• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact

Whole Food Bellies logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetizer Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Mar 23, 2022 | Modified: Mar 23, 2022

    Super Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries Recipe

    153 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crispy, crunchy, and moreish, these Air Fryer Eggplant Fries are quickly going to become your new favorite savory snack! Like a normal fry, but different, eggplant fries are crispy on the outside, creamy and tender on the inside, and loaded with all the goodness of eggplant without the bitterness. The perfect snack or appetizer, especially when feeding a crowd and looking for something that little bit different.

    A stack of crispy eggplant fries served on some parchment paper with tomato sauce and an air fryer in the background
    Serve crispy air fryer eggplant fries with a side of tomato sauce.

    Who can resist the crispiness of something coated in breadcrumbs and cooked in the air fryer? One of our other favorite air fryer recipes is these Roasted Za'atar Chickpeas.

    Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

    You may have started seeing crispy eggplant done in the air fryer on social media lately.

    People have started to catch on that lots of veggies make for excellent fries, especially when done in the air fryer, which provides the perfect amount of crisp and crunch you have come to expect from a traditional fry.

    And what's not to love with a simple ingredients list?

    You are going to need:

    • eggplant: kind of a no brainer that you will need eggplant for eggplant fries. Look for a medium sized eggplant that will be easy to cut into evenly sized sticks;
    • panko breadcrumb: do not sub this out for regular breadcrumbs or you will not have the same amount of crunch we want from these veggie fries. Panko can be found in the Asian or international section of a well-stocked grocery store;
    • grated parmesan: I am a firm believer in grating your own cheese so you can skip the preservatives and powdery texture of pre-grated cheese, but you do you;
    • garlic powder: found in the spice section. Best to stick to the powder, and not fresh garlic for ease;
    • eggs: we will need 2 average sized eggs for this recipe;
    • cooking spray of choice: avocado oil is great for this recipe, but you can also use olive oil or coconut oil, depending on what you have.

    Feel free to change up the seasoning to match whatever you are pairing the fries with.

    Why not try some Italian seasoning, onion powder or cajun seasoning.

    You may also want to be sure you have whatever sauce you enjoy eating with homemade fries.

    I am partial to an aioli or ranch, but good old ketchup works a treat also.

    An overhead ingredient shot of ingredients required for making eggplant fries in the air fryer

    How To Make Eggplant Fries

    Eggplant is a great alternative for potatoes when making homemade fries.

    The breadcrumb mixture sticks to the eggplant super easily, making it a quick process to get the breading on there.

    Have everything ready to go before you start making the fries. If you leave the egg mixture on the eggplant fries for too long before coating in crumbs, it may become soggy.

    Set up a dredging station comprising of:

    1. eggplant sliced into evenly sliced sticks, similar to a traditional thick cut fry
    2. a shallow bowl with the whisked egg
    3. a large bowl with the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan and garlic powder combined
    4. a prepped air fryer

    Once you have everything set up you are good to go.

    TIP: if you don't work fast you can add the breadcrumb mixture to a Ziplock bag, throw in the egg-covered eggplant and give everything a good shake if preferred. This will help to prevent the fries from becoming soggy.

    We are simply going to dip the sliced eggplant into the egg wash, followed by the panko mixture, evenly space the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and cook.

    Too easy.

    Serve hot, fresh, and golden brown with a sprinkle of salt.

    If the fries seem a little greasy (perhaps you were a little heavy-handed with the olive oil), you might want to blot up the excess oil with a paper towel before serving.

    eggplant fries cut in similar sized sticks for making eggplant fries
    An egg being whisked in a white bowl. There are some uncooked eggplant fries and panko breadcrumbs in the background
    eggplant sticks being dipped in an eggwash
    eggplant sticks being dipped in an a panko mixture

    Tips and Tricks For Better Fries

    Be sure to evenly coat the eggplant sticks in the breadcrumb mixture so that they are crunchy all over when cooked.

    If you have small eggplants you may want to cut them into evenly sized eggplant rounds instead of sticks.

    If you have a large eggplant, you may want to do long, thin slices lengthwise.

    You do not have to peel the skin from the eggplant.

    In fact, the skin helps the eggplant sticks hold together once cooked.

    Note: on exceptionally large eggplants the skin can become quite tough, so if this is what you have you may want to consider peeling it before use.

    Please note: cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of your fries and the type of air fryer being used.

    crispy eggplant fries sitting in the basket of an air fryer
    Evenly space the fries out in the air fryer to allow for even cooking.

    Storing, Freezing and Leftovers

    These fries are best eaten hot and fresh.

    They can become soggy once allowed to cool, and for this reason, I do not recommend storing leftovers.

