Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

by Holly Nilsson | Jul 04, 2025 |

4.97 from 59 votes

Air fryer eggplant parmesan is an easy and elegant dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute company!

Tender slices of fresh eggplant are breaded and air-fried with marinara sauce and loads of melty mozzarella cheese for the perfect weeknight meal!

plated crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

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Flavor: Sweet eggplant, a crispy, savory breading, and loads of melty cheese make a classic trio of flavors!
Skill Level: This easy recipe is beginner-friendly; just bread, air fry, and layer.
Recommended Tools: The air fryer makes wholesome and delicious foods without the fuss and mess of deep-frying.
Serving: Serve with spaghetti or a Caesar salad for a delicious meal!

taking Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan out of the fryer

Easy Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients

Eggplant: Eggplant is super easy to prep; no peeling needed! Just rinse, pat dry, and slice evenly so it cooks up perfectly. Look for medium, firm eggplant without bruises for nice uniform rounds.
Breading: Flour, breadcrumbs, seasonings, and parmesan cheese are all it takes for this simple breading. Try a panko mixture for more texture and garlic or onion powder for more flavor.
Sauce: Buy your favorite brand or make your own marinara and have lots leftover for other recipes!
Variations: Use chicken breasts to make a classic chicken parmesan in the air fryer. Don’t have an air fryer? Place the breaded eggplant rounds on a rack over a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until browned and crispy.

cooked Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan in the fryer

adding marinara sauce to Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan in the fryer

How To Make Eggplant Parmesan in the Air Fryer

Bread: Dip eggplant slices in flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture (recipe below).
Spray: Coat each slice with cooking spray.
Cook: Air fry in a single layer until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
Top: Top with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and air fry until the cheese melts.

Garnish with parsley, basil, or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and serve hot.

close up of Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan on a plate

Leftover Love

Keep leftover air fryer eggplant parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze portions without the sauce and cheese up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the air fryer with a scoop of extra marinara and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Enjoy leftovers tucked into a pita bread or a wrap for a hearty workday lunch, or serve on top of mashed potatoes, homemade egg noodles, or low-carb zucchini noodles.

More Ideas for Eggplant

Did you enjoy this Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

sweet and savory Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan with writing

close up of Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan with writing

cheesy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan on a plate with sauce and a title

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan in the fryer and plated with a title

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Categories:

Air Fryer, Main Dishes, Meatless Main Dishes, On The Lighter Side, Recipes, Side Dishes, Weeknight Quick Fix

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

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4.97 from 59 votes (49 ratings without comment)

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Comments

Marilyn says:

August 21, 2025 at 7:23 am

So good! Used Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs. Even ate the leftovers for breakfast.

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies SN says:
  
  August 21, 2025 at 9:21 am
  
  Glad you enjoyed it, Marilyn!
  
  Reply
Cherylynn says:

October 1, 2024 at 8:14 pm

These look so good that it makes me want to run out and get an Air Fryer!

Reply
Jenny S. says:

July 27, 2024 at 8:45 am

This is now my favorite eggplant parmesan recipe – so much better than the oil-fryed pan version that Mom made! I made it just as described and it turned out perfectly, eggplant cooked just right and golden crumb crust. I did not spray all of the eggplant with oil, as I ran out of Pam spray, but it still turned out great. This is a keeper! Thanks!

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies SN says:
  
  July 29, 2024 at 2:18 pm
  
  So happy to hear that, Jenny! I am glad it worked out for you.
  
  Reply
Kris Perrotti says:

August 15, 2023 at 7:12 pm

Made this tonight. Eggplant straight from the garden. It was delicious! All the flavor and so much less oil! Wonderful!!!

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies SN says:
  
  August 16, 2023 at 8:13 am
  
  Ooooo, garden eggplant! Delicious.
  
  Reply
Gymrat says:

August 1, 2023 at 4:36 am

it came better than my expectations & it is first attempt to make it in air fryer. with light crunch.

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies AO says:
  
  August 1, 2023 at 7:02 am
  
  I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
  
  Reply
Terri says:

July 18, 2023 at 6:03 am

I am wondering how the best way to freeze the slices would be. Do you think cooking and then freezing, or freezing first? Thanks

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies AO says:
  
  July 20, 2023 at 8:12 am
  
  We’ve tried freezing leftovers but haven’t tried freezing them before so I can’t say for sure. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out Terri!
  
  Reply
Carol Wickwire says:

February 8, 2023 at 4:49 pm

Followed recipe exactly and got a crisp on the outside, tender on the inside result! And no salting of the eggplant beforehand to draw out moisture, just patted dry with paper towels. Terrific! And pretty dang fast as well!

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies AO says:
  
  February 9, 2023 at 9:07 am
  
  I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Carol!
  
  Reply
Maddie says:

February 6, 2023 at 10:00 am

so good! I will definitely make this again. I also added more spices to the breadcrumb mixture (onion and garlic powder). I did use a larger eggplant so I didn’t get many out of it. I think next time I will get a few smaller ones.

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies AO says:
  
  February 6, 2023 at 10:06 am
  
  I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Maddie!
  
  Reply
Essie says:

September 10, 2022 at 5:02 am

Thanks for all the air fry recipes. Air frying isn’t just done in a counter-top appliance any more, though. My whole oven does air frying! I could air fry a turkey, if I wanted to.

Reply
fooddoz says:

July 17, 2022 at 7:36 pm

It is a nice recipe. Thx

Reply
Susan says:

July 16, 2022 at 12:20 pm

Worked perfectly! Thanks so much. Made it gluten free.

Reply
1. Holly Nilsson says:
  
  July 18, 2022 at 6:33 am
  
  So glad you loved it Susan!
  
  Reply
Kathryn says:

July 10, 2022 at 4:24 pm

This is great! I made it with one small change…lower temp 370 and 6 mins on each side. Great and easy!

Reply
Bonnie says:

July 7, 2022 at 9:43 am

I had to cook on 400 to get it to brown, also added minutes. I think I would cut thinner also

Reply
1. Spend With Pennies SN says:
  
  July 29, 2022 at 9:52 am
  
  Thanks for the feedback, Bonnie! You can definitely cut them to your preference, if cutting thinner just be careful not to overcook them!
  
  Reply
Erica B says:

June 30, 2022 at 11:33 am

Hi, so you dont have to dry out the eggplant first? Just slice and go? Awesome!

Reply
1. Holly Nilsson says:
  
  June 30, 2022 at 3:49 pm
  
  No need to salt or dry out the eggplant, just dab it dry before dipping.
  
  Reply

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Holly’s Recipe Highlights

Easy Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients

How To Make Eggplant Parmesan in the Air Fryer

Leftover Love

More Ideas for Eggplant

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