Introduction
Crispy Air-Fried Eggplant Slices are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried eggplant. By using an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture with significantly less oil, making it a lighter option without compromising on flavor. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a main course when paired with a salad or pasta. The following detailed guide will take you through each step of the preparation, along with tips and variations to help you make the perfect crispy eggplant slices.
Preparation Time and Servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
-Cooking Time: 7 minutes
-Servings:4-6
Ingredients
– 1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
– Salt to taste
– 1 egg, beaten
– ¼ cup milk
– 1 cup breadcrumbs (use Panko for extra crunch).
Directions
1. Prepare the Eggplant:
– Start by selecting a fresh, firm eggplant. The skin should be smooth and glossy without any soft spots or blemishes.
– Wash the eggplant thoroughly under cold running water and pat it dry with a clean towel.
– Using a sharp knife, slice the eggplant into rounds about ½ inch thick. Uniform slices ensure even cooking.
2. Salt the Eggplant:
Place the eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet or large cutting board.
.. Salting the eggplant helps to draw out excess moisture, reducing bitterness and ensuring a crispy texture when air-fried.
Let the salted eggplant slices sit for 10 minutes. You will notice beads of moisture forming on the surface.
Slices should be flipped and salted on the other side after ten minutes. Give them ten more minutes to sit.
3. Prepare the Coating:
– While the eggplant slices are resting, prepare the coating stations.
– In a shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a great choice for an extra crunchy texture, but regular breadcrumbs work well too.
– In another shallow bowl, beat the egg and add the milk. Whisk together until well combined. This egg mixture will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the eggplant slices.
4. Pat Dry the Eggplant:
– After the eggplant slices have rested and released moisture, use a paper towel to pat them dry. Removing the excess moisture is key to achieving a crispy finish.
5. Coat the Eggplant Slices:
– Dip each eggplant slice into the egg mixture, ensuring it is completely coated. Allow any excess to drip off.
– Dredge the egg-coated eggplant slice in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating on both sides.
– Place the coated eggplant slices on a clean plate or tray, ready to be air-fried.
6. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Start the air fryer by heating it to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, or 160 degrees Celsius. Preheating ensures that the eggplant slices start cooking immediately, leading to a crispy exterior.
7. Air-Fry the Eggplant Slices:
– Arrange the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the air crisper tray or basket of your air fryer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
– Slide the tray or basket into the air fryer that has been warmed. Select the air fry setting and set the temperature to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sauté the slices of aubergine for five minutes.
8. Flip and Continue Cooking:
– After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip each eggplant slice using tongs or a spatula. This step ensures that both sides become equally crispy.
– Continue cooking for another 2 minutes, or until the eggplant slices are golden brown and crispy.
Nutrition Information
– Calories:147
– Fat: 9g
– Protein: 14g
Tips for Perfect Crispy Eggplant Slices
-Equal Parts: Ethanol should be cooked through if it is cut into consistent pieces. To ensure accuracy, use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
– Salting: Don’t skip the salting step. It’s crucial for drawing out excess moisture and reducing bitterness, which helps achieve a crispy texture.
Breadcrumbs from Panko: Panko breadcrumbs are superior than normal breadcrumbs when it comes to crunch.
-Air Fryer Temperature: Make sure to preheat the air fryer to the correct temperature to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are an excellent tool for making fried foods with less oil. Here are some benefits:
– Efficiency:Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, saving time in the kitchen.
– Healthier Cooking: Using an air fryer requires less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in lower calorie content.
– Crispy Texture: The hot air circulation ensures that the eggplant slices come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Variations to Try
1. Parmesan-Crusted Eggplant:
– Mix grated Parmesan cheese with the breadcrumbs for a cheesy, savory crust.
2. Spicy Eggplant Slices:
– Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs for a spicy kick.
3. Herb-Infused Eggplant:
– Mix dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary into the breadcrumbs for an extra layer of flavor.
4. Gluten-Free Eggplant:
– To accommodate people with food allergies, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
5. Vegan Eggplant Slices:
– Substitute the egg and milk mixture with a plant-based alternative like almond milk and a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water).
Serving Suggestions
Crispy Air-Fried Eggplant Slices can be enjoyed in various ways:
– As an Appetizer: Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dip, or garlic aioli.
– In Sandwiches: Add to a sandwich with fresh vegetables and your favorite condiments for a crispy, flavorful filling.
– IN Salads: Toss the crispy eggplant slices into a salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette.
– With Pasta: Serve alongside pasta dishes like spaghetti marinara or fettuccine Alfredo for a hearty meal.
– As a Snack: Enjoy the eggplant slices on their own as a healthy snack, perfect for any time of the day.
Which kind of aubergine is best for making Milanese?
You may use almost any kind of aubergine to good effect in this dish. Since huge globe, also known as American, aubergine is the most readily accessible all year round, I use it nearly exclusively. However, I like the round Sicilian aubergine and will use it if available.
How can one choose a quality aubergine?
When choosing aubergine, seek for a little firm but not hard texture and one that feels weighty for its size. If you can penetrate the eggplant’s skin, it’s past its prime.
Do I need to peel the eggplant?
Whether or not to leave the skin on aubergine is up to youAlthough eggplant skin is edible and nutritious, I find it bitter and harsh. If you leave the skin on and slice the aubergine thinly as instructed, you won’t notice it.