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Delicious Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Stacks: A Recipe from HamiltonBeach.com

If you’re searching for a way to indulge in Italian comfort food without the excessive calories, look no further than Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Stacks. This delightful dish combines the essential ingredients of traditional Eggplant Parmesan, showcasing layers of tender eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, all optimally cooked in an air fryer for a healthier twist. Here, we’ll guide you through the process of creating these scrumptious stacks, perfect for a family dinner or a show-stopping side dish.

Why Choose an Air Fryer?

The air fryer has revolutionised the way we cook, making it possible to achieve that crispy texture we all adore without the need for excessive oil. By circulating hot air around the food, air fryers can produce perfectly cooked meals that are healthier and just as delicious. With the Hamilton Beach Air Fryer, you’ll experience efficient cooking and consistent results, ensuring your Eggplant Parmesan Stacks turn out flawlessly every time.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1cm rounds
• Salt, for seasoning
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (you can use traditional or gluten-free)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
• Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Eggplant: Start by salting the eggplant slices. This step helps to draw out moisture and bitterness. Lay the slices on a clean kitchen towel, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 30 minutes. After that, rinse the slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

2. Bread the Slices: In a shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, oregano, and garlic powder. Dredge each eggplant slice in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down to ensure an even coating.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your Hamilton Beach Air Fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions (typically to around 200°C/400°F).

4. Air Fry the Eggplant: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil. Place the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. Air fry for approximately 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

5. Assemble the Stacks: Once your eggplant slices are cooked, it’s time to layer. Take a slice of eggplant, add a spoonful of marinara sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat this process to create a stack, finishing with a final slice of eggplant topped with more marinara and a generous layer of mozzarella.

6. Final Round of Cooking: Carefully place the assembled stacks back into the air fryer. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the stacks from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a minute. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Stacks are delightful on their own, but you can elevate the dish further by pairing it with a crisp side salad or some garlic bread. They also make for an excellent appetiser at gatherings or cosy family dinners.

Conclusion

Simplifying classic recipes while preserving their flavour is what makes air frying special, and these Eggplant Parmesan Stacks are a testament to that. With the Hamilton Beach Air Fryer, you can enjoy a healthier, yet equally satisfying take on this beloved dish. So why not try this recipe for your next meal? Your taste buds will thank you!