Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza Recipe
This Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza recipe is a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional pizza. With a crispy eggplant base and gooey cheese, it's a deliciously perfect lunch or dinner that can be easily made in your air fryer.
The inspiration behind this recipe came from my parents' garden. They have a gorgeous garden in their backyard, and they gave me a cute eggplant they grew in it. I was trying to figure out what to do with the eggplant, rummaging through the fridge to see what I had.
Right there in front of me, I had marinara sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. Perfect! I seriously love pizza; it’s one of my favorite foods (but then again, who doesn’t love pizza)?
This eggplant pizza satisfies your pizza craving with a healthy twist! It has a crispy, golden base of eggplant, topped with a tangy pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and a dusting of Parmesan. It’s all made in my trusty air fryer! Whether you're a die-hard eggplant fan or just curious to try something new, this amazing recipe for Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza will win you over!
Grocery List for Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza
Fresh Produce
1 medium-sized eggplant
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Dairy
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Non-Perishables
Salt
1/2 cup pizza sauce - swap for marinara sauce
How to Make Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza
Start by preparing the eggplant:
Wash the eggplant and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
Place the eggplant slices on a wire rack or a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
Generously sprinkle salt over both sides of the eggplant slices. This helps remove a lot of moisture and bitterness. Allow the salted eggplant rounds to sit for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, you'll notice moisture on the eggplant slices. Use a paper towel to gently dab the eggplant dry, removing as much salt and moisture as possible.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes.
Lightly spray or brush the eggplant slices with olive oil on both sides. This will help them become crispy in the air fryer.
Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the eggplant slices for 15 minutes. You want them to be tender but not mushy.
Once the eggplant slices are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
Now, it's time to assemble your eggplant pizzas: 8. Spoon a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each slice and spread it evenly. 8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the sauce. 8. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor on the mini pizzas.
Place the assembled eggplant pizzas back into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is bubbly, and the edges of the eggplant slices become crispy and golden brown.
Carefully remove the eggplant pizzas from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two.
Garnish your eggplant pizzas with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and color.
Serve hot, and enjoy your delicious and healthier eggplant pizza!
FAQ
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Salting the eggplant helps draw out excess moisture and reduces bitterness. The 20-minute wait allows the salt to work its magic and makes the eggplant slices more suitable for cooking.
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While you can skip the salting step, it's recommended to enhance the texture and taste of the eggplant. If you're short on time, you can reduce the salting time, but it contributes to a better end result.
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Dabbing helps remove the moisture and excess salt, preventing the eggplant from becoming too salty and ensuring a crispier texture when air-fried.
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Applying olive oil helps the eggplant become crispy during air frying. It adds a nice texture and great taste to the dish.
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Yes, you can bake the eggplant slices in the oven. Adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly, keeping an eye on the texture to achieve the desired crispiness.
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You can use your favorite store-bought tomato sauce or make your own homemade marinara sauce. If making your own, ensure it has a balanced flavor profile to complement the eggplant.
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Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings to customize the dish to your liking.
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Fresh basil leaves add a traditional flavor, but you can experiment with other herbs or garnishes based on your preferences, such as parsley or oregano.
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The recommended size is 1/4-inch thick rounds, but you can adjust it based on your preference. Thinner sliced eggplant may cook faster, while thicker slices may require more time.
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Yes, you can prepare the air fryer eggplant pizza slices in advance and assemble the pizzas when ready to serve. Store the cooked eggplant slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble and air fry the pizzas when needed.
This easy Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza recipe is a fantastic option for home cooks seeking a quick and tasty meal or side dish. With just a simple recipe and an air fryer, you can enjoy a crispy and flavorful pizza. An added bonus is that it is much healthier, without the heavy carb load of a traditional pizza! It's the perfect way to satisfy your pizza cravings and is a breeze to make for the whole family. These mini eggplant pizza bites will make a great addition to your next meal as a main dish or an appetizer.
Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized eggplant
- Salt
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by preparing the eggplant:
- Wash the eggplant and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
- Place the eggplant slices on a wire rack or a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Generously sprinkle salt over both sides of the eggplant slices. This helps remove excess moisture and bitterness. Allow the salted eggplant slices to sit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, you'll notice moisture on the eggplant slices. Use paper towels to gently dab the eggplant dry, removing as much salt and moisture as possible.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes.
- Lightly spray or brush the eggplant slices with olive oil on both sides. This will help them become crispy in the air fryer.
- Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the eggplant slices for 15 minutes. You want them to be tender but not mushy.
- Once the eggplant slices are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Now, it's time to assemble your eggplant pizzas:
- Spoon a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each slice and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Place the assembled eggplant pizzas back into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the eggplant slices become crispy.
- Carefully remove the eggplant pizzas from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two.
- Garnish your eggplant pizzas with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and color.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious and healthier eggplant pizza!
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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