Last Updated on October 9, 2025 by PorchLightReading
Air fryer eggplant bites with a crispy breading and dipped in a marinara sauce. Perfect fall appetizer with a golden, crispy crunch.
It seems like I’m the only one excited that eggplant makes its way into the grocery cart. It’s not really a surprise thought, since I’m the one pushing the cart. But if I’m going to trick the kids into eating this healthy vegetable, I’m going to need to disguise it better than throwing a bit of mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce on top.
These air fryer eggplant bites are perfect with a crispy breading and golden crunch, topped with some freshly grated parmesan cheese. It’s the perfect hidden vegetable. But if the kids are still reluctant try these words, “Oh, I think you’ve tried this before and you really like it!”
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- Table of content: Air fryer eggplant bites
- Ingredients
- Step by step instructions
- Helpful tips
- Substitutions
- Jump to recipe
Ok, maybe tricking the kids into trying this dish isn’t the best parenting advise. But kids can be tough! My once great eaters are now tasting with their eyeballs and at the smallest inclination that it could be more vegetably than normal, they are becoming hesitant. So if you happen to have any other ideas on how to get them to try it, I’m all ears.
Air Fryer Eggplant Bites
Air fryer eggplant bites is the perfect introduction to eggplant in general. Although I have no problem trying new things, eggplant can be soggy and a bit of an odd texture if not cooked properly. It can leave a bad first impression and since we want our kids to choose veggies over junk in their future, we need to keep their taste buds in mind. Bring on crispy, seasoned eggplant dipped in a marinara “pizza” sauce!
- Why you’ll like this recipe
- Crispy and golden on the outside, soft inside
- Quick and easy for air fryer or toaster oven
- Perfect for a snack, appetizer, or side
- A healthier snack alternative
Ingredients
- 3 cups eggplant cut into bitesized pieces
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. garlic
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce for dipping
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning (optional- great to add if using plain breadcrumbs)
Step by Step Instructions
Prep the eggplant- Cut 3 cups eggplant into bitesized cubes. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels to prevent sogginess.
Breading station- Set up three separate bowls for the breading and egg mixtures. In bowl one- add ½ cup flour, in bowl two- beat 2 eggs, in bowl three- mix 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan, 1 tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp. Italian seasoning- if using plain breadcrumbs.
Coat the eggplant- First, in small batches, dredge the eggplant in the flour, shake off the excess. Then dip into the egg mixture. Finally role them in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Place on toaster oven tray or in air fryer, keeping sure not to overcrowd and cook in batches if needed.
Air fry- Preheat air fryer or toaster oven to 400℉. Lightly spray the basket or tray with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange eggplant bites in a single layer, keeping in mind to not overcrowd. Spray the tops lightly with oil. Air fry 8-10 minutes before flipping and allow to cook an additional 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy.
Serve and enjoy- Sprinkle with a bit of extra Parmesan cheese and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara, garlic butter, or Ranch dressing.
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Helpful Tips
- For extra crunch use panko breadcrumbs.
- To avoid soggy eggplant, salt and dry the cubes before coating.
- For an even crisp, flip halfway through cooking and do not overcrowd the basket.
Substitutions
Breadcrumbs are great but if you happen to be out, you can use crushed crackers such as Ritz. Switch out the marinara sauce for simple pizza sauce.
The kids could smell something cooking and were downstairs in no time at all ready for a snack. Thankfully this crispy snack was all plated up with a side of marinara sauce and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
There was some questioning about what it was and the slight parenting fib slipped out, “I think you tried this last year and you liked it!” And wouldn’t you know, they agreed!
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Eggplant Bites
Ingredients
- 3 cups eggplant, cut into bite sizes
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp. garlic
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning (if using plain breadcrumbs)
- 1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Cut 3 cups eggplant into bite sized cubes. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels to prevent sogginess.
- Set up three separate bowls for the breading and egg mixtures. In bowl one- add ½ cup flour, in bowl two- beat 2 eggs, in bowl three- mix 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan, 1 tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp. Italian seasoning-if using plain breadcrumbs.
- First, in small batches, dredge the eggplant in the flour, shake off the excess. Then dip into the egg mixture. Finally role them in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Place on toaster oven tray or in air fryer, keeping sure not to overcrowd and cook in batches if needed.
- Preheat air fryer or toaster oven to 400℉. Lightly spray the basket or tray with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange eggplant bites in a single layer, keeping in mind to not overcrowd. Spray the tops lightly with oil. Air fry 8-10 minutes before flipping and allow to cook an additional 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Sprinkle with a bit of extra Parmesan cheese and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara, garlic butter, or Ranch dressing.
Notes
Nutrition
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