Name: Light Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan: Guilt-Free Meal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 0.75 cup walnuts, crushed; 0.25 cup dry bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 1 large eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch rounds; 0.75 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper; Sea salt to taste; 0.75 cup marinara sauce; 8 ounces shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pinch dried oregano, or to taste; 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste

Indulge in the comforting flavors of eggplant parmesan without the guilt! This air fryer version skips the traditional breading and frying, delivering a healthier, equally delicious dish with a delightful walnut crunch.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Liberally coat the basket with cooking spray. (Prep time: 2 minutes)

02

Step

Combine crushed walnuts, bread crumbs, and basil in a bowl. Set aside. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

03

Step

Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket (slight overlapping is okay). Mist the tops of the eggplant slices liberally with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt. Top with walnut bread crumb mixture. (Prep time: 10 minutes)

04

Step

Air-fry the rounds until eggplant is soft and golden brown. (Cook time: 8-10 minutes)

05

Step

Remove from the air fryer and top each slice with about 1 tablespoon marinara sauce and 1 heaping tablespoon mozzarella cheese. Then, sprinkle the slices with Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

06

Step

Air-fry until the cheese is hot and bubbly. (Cook time: 5-7 minutes)

For a richer flavor, use homemade marinara sauce.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness.
If you don't have walnuts, you can substitute with other nuts like almonds or pecans.
Ensure the eggplant slices are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket for even cooking; cook in batches if necessary.
Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Adelbert Auer

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