Healthy Eggplant Parmesan (Air-Fryer)

An air fryer makes a healthy version of this South Italian favourite, with the same great taste. Serve as a side or main course with a piece of bread to mop up the sauce!

Eggplant parmesan (melanzane alla parmigiana) is a simple baked layered dish made with eggplant, tomato sauce and melted cheese. 

This recipe makes a delicious healthy eggplant parmesan for a main course or side. Serve it warm along with roasted meat, a fresh green salad and some crusty bread.

We recommend preparing this a few hours (or even a day) in advance as the flavours will develop on resting and come together beautifully, making it a most delicious, rich and satisfying comfort food.

The traditional way of cooking this dish, is to lightly fry the slices of eggplant in oil till they are slightly browned. However, eggplant is rather like a sponge and capable of absorbing large amounts of oil.

This recipe uses less oil so you can enjoy more of this guilt free version of eggplant parmesan.

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Jump to:

• Why use an air fryer?
• Selecting the eggplants
• Air frying eggplant
• Building the layers
• Variations
• Storing eggplant parmesan
• Serve with
• 📋 Recipe

Why use an air fryer?

An air fryer is a healthier alternative to sautéing the eggplant slices as they tend to absorb quite a bit of oil.

The air fryer works by rapidly circulating hot air round the food, keeping a steady temperature.

At 1300W, our model uses less energy than a regular oven and because it is smaller, cooking times are significantly reduced.

Little oil is required, making an air fryer a healthier option than shallow or deep-frying.

For foods with low-fat content like these eggplant slices, coat with a small amount of oil (usually a tablespoon is enough), to flavour and brown the surface.

Rub the slices with a tiny bit of oil then cook them in the air fryer – they turn out great!

The eggplant browns nicely and develops a crisp exterior which seals the moisture in.

The higher temperature settings achieves a Maillard reaction giving browned food its distinctive flavour. 

The basket size is usually non-stick so it is very easy to clean.

Selecting the eggplants

Although eggplants (aubergines) are available in stores throughout the year, they are at their best from July to October.

Select eggplants which are firm with a glossy skin.

Air frying eggplant

To make healthy low oil eggplant parmesan, salt the eggplant slices to remove excess moisture (this also gives a better texture when cooked), then leave to drain in a colander for 30-90 minutes.

Rinse off the excess salt then arrange the slices on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry with a kitchen towel.

Brush a small amount of olive oil over the slices and arrange in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. They will need to be cooked in batches.

Use tongs to remove the cooked eggplant.

Our classic Italian Tomato Sauce is perfect for this recipe, it can be prepared ahead or while the eggplant is cooking in the air fryer.

Building the layers

Eggplant parmesan is layered like lasagne.

• Begin by greasing a baking dish then spread a thin layer of sauce around the bottom of the dish.
• Arrange a layer of of eggplant slices over the top, then some freshly grated black pepper and a sprinkling of grated cheese.
• Repeat till all the ingredients are used up.
• Top with thin slices of mozzarella or fior di latte.
• Bake in the oven.

Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top and a piece of warm bread to mop up that delicious sauce!

Variations

For a slightly different version, add sliced hard-boiled eggs between the layers to make it even more delicious.

Storing eggplant parmesan

The eggplant slices can be air fried in advance and kept in the fridge till needed.

Cover and store the eggplant parmesan in a closed container the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze then thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Serve with

Why not try any of these recipes as a side dish for eggplant parmesan:

• Verza Stufata (Italian braised savoy cabbage)
• Cavolo nero with garlic and lemon
• Baked kale with parmesan

Are you making this Eggplant Parmesan recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a star rating.

Instagram – I love seeing your creations, so post a picture, tag @endofthefork and hashtag #endofthefork

📋 Recipe