These air fryer eggplant fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re the perfect healthy alternative to traditional french fries.

Whether you’re serving them alongside sandwiches or as a side dish for pasta and proteins, these air fryer eggplant fries will steal the show. They can even be your main dish.
The best part about making eggplant fries in an air fryer is that all of the sides crisp up beautifully. And, unlike deep frying on the stovetop, there’s nearly no cleanup after making these healthy fries.
If this is your first time making air fryer fried eggplant, get ready to fall in love. This easy recipe may become a regular go-to.
Ingredients to make eggplant fries

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
Eggplant: The start of the show's star, eggplant, has a meaty texture that makes it perfect for making fries. Slice them into the size that you prefer.
Eggs: Eggs help to bind the coating to the eggplant and contribute to the crispy texture
Panko breadcrumbs: This style of breadcrumb has a unique crunchy texture that is more light and airy than other styles of breadcrumbs.
Parmesan cheese: This hard cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor to the coating.
Garlic powder: Garlic’s savory flavor complements the eggplant well, and using the powdered form helps to ensure it’s incorporated evenly. Plus, it saves time when preparing the fries.
Italian seasoning: This blend of herbs and spices, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, gives the dish a classic Italian flavor. You can trade it out for other seasoning blends like taco seasoning or dry ranch dressing mix.
Olive oil spray: Using a little oil helps to form a crispy, golden brown coating when air frying. You can also use vegetable, canola, or avocado oil spray.
Chives: This optional garnish boosts the dish's color, flavor, and texture when serving.
Whipped feta sauce
- Feta cheese: Creamy and tangy, this cheese pairs well with the eggplant.
- Greek yogurt: Yogurt adds creaminess to the sauce and balances the tanginess of the feta cheese.
- Garlic clove: Fresh garlic adds tons of flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have it handy, try using garlic powder.
- Olive oil: Use the oil to thin the sauce to get just the right consistency.
- Red wine vinegar: This vinegar style adds acid that helps balance the sauce.
- Mint: Mint imparts fresh, herbal flavor.
Tools used to make this easy air fryer eggplant recipe
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How to make eggplant fries in air fryer?
Add the egg and water to a shallow bowl and stir until combined. Combine panko breadcrumbs with cheese and seasonings for the eggplant in another shallow bowl.

Dredge an eggplant stick first through the egg and then through the panko mixture.

Repeat until all of the eggplant has been dredged.

Place the fries in the preheated air fryer basket and spray them with oil.


Air fry for the recommended time, turning halfway through.
While the sticks of eggplant fry, prepare the feta sauce by placing all of the ingredients for the sauce into a food processor (except the mint). Blend until smooth.

Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and serve alongside the warm eggplant fries.

Tips for the best crispy eggplant fries
- To minimize the amount of breadcrumbs stuck to your hands, use one hand for dipping in the egg and one for dipping the sticks into the breadcrumbs.
- To avoid winding up with soggy eggplant fries, ensure there is a bit of space between them in the air fryer. You will likely need to cook them in batches so that they turn out crispy.
- Switch up the flavor profile by adding other spices like onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, curry powder, or red pepper flakes. Or, try adding some umami by using nutritional yeast.
- To give the fries a little extra flavor, sprinkle salt directly after removing them from the air fryer.
How long to air fry eggplant sticks?
Air-fried eggplant sticks cook for less than 15 minutes, but the cooking time may vary depending on the size. Check on them and turn them in sooner if they are browning quickly.
What to serve with crispy air fryer eggplant fries
- Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Artichoke Salad
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- With a spread of other appetizers like cauliflower bites or Instant Pot artichokes.
- Another dipping sauce like marinara sauce, tzatziki, or salsa
How to store leftovers?
Refrigerator: To store leftover eggplant fries, allow them to cool down to room temperature first. Then, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: To freeze them, place the cooled eggplant fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen eggplant fries to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag, label it with the date, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to reheat eggplant fries in air fryer?
To reheat in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the leftover eggplant fries in the air fryer basket and air fry for 3-4 minutes or until heated and crispy.
While the results won’t be the same, you can reheat in the oven, too. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through and crispy again.
FAQ’s
Yes, you can make fried eggplant in an air fryer -- it can be a healthier alternative to other cooking methods.
Eggplant fries can be a healthy snack or side dish when prepared properly. According to Healthline, eggplants are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Peeling or not peeling is a matter of personal preference. The skin of an eggplant is edible and contains nutrients, but it can sometimes be slightly bitter.
If you prefer to remove the skin, you can do so with a vegetable peeler or paring knife.

How to cut eggplant for fries?
To make eggplant fries, start by washing and drying the eggplant. Cut off both ends and stand it on its end so it’s stable on a flat surface.
Then slice the eggplant into long, thin sticks about ½ inch wide (or the size you prefer). Use a sharp knife to get even cuts.
It's important to cut the eggplant sticks evenly to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll love
- Air Fryer Eggplant
- Eggplant Parmesan in The Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Cauliflower and Broccoli in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Eggplant Fries Recipe
These air fryer eggplant fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re the perfect healthy alternative to traditional french fries.
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant, cut into sticks
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil in an oil sprayer bottle.
- Chives to garnish
Whipped feta sauce
- 1 cup feta cheese
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Mint to garnish
Tools
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Stir together the egg and water in another shallow dish. Mix the panko, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a second shallow dish.
- Dredge the eggplant sticks in the eggs and then in the panko breadcrumbs mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Arrange the eggplant fries in the air fryer basket, spritz them with oil, and air fry to 390ºF for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through or until crispy. Repeat with the remaining eggplant fries.
- To make the feta sauce add the ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth; transfer to a dipping bowl and garnish with fresh mint.
- Serve the eggplant fries with the feta sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- To minimize the amount of breadcrumbs stuck to your hands, use one hand for dipping in the egg and one for dipping the sticks into the breadcrumbs.
- To avoid winding up with soggy eggplant fries, make sure there is a bit of space in between them in the air fryer. You will likely need to cook them in batches so that they turn out crispy.
- Switch up the flavor profile by adding other spices like onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, curry powder, or red pepper flakes. Or, try adding some umami by using nutritional yeast.
- To give the fries a little extra flavor, sprinkle salt on them directly after removing them from the air fryer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 417Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 340mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 6gSugar: 10gProtein: 22g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.