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This is a vertical overhead image of a white plate on a white marble surface. On the plate is air fried eggplant pieces. The eggplant is a golden brown color and sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. To the top right corner of the image is a small glass mason jar with sesame seeds. A silver spoon is on the plate with a few eggplant pieces in it. Recipe
GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free

25 Minute Sweet & Sticky Air Fryer Eggplant

Air fryer eggplant is sweet, sticky, and so easy to make! You’ll love how caramelized and sweet the eggplant gets in the air fryer!

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
Prep: 5 minCook: 18 minTotal: 23 min
Servings: serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant, cut in chunks or cubes
  • 5 tablespoons agave nectar, divided (honey or maple syrup works too)
  • 4 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • sprinkle of white sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer (if it requires it) to 400F.
  2. Cut the eggplant into 2 inch pieces that are about 1/2 inch thick. I did a combo of triangles and rectangles. 
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a raw eggplant cut into cubes on a wood striped cutting board. The cutting board sits on a light marble surface. A sharp knife is to right right side of the image.
  3. Place the eggplant in a large bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons agave nectar and 3 tablespoons sesame oil.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of raw eggplant cubes in a glass bowl. The bowl sits on a light marble surface.
  4. Arrange the eggplant pieces in your air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t touching. Sprinkle with salt.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of triangles of raw eggplant spread out in an even layer on an air fryer try. The tray sits on a white marble surface. The eggplant pieces appear to have been sprayed with oil.
  5. Place the basket or tray into a preheated air fryer and air fry for 8 minutes.
  6. While the eggplant is air frying, whisk together the sauce with the remaining 2 tablespoons agave nectar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a small white bowl on a white counter. In the bowl is a soy mixture. A hand is coming in the image from the left side and holding a small whisk. The whisk is dipping into the sauce.
  7. After the 8 minutes, if you are using trays, switch the trays so the eggplant cooks evenly. Brush the eggplant with the sauce. Air fry for another 5 minutes.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of triangles of eggplant spread out in an even layer on an air fryer try. The tray sits on a white marble surface. A hand is coming in the right side of the image and holding a silicone pastry brush. The brush is applying a light brown sauce to the eggplant pieces.
  8. After the 5 minutes, use tongs to flip the eggplant and brush the other side with the sauce.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of triangles of raw eggplant spread out in an even layer on an air fryer try. The tray sits on a white marble surface. A hand is coming in from the right side of the image and holding tongs that are picking up a piece of the eggplant to be flipped.
  9. Air fry for another 3 – 5 minutes until caramelized and golden-medium brown.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of triangles of air fried eggplant spread out in an even layer on an air fryer try. The tray sits on a white marble surface.
  10. Transfer to a plate or bowl and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
    This is a horizontal overhead image of a white plate on a white marble surface. On the plate is air fried eggplant pieces. The eggplant is a golden brown color and sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. To the top right corner of the image is a small glass mason jar with sesame seeds.

Tips

Food photography by Dalya Rubin.

Nutrition Info:

  • Serving Size: 1/4 batch
  • Calories: 227
  • Sugar: 23.5g
  • Sodium: 560mg
  • Fat: 13.8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 4.1g
  • Protein: 1.6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
© The Toasted Pine Nut

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