These Air Fryer Eggplant Fries are breaded with aged gouda, panko and seasonings, then air-fried until perfectly golden. Easy and scrumptious!
I absolutely love eggplant, in all forms. This versatile vegetable makes for the perfect snack, both in fries form and my super addicting spin on Baba Ganoush. If you want to enjoy these with a full meal, try serving them alongside my Crispy Pickle Juice Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Truffle Meatball Hoagies or on a plate nestled next to a cup of my Smoked Cheddar White Bean Soup for dippin’.
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I had my little helper in the kitchen with me for this recipe, as I’ve been trying to expand his palate when it comes to eating vegetables. He seems to be more willing to try new foods if he’s preparing it with me, so we gave it a whirl.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
Per the usual, we threw this recipe together with what we had on hand. Traditionally, eggplant fries are made with parmesan. However, since we only had aged gouda and we thought it could be a tasty alternative (and it was). 😉 All the ingredients you’ll need include the following.
- 1 Large Eggplant
- 2 Eggs
- Panko Bread Crumbs
- Aged Gouda
- Italian Seasoning
- Garlic Powder
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HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER EGGPLANT FRIES:
Eggplant fries are crispy on the outside, tender in the center. There’s absolutely no oil used in this recipe, so it’s a great option that’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and potassium. Added bonus: Eggplant is low on calories and carbs, so you can feel good about indulging in a few extra pieces.
- Cut off the top and bottom of the eggplant, then slice into strips.
- Shred the gouda cheese (parmesan works too) and mix with panko, Italian seasonings and garlic powder.
- Crack two eggs into a bowl and whisk together with a fork.
- Dunk each strip into the egg mixture and then the gouda-panko.
- Place each “fry” onto a parchment-lined air fryer tray.
- Air fry at 375F for five minutes, rotate trays and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Please Note: Always fit the parchment paper to lay FLAT on the cooking sheet. If it sticks up on the sides it has the risk of burning.
HOW TO REHEAT AIR FRYER EGGPLANT FRIES:
Depending on the size of your eggplant and air fryer, you may need to cook these fries in batches. I have the Instant Pot Vortex for my air fryer, which has two racks for cooking. I cooked two batches for one eggplant. We only ate one batch, so I saved the second one for later. To save, allow the eggplant fries to cool to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one day. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer at 375F for 8 – 10 minutes. They’ll be just as crispy as before (maybe even a little more crispy) and taste fantastic.
OTHER AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Garlic Cheddar Air Fryer Drop Biscuits
Parmesan Air Fryer Fried Pickles
The Juiciest Air Fryer Fried Chicken Bites
How To Make Air Fryer Potato Wedges
The Ultimate Guide For Air Fryer Chickpeas
Sweet And Spicy Air Fryer Green Bean Fries
Pickle Juice Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
- 1 Eggplant
- 2 Large Eggs, whisked
- 1 cup Grated Aged Gouda Cheese
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- Marinara, optional for serving
- Italian Parsley, optional for serving
- Cut off both ends of the eggplant and discard. Cut the eggplant, lengthwise into ½ inch slices. Then cut them into strips. Last, cut the strips in half to create the shape of fries.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375F. Whisk eggs in a small bowl and set aside. Mix gouda, panko, Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a separate bowl and set aside.
- Dip the eggplant into the eggs, then coat in the gouda-panko mixture.
- Arrange the eggplant fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined air fryer tray.
- Air fry for five minutes, rotate trays and air fry for an additional five minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to cook in batches.
- Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:
- I’ve found that cooking times can vary drastically between brands of air fryers. This recipe was cooked in the Instant Pot Vortex. You may need to adjust the cooking times, as needed, according to your own air fryer.
- I personally like to line my air fryer cooking sheets with parchment paper, as it helps keep things clean. You could also cook these without parchment paper, just make sure to grease the cooking sheets with cooking spray.
- Don’t have an air fryer? No problem, you can also cook these in the oven! Simply follow the directions through step three and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 450F, spray the eggplant fries with a little bit of olive oil and cook for 10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.
- Need some dipping ideas? Try serving these with marinara, Alabama White Sauce or Whipped Feta with a swirl of Pesto.
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