Low Calorie Air Fryer Eggplant (Printable Version)
Crispy, tender eggplant cubes with Mediterranean spices. Ready in 25 minutes with minimal oil for a healthy side or appetizer.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium eggplant (approximately 14 oz), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
→ Seasonings
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil (or olive oil spray for fewer calories)
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
02 - Place the eggplant cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or spray lightly for an even lower calorie option. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the eggplant is well coated with the seasoning mixture.
03 - Arrange the eggplant pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which prevents proper crisping.
04 - Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until the eggplant is golden brown and crispy on the edges.
05 - Transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get that restaurant style crispy exterior without the guilt of deep frying
- The seasonings create such depth of flavor nobody will guess this took barely 25 minutes
02 -
- Overcrowding the basket is the fastest way to end up with steamed instead of crispy eggplant
- The air fryer temperature can vary, so start checking at 12 minutes the first time you make it
03 -
- Pat your cubed eggplant dry with paper towels before seasoning for extra crispy results
- Let the air fryer come back to temperature between batches if cooking more than one