    If you do have leftovers you can reheat them in the air fryer to give them that crispy texture before serving.

    Tip: Make a big batch and freeze half of the coated eggplant pieces for a great addition to your next salad.

    If you like to have things prepped and ready in the freezer then prepare the eggplant fries as directed in the recipe card, flash freeze on a baking sheet, and then store in a freezer-safe bag/container for up to 6 months.

    When you’re ready to use them simply thaw them in the refrigerator and air fry as directed.

    A stack of panko crumbed eggplant fries served on parchment paper with an air fryer in the background

    How To Serve Eggplant Fries

    These eggplant fries are just perfect for dipping into a nice dipping sauce.

    Why not serve with one of these:

    • marinara sauce
    • pizza sauce
    • a yogurt dip
    • ranch
    • aioli
    • tomato kethcup
    • this peri peri sauce

    The options are limitless!

    Alternatively, enjoy them as a healhty side dish, as a main dish when added as a cripsy addition to a green salad, dipped in a runny egg, or in a salad wrap for lunch.

    An eggplant fry being held over a small bowl of tomato sauce
    Perfect for dipping.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you peel eggplant before air frying?

    If the eggplant is young and tender and on the smaller side then you do not have to peel it.
    If it is a larger eggplant you may want to peel it before using it in this recipe as the skin can sometimes be tough.

    Can these be baked instead?

    Yes.
    Bake for 15-18 minutes at 425ºF/220ºC.

    Can eggplant fries be frozen?

    Yes.
    Make a batch and freeze before cooking. Simply thaw in the fridge and cook as directed when needed.

    Can eggplant fries be made gluten-free?

    Yes.
    Replace the breadcrumbs with a gluten-free crumb like rice crumbs. You can also use almond flour instead.

    Can eggplant fries be made vegan?

    Yes.
    Swap the egg for plant-based milk and the cheese for nutritional yeast.

    air fryer eggplant fries stacked on some parchment paper with a side of tomato sauce

    Whether you eat them as a snack, as a side to the main dish (how good would these go with a Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger or Air Fryer Paleo Meatloaf Sliders), or as a crispy addition to a green salad, I hope you love these crispy eggplant fries as much as I do!

    Need another great recipe using eggplant?

    Try these Eggplant and Bean Vegan Sausage Rolls next!

    Loved this air fryer eggplant recipe or have a question? Leave a comment below or leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card.

    Happy Eating.

    xx

    Recipe

    A stack of crispy eggplant fries served on some parchment paper with tomato sauce and an air fryer in the background

    Super Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries Recipe

    Air fryer eggplant fries are the perfect side dish. Easy to make and super crispy, they make a great substitute for regular potato fries.
    4.89 from 27 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Total Time 23 minutes mins
    Course Side
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 4 serves
    Calories 174 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 medium eggplant washed and dried
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 eggs
    • oil spray
    • sea salt for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the eggplant into evenly sized sticks resembling thick-cut fries. You do not have to remove the skin of the eggplant.
      1 medium eggplant
    • In a medium-sized bowl, mix the panko breadcrumb, the parmesan, and the garlic power.
      1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • In a second bowl, whisk the eggs together.
      2 eggs
    • Take one eggplant stick at a time and dip it in the eggs.
    • Transfer to the panko mixture bowl and press the stick on all sides, so it’s covered with panko mixture. You will want to do this step quite fast to prevent the eggplant from soaking in the egg mixture and becoming soggy.
    • Spray the bottom of the air fryer's basket with oil, add the eggplant fries, and spray again on top.
      oil spray
    • Cook at 400 ˚F (200C) for about 8 minutes, flipping them halfway. 
    • Sprinkle with sea salt and serve hot and fresh.
      sea salt for serving

    Notes

    Meal Prep/Freezing Ahead
    Make a batch, flash freeze, transfer to a Ziplock bag, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
    Allow to thaw in the fridge and then cook as directed.
    To Make Vegan
    Replace the egg with plant-based milk and the parmesan with nutritional yeast.
    To Bake In the Oven
    Make eggplant fries as directed in the instructions but bake at 425F (215C) for 15-18 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 363mgPotassium: 354mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 253IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword air fryer eggplant, eggplant fries
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    air fryer eggplant fries stacked on some parchment paper with a side of tomato sauce
    « No-Churn 4 Ingredient Strawberry Sherbet
    Pizza Seasoned Cauliflower Gnocchi In The Air Fryer »
    153 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Whole Food Bellies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Check out my Amazon store here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kris says

      November 10, 2022 at 8:47 am

      These were so crispy and tasty and the kiddos loved them which is always a win! Will make again. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Amanda says

      November 10, 2022 at 3:44 am

      I love using my air fryer to make little snacks to have with drinks with my husband, so I made these over the weekend. So good! They came out perfectly crispy. These are definitely a new favorite for us. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Lisa says

      November 10, 2022 at 1:44 am

      I never really liked eggplant until trying this recipe. The fries were so crisp and delicious!

      Reply
    4. Relle says

      November 09, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      Love my air fryer. Thank you.

      Reply
    5. Gail says

      November 09, 2022 at 1:45 pm

      Love that these are made in an air fryer - so easy! These eggplant fries are so crispy and delicious too!

      Reply
    6. Mandy Applegate says

      March 28, 2022 at 10:42 pm

      This is the perfect way to get the kids eating veggies - mine loved them!

      Reply
    7. Eileen Kelly says

      March 24, 2022 at 12:29 pm

      We just loved these fries! Eggplant is our favorite veggie and making them today into fries was delicious! Crispy and crunchy with tender eggplant.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        March 28, 2022 at 10:49 am

        Glad you like them as much as we do!

        Reply
    8. Rupali says

      March 24, 2022 at 10:57 am

      My kids would normally not eat eggplant but loved this crispy version. I am definitely making these again.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        March 28, 2022 at 10:50 am

        Yay!

        Reply
    9. Patrice says

      March 24, 2022 at 7:02 am

      Eggplant...Yes
      Easy Recipe...Yes
      In an Airfryer...OMG YES!!!
      I love it. We'll be making this again soon.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        March 28, 2022 at 10:50 am

        So glad you enjoyed! Definitely on repeat around here!

        Reply
    10. Rachel says

      March 24, 2022 at 6:38 am

      I love fried eggplant but had never tried it in the air fryer. Your recipe is awesome. So flavorful and crispy. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        March 28, 2022 at 10:50 am

        Glad you enjoyed! We have been using the air fryer for everything lately!

        Reply
    11. Lynn Polito says

      March 24, 2022 at 3:44 am

      These are so good! So delicious!

      Reply
      • Rye says

        December 23, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        I sadly couldn't get my egg wash to stick and got so frustrated and made a mess of the kitchen. First batch sucked!! Then I tried to first dredge in Corn starch and Viola perfection. Delicious and will do this again, first in cornstarch then egg.

        Reply
        • Donna says

          January 22, 2023 at 2:05 pm

          Glad you got it to work for you Rye! I have never had this issue when making the fries but will pop a little troubleshooting note in the recipe card in case anyone else has the same issue. Thanks for sharing 🙂

          Reply
    12. Susannah says

      March 24, 2022 at 3:31 am

      These were amazing! Can't wait to make them again.

      Reply
    13. Sherry says

      March 24, 2022 at 3:20 am

      My daughter loves eggplant, so I am always on the lookout for fun new recipes for her to try. After coming across your recipe, I decided to make it for her. She absolutely loved your Air Fryer eggplant fries!! This is an appetizer recipe that I will be making again and again!!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        March 28, 2022 at 10:51 am

        Happy to hear it 🙂

        Reply
    14. Jennifer says

      March 23, 2022 at 11:28 pm

      I'm in love. I love eggplant but have never tried it crispy before! Loved this! I'll be eating lots of eggplant now!

      Reply
    15. Linda says

      March 23, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      I've been wanting to make eggplant fries and am so glad I found this recipe. It's so easy to make, flavorful, and can be ready in no time!

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

    More about me →

    New Recipes

    • An almond cluster being lifted from a piece of parchment paper
    • chia seeds sprinkled on top of the date smoothie
    • Chia seeds sitting in a wooden spoon
    • Air fryer salmon bite being picked up from a bowl with some chop sticks

    Summer Salads

    • Tomato and Nectarine Salad. A great little unique salad showcasing all of summers beautiful fresh flavors
    • Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
    • Lightened Up Creamy Pasta Salad
    • Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad

    Snacks

    • banana blueberry smoothie served in a tall glass with a blue and white straw
    • Layered smoothie served in 4 tall skinny glasses
    • Banana cinnamon roll smoothie
    • Pink grapefruit and pineapple smoothie

    Sweet Snacks

    • Banana bars cut into evenly cut squares and stacked one on top of the other
    • Green Tea Seasoned Candied Nuts 550px
    • Up close shot of a matcha energy ball being rolled in coconut
    • 4 ingredient strawberry sorbet

    Savory Snacks

    • broccoli fritters
    • Lemon Beet Hummus served with crisp breads
    • A bowl of orange hummus served in a white bowl surrounded by chopped veggies
    • overhead shot of air fryer chickpeas coated in zaatar served in a wooden bowl against a white background with some loose chickpeas and a jar of dried garbanzo beans in the background

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit

    Copyright © 2022 Whole Food Bellies