Whole Eggplants in Air Fryer Salad
The advantages of cooking with an air fryer are numerous: there’s no need to preheat the oven, the cooking is faster, cheaper, and healthier (requiring very little fat) fewer pots and dishes are used, and it doesn’t produce smoke or odors. Light, vegan, and vegetarian recipe.
These whole eggplants cooked in an air fryer salad can be prepared quickly without smoke and odors, they are easy to peel, and they make an excellent vegetarian, gluten-free, healthy, fresh, and light side dish.
In summer, it is a great cold and healthy summer side dish
Additionally, the air fryer allows one to achieve dry, non-watery and appetizing cooked eggplants.
When buying eggplants to check for freshness, make sure the flesh is firm and the skin glossy; if they have wrinkled, dull, and soft parts, it means they are wilting.
Eggplants can also be frozen raw. Once cooked, they can be kept in the fridge well sealed in an airtight container for up to 3/4 days.
Please note that cooking temperature and times are generally indicative because a lot depends on your type of air fryer and the size of the eggplants, however, the recipes on my Blog are all previously and rigorously tested by me, so they are more than tried and true.
You might also be interested in:
- Scialatielli Aumm Aumm with eggplants and fiordilatte. Very easy Caprese recipe.
- Neapolitan fried eggplant sandwiches, stuffed with salami and fiordilatte.
- Conchiglioni with peppers and fried eggplants. Family recipe
- Neapolitan eggplant parmigiana! Original family recipe
- Summer cannelloni casserole, in eggplant wrap. Step-by-step recipe
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Summer
Ingredients for Whole Eggplants in Air Fryer Salad
- 2 black oval eggplants
- as needed extra virgin olive oil (cold-pressed, spray)
- 1 garlic (whole)
- as needed parsley
- as needed chili powder
- as needed fine salt
Tools
- Fork
- Air fryer Philips
- Air fryer parchment baking sheets
- Air fryer paper with holes
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Bowl
- Grill for air fryer
Steps for Whole Eggplants in Air Fryer Salad
Wash the oval eggplants and prick them with a fork; if you like, spray them with a little oil and salt.
Place the whole eggplants in the basket of the air fryer.
Set the air fryer to “Manual” and program the eggplants to cook at 320°F for 20 minutes and then at 355°F for 10 minutes (a total of 30 minutes). Let them rest for 5 minutes.
Place the cooked eggplants on a cutting board, cut them in half lengthwise, and use a fork to extract the flesh, trying to remove the seeds.
Remove all the flesh from the eggplants and place them in strips in a bowl,
I seasoned the eggplants with a little extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chili, salt, and parsley, mixed and served as a side dish (you can also blend them into a spreadable cream with a mixer).
Personally, I find them delicious enjoyed with warm croutons of stale bread, first quickly soaked and then cooked – also in the air fryer – for about 11 minutes at 355°F.
You can use the type of seasoning you prefer, for example: garlic, salt, oil, a splash of vinegar, basil (or parsley or mint), chili (or black pepper).
Shopping Tips !!!
I am very satisfied with the Philips Air Fryer, with a large basket, plus the Rapid Air technology, creates an optimal circulation of hot air that cooks food evenly and keeps it crispy outside and tender inside. With 13 cooking functions in one: Fries, bakes, grills, roasts, and reheats. A healthier way to cook, separates and captures excess fat (healthy and tasty dishes with up to 90% less fat). Cooks up to 50% faster and saves up to 70% energy compared to an oven (cuts cooking time in half compared to a traditional oven, as it does NOT require preheating). Very handy the “Keep warm” mode. All components are easily removable and dishwasher safe. Highly recommended! You can find it on Amazon at a special price.
These disposable parchment paper sheets for air fryer are very useful, without holes they don’t dirty the fryer, but the hot air circulates the same because they are very thin. Additionally, they are oil and water-resistant, non-stick, do not burn, and can also be used in a regular oven, available on Amazon.
I also often use this handy perforated parchment paper for air fryer, non-stick and easy to clean, also usable in a traditional oven, on Amazon at a great price.
To cook the eggplants, I sprayed on top this convenient extra virgin olive oil spray, cold-pressed, of excellent quality, with incorporated spray dispenser, available on Amazon.
Moreover, if you want to keep your air fryer clean and protected from scratches and abrasions (like from tongs), these non-stick reusable heat-resistant grill mats are very useful, on Amazon
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can eggplants be air fried whole in an air fryer?
Yes.
What does cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil mean?
Oil extracted by cold pressing is a superior quality extra virgin olive oil, produced according to European Union regulations.
Which parchment paper is best for an air fryer?
If you are using the air fryer for foods that drip (such as batter), it is better to use parchment paper sheets WITHOUT holes (the paper is very light, and air and heat circulate just as well). If the foods to be cooked in the air fryer are dry and don’t drip, it’s preferable to use perforated parchment paper.
What to use to keep the air fryer clean without scratching it?
Non-stick reusable heat-resistant grill mat for the air fryer.
