Eggplant Parmesan also called Aubergine Parmigiana, is one of our most favorite recipe. Making the eggplant cutlets in the air fryer is the best choice ever and it is so convenient. This eggplant parmigiana recipe is very straight forward and it is easier than ever to enjoy our Italian favorite at home.
When talking about my favorite food, how can I not mention Eggplant Parmesan? It is one of our very favorite when eating out at Italian restaurants and we especially love the Olive Garden version.
If I tell you that it is very easy to make eggplant parmesan (or eggplant parmigiana) at home with just a handful of ingredients, will you be surprised? It is indeed very easy to make, just a little time-consuming and maybe a bit messy.
I have made oven-baked Aubergine Parmigiana before and it was all right. But ever since I started using my air fryer, I make it very often as it closely resembles the deep-fried (traditional) kind. I love my air fryer and if you had to buy it to make one dish, then it would be this eggplant parmesan recipe. Or make it two, and try the tofu in it.
What is Eggplant Parmesan (Aubergine Parmigiana)?
Eggplant parmigiana is a traditional Italian dish made with breaded and deep-fried eggplant slices. These slices are then layered with tomato sauce, topped with cheese, and baked as a casserole.
I make them as individual eggplant slices or patties and then top each eggplant parmesan slice with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and serve with pasta on the side.
These breaded and fried eggplant slices can also be made into an eggplant parmesan sub. When making them, I always make extra and freeze the extra fried slices to use later.
Frequently asked questions
The large purple eggplant works the best for this recipe. I love making it in summer when we grow our own eggplant and that allows me to use the tender eggplant fresh from the garden.
I always make mine without eggs. I use a batter/mixture all-purpose flour and milk to coat my eggplant slices.
I have used plain bread crumbs, homemade breadcrumbs and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for the eggplant parmesan recipe. Panko bread crumbs will also work. I personally like the regular breadcrumbs though.
I would not freeze the breaded eggplant slices as it will become soggy after a while. I fry or air fry my breaded eggplant slices and then freeze them.
I serve my eggplant parmesan with spaghetti and marinara sauce. Any kind of pasta on the side would work. If I am making it as a layered casserole, then just some dinner rolls or garlic bread will be a great option.
Salting the sliced eggplant slices and letting it sit helps draw the bitterness out of the eggplant. We have had an experience once at a restaurant when the eggplant was so bitter that we could not eat it. I would highly suggest that you don't skip this step.
Ingredients Needed
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable recipe.
Eggplant - refer to the note above about what kind of eggplant to use
Seasoning - Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Flour - All-purpose flour
Bread crumbs
Cheese - Parmesan cheese
Oil - to spray the cutlets
To assemble - Marinara sauce and Mozzarella Cheese
Step-by-step process
Preparing the eggplant
- Slice the eggplants into ¼-inch thick slices, sprinkle salt on both sides, and place it on a colander or on a rack over a tray. Let it sit for 30 -45 minutes.
- You will notice by the end of the time, that the eggplant slices have droplets of water over them. Pat them dry with a paper towel and keep them ready.
Getting the breading station ready
- Flour mixture – In a shallow bowl add ½ cup of flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Batter – In another shallow bowl, add ¾ cup of milk and ¼ cup of flour. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk well. Keep it aside.
- Bread crumbs – In the 3rd shallow container, add the breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese and add Italian seasoning and garlic powder. If using seasoned bread crumbs, skip the seasoning.
Breading the eggplants
- Pat each eggplant slice into dry flour and then dip it into the batter to coat and then place it on the bread crumbs and coat evenly.
- Repeat each step to coat all the slices and place them on a wire rack.
Hint – use one hand to deal with the dry flour and bread crumbs and another hand for the wet batter. This way it keeps the process less messy.
Air frying the eggplant cutlets
- Preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 390 F.
- Spray or brush a thin layer of oil over the breaded cutlets and place it in the air fryer basket/tray. Do not crowd the basket. Place them in a single layer.
- Air fry for about 9 to 10 minutes or until the cutlets are golden brown. Flip the eggplant cutlets once in between for even frying.
To assemble the eggplant parmesan
- Top each fried eggplant cutlet with a layer of marinara sauce and then place mozzarella cheese on top.
- Return it back to the air fryer for about 2 minutes or so until the cheese melts.
- Serve the eggplant parmesan with pasta.
