Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza

Eggplant pizza can be a delicious appetizer for your upcoming parties. And this air-fried eggplant pizza is just too good. This is a low-carb alternative to flour-based pizza as well.

Eggplant, like zucchini and tomatoes, is one of the healthiest vegetables and belongs to the Nightshade family. Eggplant is a seeded fruit we use as a vegetable. This is a low-carb vegetable, and it is best to substitute the high-carb flour when following a low-carb diet. This eggplant pizza is a perfect example of that.

Eggplant is not a much-loved vegetable, though. It has a bland taste, but at the same time, it nicely absorbs the flavors of the sauces or flavors we cook.

Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza

This is an easy eggplant recipe that takes only 15 minutes to prepare. Also, you need only a few ingredients to make this eggplant pizza. In an air fryer, this is much quicker and easier, too. Read my air fryer eggplant recipe here.

The air fryer cooks like a convection oven only. The high-speed fan keeps rotating the hot air while cooking the food. But this is much quicker than an oven. So cooking time is reduced distinctively. I loved my simple diced eggplant cubes cooked in an air fryer. And make them often for sides.

These eggplant pizza bites are delicious. I liked them. You can also bake them in an oven or prepare them on a grill or pan.

Ingredients -

Eggplant - This is the hero ingredient here. I have used medium-sized eggplants, and hence, I have sliced them. You can use large eggplants and cut them into discs.

Sauces - Marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or pasta sauce. If you are using any sauce that already has salt, rub less salt on the eggplant slices while prepping them.

Cheese - Add any cheese that melts nicely. My favorite is mozzarella. So, some shredded mozzarella is perfect.

Seasoning - Italian seasonings. Or take dried herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and chili flakes. Feel free to add any of your favorite toppings or herbs.

Instructions

Cut the eggplant into slices. Don't keep the slices too thick or too thin. After cutting, rub a little oil on the eggplant surfaces and let it rest for 3 - 5 minutes. This will help in removing the bitterness of the eggplant.

Then, dab and pat out the excess moisture with a napkin or paper towel. Now, place the slices in the air fryer basket. Spray a little oil on top.

Start the air fryer at 400 F (200 C) for 15 minutes. After around 9 minutes of cooking, flip the slices until they look cooked and brownish (at around 12 - 13 minutes).

Now pause the air fryer and take out the basket. Place 1 tsp of sauce on each slice and spread over the top. Add some shredded mozzarella or any cheese of your choice to them. Place the basket inside and start again. Cook for 2 minutes more or till the cheese melts only.

Extra Tips -

Every air fryer is different. Be attentive and check in between the doneness of the eggplants.

Don't cut the slices too thick or too thin. Thicker ones will take longer to cook or may stay uncooked. And very thin slices will get overcooked and turn crispy quickly.

Recap of the process - Slice and rub with salt, dab excess moisture, place in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 400F, make the first flip after 9 minutes, pause & remove basket at 13th minute or till cooked & brown, spread sauce, and cheese, add seasoning and cook for 2 minutes till cheese melts.

Is it necessary to salt the eggplants?

Yes, this will help release excess moisture from the spongy eggplant and reduce its bitterness. Take large and fresh eggplants that have fewer seeds and less bitterness. Also, don't add too much salt; it will make the pizza bites salty (since most of the sauces have salt).

Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza

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