that you can make in under 20 minutes with the help of your air fryer. It tastes fried but contains only a little oil and is a wonderful hearty meatless meal that your whole family will love!

Air fryer eggplant parmesan has everything you want in any kind of Parmesan recipe, crispy breaded outer layer covered in bright tomato sauce and melty cheese. This recipe is made in the air-fryer, contains only a little bit of oil but is crazy crispy and tastes fried.

Top it with tomato sauce and melty cheese and it is just the best healthy dinner you can make in under 20 minutes.

Similar to this portobello mushroom parmesan that is also epic and Vegetarian.

If you are looking for a non-vegetarian version then you will want to check out this air fryer chicken parmesan or this instant pot chicken parmesan that are both so amazing as well!

My family devoured this eggplant recipe, which of course makes me happy. We are now obsessed with it and make it all the time!

Thanks to the invention of the air-fryer it has absolutely has changed the way I cook and eat. Which is now with less oil coupled with less time waiting for the oven to cook my food, haha. All because this new appliance cooks food faster and more efficiently. 

So in case you do not have an air fryer yet, I hope his amazing recipe convinces you to make the investment. It is worth it, I swear.

I have a Cosori 5.8 quart, that I absolutely love!!!! I use it everyday and I have made so many amazing recipes with it like these sweet potatoes wedges and this crispy breaded chicken breast to baked apples.

Why you will love this recipe

• It’s a lighter version of chicken parmesan but tastes just as good.
• Made in the air-fryer but can also be baked in the oven.
• It contains no oil and no deep frying.
• Super low in calories and contains lots of nutrients from the eggplant
• You can make this in under 20 minutes for a quick weeknight meal!

Is eggplant good for you?

Eggplant is a super delicious, low-calorie vegetable you can use to add some variety and nutrition to any meal. It is so versatile and can be used in so many eggplant recipes like in these baked eggplant meatballs or these healthy baked eggplant fries.

Eggplant is full of nutrition. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals, helps improve digestion, improves bone health, prevents diseases like cancer, and is great for heart health. Click here to read more about the nutrition in eggplant.

Is eggplant parmesan healthy?

Well, typically baked or fried eggplant parmesan is not really healthy since it is breaded and fried or baked and contains 350 calories and 47% fat per serving.

But this air fryer eggplant parmesan is healthy since I omitted the oil and frying and cooked it in the air-fryer, which gives it a fried texture and taste but requires no oil at all. Making it only 133 calories per serving with only 5 grams of fat. Isn’t that great!

Ingredients needed to make air fryer eggplant parmesan

How to make eggplant parmesan in the air-fryer

1. Slice the eggplant by cutting it into 1/2 inch slices.
2. Make the breading mixture by combining the gluten free breadcrumbs with the parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Then whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and season them with salt and pepper.
3. Preheat the air-fryer to 390 degrees F (usually takes about 5 minutes to preheat). 
4. Dredge the eggplant by dipping each slice into the egg mixture then in the breadcrumbs mixture, pressing the breading into the eggplant as you coat it.
5. Place the coated eggplant slices (as many as you can fit in a single layer) into the air fryer basket and spray them with olive oil spray. Cook at 390 degrees F for 8 minutes, per the recipe card below.
6. After the eggplant is cooked, top it with the tomato sauce and mozzarella then cook for 2 more minutes in the air fryer to melt the cheese. 
7. Serve warm topped with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and enjoy!!!

Get the full list of ingredients and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.

I just love how easy this recipe is. The breaded eggplant cooks up so crispy and quickly in the air fryer without any extra oil or frying. I love it!

Plus eggplant is super inexpensive and in season, so go get some and make this amazing recipe.

Do you need to salt the eggplant before you cook it?

Many people would say you have to salt the eggplant before cooking it. I have found that it is okay to skip this step in the air fryer recipe as long as you dry the eggplant by placing it onto a paper towel for about 10 minutes before you cook it. This will still help draw out some of the moister and result in super crispy eggplant.

Should you peel the eggplant before you cook it?

It is not necessary peel the eggplant before you cook it. This recipe works whether you peel it or not, so that is up to you. I prefer the eggplant unpeeled since I feel like the skin makes it even crispier when it cooks.

Recipe tips for making this healthy Eggplant Parmesan

• Buy an eggplant that is shiny and dark purple in color, medium in size, and heavy. That means it is super ripe. You also want to purchase one that is relatively even in size so your eggplant rounds are as equal as possible.
• Store the whole eggplant in a cool dry place for 1-2 days after purchase and then make this recipe, haha.
• You can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Store the cooked eggplant parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days once it is fully cooked + cooled. It is really delicious with a fried egg on top for breakfast.
• To make this is the oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Follow the recipe as directed but use the oven instead of the air-fryer. Bake the eggplant for 10 minutes, flip over, then bake for 7 more minutes on the other side. Top with sauce and cheese, place back in the oven for 3-4 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Make it even better and use this Simple Homemade San Marzano Tomato Sauce.

What to serve with this Eggplant Parmesan

This recipe is great as a meal all on it’s own but here are some healthy side dishes that I love to serve with this recipe.

• Salad. Such as this Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing, this Easy Crispy Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad or this Italian Chopped Salad.
• Squash. Such as this Butternut Squash Noodles Bowl, this Best Mashed Butternut Squash or this Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash.
• More veggies. Like these Roasted Carrots or this Easy Oven Roasted Broccoli

More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Also Love

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Here are some of my faves!

• Air Fryer Egg Rolls
• No Oil Sweet Potato Wedges
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
• Easy Baked Eggplant Fries – With Air Fryer Option
• Crispy Paleo Sweet Potato Fries
• 15 Minute Crispy Air-Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast

Did you make this air fryer eggplant parmesan recipe? If you did, then please leave a comment and rating below.

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