Eggplant Parmesan | Aubergine Parmigiana | Air fryer recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large Eggplant (about 12 slices) sliced into ¼ inch thick slices
- 2 cups Bread crumbs
- ¾ cup All purpose flour
- ¾ cup Milk
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- to taste Salt
- to spray Oil
- To assemble –
- Breaded and fried eggplant slices
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preparing the eggplant –
- Slice the eggplants into ¼ inch thick slices and sprinkle salt on both the sides and place it on a colander or on a rack over a tray. Let it sit for 30 -45 minutes.
- You will notice by the end of the time, that the eggplant slices have droplets of water over them. Pat them dry with paper towel and keep it ready.
Getting the breading station ready –
- Flour mixture – In a shallow bowl add ½ cup of flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Batter – In another shallow bowl, add ¾ cup of milk and ¼ cup of flour. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk well. Keep it aside.
- Bread crumbs – In the 3rd shallow container, add the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and add Italian seasoning and garlic powder. If using seasoned bread crumbs, skip the seasoning
Breading the eggplants –
- Pat each eggplant slice into dry flour and then dip it into batter to coat and then place it on the bread crumbs and coat evenly.
- Repeat each step to coat all the slices and place them on a wire rack.
- Hint – use one hand to deal with the dry flour and bread crumbs and another hands for the wet batter. This way it keeps the process less messy.
Air frying the eggplant cutlets –
- Preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 390 F.
- Spray or brush a thin layer of oil over the breaded cutlets and place it in the air fryer basket / tray. Do not crowd the basket. Place them in a single layer.
- Air fry for about 9 to 10 minutes or until the cutlets are golden brown. Flip the cutlets once in between for even frying.
To assemble the eggplant parmesan –
- Top each fried cutlet with a layer of marinara sauce and then place mozzarella cheese on top.
- Return it back to the air fryer for about 2 minutes or so until the cheese melts.
- Serve with pasta.
Radha R says
Eggplant is my favorite too. Thanks for the airfryer version. Looks delicious!
Vaishali says
We love the airfryer too , and these egg plants were my all time favourite . I developed a allergy to them so have given up . These looks absolutely fantastic .
Sandhya says
Thank you Vaishali! Eggplant allergies are unfortunately common.
Pankti says
Such amazingly detailed Post.. You definitely tempted me to buy an air frier.. The eggplant Parmesan looks perfect.
Parul says
In a convection oven, at what temperature are the patties to be baked, and for how long?
Sandhya says
Parul, I would bake them at 400 F for about 30 minutes. Flip it once in between. Also keep an eye as the time might vary depending on the thickness of the patty.
Suma Gandlur says
The air fryer idea for the eggplant parmesan recipe is really smart and thanks for the idea.
Harini Rupanagudi says
Before the air fryer I used to make it for the kids in the oven and I haven't tried it in the air fryer. Good one, Sandhya comes out perfect every time.
Tanvi says
Made this today! Came out super delicious! Thank you Sandhya! You are a genius 🙏
Sandhya says
Tanvi, so happy that the recipe worked for you! It is one of our favorite as well and I was so happy that the air fryer works so well for this.
Pavithra Rajan says
Hi Sandhya- I tired this and I tell you it is fabulous!!. Thank you very much. I used to go to Olive Garden only for this and you helped me recreate this at home.
You tips on having a dedicated hand for batter dips and also the note on freezing were so helpful. I froze the remaining and air fried to warm them the next day and was perfect too!!
Sandhya says
Hi Pavithra, thanks so much for trying and so happy that you liked it 🙂
Kayla DiMaggio says
Loving this eggplant Parmesan! Such an easy and delicious recipe!
Crystal V Yentzen says
I love eggplant and I recently bought an air fryer, so I must make this dish! Thanks so much!
Ruth Grindeland says
This turned out so much better than I expected. Thank you for making it so easy.
Andrea says
loveee that this is in the air fryer! so yummy!
Anaiah says
This eggplant parmesan comes out so perfectly using the air fryer. This makes a fantastic dinner for the family. Thanks for the recipe!
Joshua says
Great flavor and had the perfect crisp! It easy, simple to make, and a great accompaniment to my pasta.
Lucas says
I've been looking for easy Air Fryer recipes like this! So delicious!
Sam says
This is such a great recipe!! Perfect for weeknight dinners, thanks!