Air Fryer Recipe

Eggplant fries

Name: Eggplant fries
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 large eggplant; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 eggs; 2 tablespoons of water; Your choice of dipping sauces (optional)

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 25 min
Serves: 4
Category: Sides

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Eggplant fries make a lighter swap for classic potato fries, with their own savoury flavour and a crisp finish that works beautifully in the air fryer.

Ingredients

1 large eggplant
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
2 tablespoons of water
Your choice of dipping sauces (optional)

Method

Peel the eggplant, then cut it into evenly sized ‘fries’.
In one bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs with the water.
Dip each eggplant fry into the egg mixture, then press it into the breadcrumb mixture to coat.
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for about 5 minutes.
Place the breaded eggplant fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
Serve straight away with dipping sauces.

Why this works in an air fryer

The high-speed convection of the air fryer crisps the breadcrumb coating by rapidly evaporating moisture from the surface, while the cheese melts to create a cohesive crust.

Equipment notes

Assumes a 3.5-litre basket; single-drawer models require fries in a single layer, while dual-zone models can separate batches but may need longer cooking for even browning.

Common pitfalls

Fries not browning by minute 10? Increase temperature by 10°C; moisture from the eggplant may be too high.
Breadcrumbs falling off? Ensure eggplant is well-dried before dipping to improve adhesion.
Fries soggy after cooking? Reduce batch size to avoid steam build-up; overcrowding traps moisture.
Uneven cooking? Rotate fries halfway through to ensure all sides are exposed to hot air.

Variations & substitutions

Substitute panko for breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier texture.
Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan option, adjusting for salt.
Add smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mix for a smoky flavour.
Replace oregano with thyme for a different herbal note.

Storage & reheating

Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 3-4 minutes; keeps for up to 2 days refrigerated.

Nutrition

Calories: 250