Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza: A Healthy and Delicious Treat
Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza Recipe | Perfect for Diet Meals and Kids’ Snacks
Hello everyone! I made this recipe using up a lot of eggplants I had at home! It’s much healthier than regular pizza, and I think even kids who don’t usually like eggplant will enjoy it without any complaints! It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
Ingredients
- 1 large, plump eggplant
- 1 shiitake mushroom (optional, can be omitted)
- 1/4 small onion
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
- A small amount of sausage or Spam (approx. 30-40g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 block firm tofu (approx. 75g)
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (to taste)
- 2 Tbsp spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely mince all the ingredients for the filling, similar to how you’d prepare vegetables for fried rice! This ensures they cook evenly and provide a pleasant texture.
Step 2
Dice the filling ingredients very finely! I used Spam instead of sausage, but feel free to use other types of ham or omit the meat entirely if you’re focusing on a healthier version. The goal here is a wholesome pizza!
Step 3
Select a large, firm, and plump eggplant. Wash it thoroughly and then cut it in half lengthwise. This will serve as your pizza base.
Step 4
Now, create a space for the filling. Make shallow cuts along the edges of the eggplant halves, being careful not to cut through. Then, gently scoop out the flesh with a spoon, leaving a border of about 1/4 inch. Don’t scoop too deep, or the eggplant might tear when you add the filling. Chop the scooped-out eggplant flesh finely; it will be added to the filling mixture.
Step 5
Crumble about 1/4 block of firm tofu. This will add a nice creamy texture to the filling when sautéed with the other ingredients.
Step 6
Heat your pan over medium heat. Add the coconut oil (or olive oil) and let the butter melt. Once the butter has melted and the oil is warm, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This infuses the oil with a delicious garlic aroma.
Step 7
Add the finely chopped eggplant flesh you scooped out earlier, along with the minced onion, shiitake mushroom, and Spam (or sausage) to the pan. Sauté everything together for about 1-2 minutes, just until the vegetables are slightly softened. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the vegetables mushy.
Step 8
Pour in the spaghetti sauce (or tomato sauce) and stir well to combine everything. Continue to cook for another minute, allowing the sauce to coat the ingredients evenly.
Step 9
Carefully spoon the prepared filling mixture into the hollowed-out eggplant halves. Once filled, generously sprinkle your chosen cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) over the top. The cheese will melt and create a delicious topping.
Step 10
Place the filled eggplant halves into your air fryer basket. Cook at 160°C (320°F) for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the eggplant is tender. Enjoy your homemade healthy eggplant pizza!
