Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the eggplant. Slice the eggplant into fry-shaped sticks, about ½ inch thick.

Place the eggplant fries in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Allow them to sit for 20-30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. This step helps them become crispier.

Rinse the eggplant fries under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

Set up a breading station: In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Dip each eggplant fry first into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to prevent the fries from sticking.

Place the breaded eggplant fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches).

Air fry for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once cooked, remove the fries and repeat with any remaining eggplant fries.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (like marinara or tzatziki) for additional flavor.