Healthy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

No need to bread and fry the eggplant, because when smothered in sauce and melted cheese, there's no reason for the extra step-or the extra fat and calories. This dish combines excellent nutrition and cheesy goodness with a sneaky omega-3 crunch from walnuts.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 846 Calories

Ingredients

• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• nonstick cooking spray
• sea salt to taste
• ¼ cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 pinch dried oregano, or to taste
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• ¾ cup marinara sauce
• ¾ cup walnuts, crushed
• 1 large eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
• 8 ounces shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Combine crushed walnuts, bread crumbs, and basil in a bowl. Set aside.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Air-fry the rounds until eggplant is soft and golden brown. 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Air-fry until the cheese is hot and bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes.