Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza
These eggplant pizzas are made in the air fryer for a low carb way to satisfy your pizza craving! This is a tasty way to enjoy eggplant and you can customize these pizzas with your favorite toppings!
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer works like a convection style oven. It circulates hot air around a metal basket which creates a crispy outer layer. Not to get all scientific here but there is something called the Maillard reaction, which is the chemical reaction that gives food a browned or crispy crust. An air fryer makes that reaction happen. This method works particularly well for eggplant because there is a lot of moisture we need to remove from the eggplant to create a pizza base.
How to Pick an Eggplant
Whether you’re making these eggplant pizzas, crispy eggplant, or breaded eggplant, it’s important to start with good ingredients. look for an eggplant that feels firm and heavy for its size. Avoid eggplants that are too soft or have wrinkled skin, which may indicate age or decay. The skin should be smooth and shiny, without any blemishes or bruises. Also, check the stem end of the eggplant; it should be slightly green. Avoid eggplants with a brown or dried-out stem. When looking at the sizes, keep in mind that smaller eggplants tend to have a more tender texture and milder flavor.
How to Make Eggplant Pizza in an Air Fryer
The first step is to remove moisture from the eggplant. Slice into 1/2″ rounds, and place on a double layer of paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. Then use additional paper towels to blot moisture from the eggplant.
Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Cook until browned.
Top each slice with sauce and cheese and air fry until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
Feel free to add any additional toppings you like! I love a sprinkle of fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
Looking for more ways to use your air fryer? Use it to turn these eggplant pizzas into a full meal! You could pair them with air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks for even more cheesy flavor or serve them with air fryer broccoli for a tasty and healthy side dish!
Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Pizza
Description
These eggplant pizzas are made in the air fryer for a low carb way to satisfy your pizza craving! This is a tasty way to enjoy eggplant and you can customize these pizzas with your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2” thick rounds
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan, oregano, red pepper, salt, etc (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Place the sliced eggplant on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, then blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Place the eggplant in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the eggplant and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. You may need to do this in batches.
- Top each slice with pizza sauce and cheese.
- Continue to cook for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Top with basil and shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Looking for a tasty recipe to serve with your eggplant pizzas? Try this Italian chopped salad!
Can’t get enough healthy pizza? Try these zucchini pizza bites!
What’s your favorite pizza topping?
This post was originally published August 2013. Updated August 2020.
We are all huge eggplant fans and this recipe is fantastic!
That looks yum!
Those pizza’s look so yummy (as does everything else you make). I’ve been wanting to try paddleboarding for awhile, but am a bit nervous that I’ll just keep on falling off!
AHH I love this! My fave growing up was eggplant parm, and so this is like a healthier take on it. Looks like a fantastic time btw!
Yum. I’ve never been a fan of eggplant, but I can get behind any kind of food if it’s turned into pizza! Glad you had a good weekend!
yum!!
random question just out of plain curiosity…do the eggplant rounds stay soft or get a little crispy?
Sounds like a fun weekend! And those little pizzas look so good!
Never though to make eggplant crust pizza! Genius! I find that I’m loving all the different veggie crusts more than regular pizza crust these days. I think it’s the flavor and texture that comes from the veggies.
It’s such a great way to see enjoy “pizza” but still keep it healthy! I couldn’t believe how filling it was, especially when I realized how low calorie it was!
I have always wanted to try Yoga on a SUP. I used to paddleboard all the time (when I was able to for free) but I fell out of the habit of going down to the harbor 🙁 I’ve made a similar eggplant pizza too, love those little guys!
Paddle board yoga does look fun…i will have to try it sometime, I think it would be funny seeing others trying to get into warrior 3, as i am floating in the water after falling lol