I was testing out our Ninja Foodi and decided that the best way was to make Eggplant Parmesan using the Airfryer option of the Ninja Foodi. Well, it takes some trial and error when you are using a new kitchen appliance, but I got it nailed down and I know, you are going to love my latest recipe.
Eggplant Parmesan
BLUE PLAN: Zero Points per slice
GREEN PLAN: 1 point
PURPLE PLAN: Zero Points
Traditionally Eggplant Parmesan is fried so that it is crispy on the outside and tender inside. I love the texture and crispness, but I wanted it to be fewer points. I refuse to give up the flavors of my favorite dishes, but I still want to lose weight. Weight Watchers is a great way to do that. Weight Watchers is a lifestyle change, not a diet which is why it works so well. In this recipe, I have all but removed the oil that is required for traditional frying. I still use a bit crisp up the eggplant slices.
Ninja Foodi or Airfryer Eggplant Parmesan
I love using my Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi to make crispy and tender eggplant parmesan. This recipe is simple, with very few steps from start to finish. Then you have that restaurant quality eggplant parmesan to serve up your family and friends. I love being able to throw together this Eggplant Parmesan in just a few minutes using my Ninja Foodi. If you don't have a Foodi, any air fryer will work, and you will still have amazing Eggplant Parmesan.
By air frying, I was able to cut out as much as 80% of the fat. My recipe is quick, easy, and gives you those classic eggplant parmesan flavors without all the fuss.
So give my eggplant parmesan a try today in your Ninja Foodi. You will be glad you did. I am sure of it.
Easy Eggplant Parmesan
I use my own homemade zero point marinara sauce, but if you are making this on a weeknight and want to speed up the meal a bit, use your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce or store-bought marinara as long as you count the points as most have a bit of added sugar.
A Few of SmileysPoints Best Recipes
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Chicken Picatta
Pro-Tip
Make sure to use a spatula and not tongs to remove your eggplant once it's done. I tried it with the tongs and got burned on the lid to the Ninja Foodi. Ouch. Learn from my mistake and use a spatula, plus it's easier to get them out with a spatula 🙂 Working on that learning curve:) Bonus tip: Sprinkle a little salt on your eggplant slices and let them rest for 5 minutes or so. they will start to “sweat” The salt draws the water out of the eggplant and makes the flesh a little denser. This keeps that wonderful soft texture inside while the outside crisps. Perfect Eggplant Parmesan every time. Enjoy this wonderful meal and let me know in the comments how it turns out for you.
I used a medium eggplant and got 10 slices from it. About 1/2 inch thick slices.
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Air Fryer Or Ninja Foodi Eggplant Parmesan
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Airfryer Eggplant Parmesan made in the Ninja Foodi, or Airfryer
Ingredients
1 medium eggplant
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 cup H-E-B fat-free part skim mozzarella cheese
2 cups of zero point marinara sauce
Olive Oil Spray
Low-Fat Parmesan Cheese approx. 5 tablespoons
Instructions
Preheat your Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer for 3- 5 minutes. Spray your crisper basket with Olive Oil Spray.
Peel and slice the eggplant into 1/4″ slices.
Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish
In a small bowl, scramble the egg.
Gently dip the eggplant slices into the egg mixture. Then dip into the breadcrumbs and coat both sides.
You can use your fingers to press the breadcrumbs down, so they stick better.
Place eggplant in a single layer into your basket. Spray the tops of the slices with olive oil spray. Close the crisping lid. Select AIR CRISP, set temp to 400 degrees, set the time to 12 minutes.
After 8 minutes, flip your eggplant slices and spray the tops with olive oil. (Be careful when flipping not to touch the edges of your crisper basket, it will be HOT)
Spray the tops of your eggplant and cook the remaining 4 minutes.
Spoon a tablespoon of spaghetti sauce over the top of your eggplant and spread to cover.
Lay a slice of low-fat mozzarella cheese on top.
Sprinkle with low fat parmesan cheese (about 1/2 a tablespoon per slice)
Close the crisping lid. Select BROIL
Press Start Broil (2-4 min) until your mozzarella cheese looks melted.
Serve over zoodles with a little extra sauce.
The nutrition facts are per slice of eggplant 🙂
How can all the slices of eggplant possibly all fit in the crisper basket? I can see air frying the breaded eggplant in batches and then layering them with sauce and cheese and baking in a conventional oven. But unless you are making a small serving of the eggplant parm, you really can’t make this entire dish at one time in the Foodi.
Agreed I put 6 slices in at a time and they came out great. I did cook them in batches 🙂
I made this recipe for dinner last night and all I can say is WOW!!!!!! They were sooooooooooooooo good. I will definitely be making this recipe again. The instructions were easy to follow and they came out great. My only complaint was that it took me 4 batches to make 12 eggplant slices. I was cooking for about an hour, but I cleaned, prepped, and ate in between batches so it was not too bad.
★★★★★
I want to try this recipe, but have a question. Let me say upfront, I am not a cook so this question may have an obvious answer to those who do cook. When you talk about olive oil spray, are you talking about a spray like Pam? Or are you talking about putting oil into some kind of spray bottle? Thanks.
Spray like Pam. I buy the olive oil pan spray at Walmart. I hope this helps 🙂
I do not have an air fryer. I’m going to try the oven.
please let me know how it comes out. It should be delicious. 🙂
Why wouldn’t you look up a regular oven eggplant Parmesan recipe instead of this one? 🤦🏻♀️
How can you only use 1/4c. of breadcrumbs for 10 slices, they would hardly be coated at all? Obviously you would have to count points if using more, and I can’t see how you wouldn’t have to use more. Did anyone make it with 10 slices and only the 1/4c of crumbs????
I made this recipe. My Aunt created it. I made it myWW friendly. The eggplant slices are lightly coated enough to make them crunchy. I did use slightly more than the 1/4c in the recipe. I used less than 1/8c more crumbs it was a minimal amount extra. If you make the recipe and find you need more breadcrumbs add them calculate the points and enjoy your meal. I hope my recipes help give you ideas of what you can do in your own kitchen. Thank you so much for your feedback and comment I truly appreciate my readers and followers. Let me know if you make this recipe and the amount of breadcrumbs you use. I will include your specific amount and give you credit in the recipe.