Salting eggplant before cooking may extract an enzyme that tends to give eggplant a bitter taste (there’s much debate on this), but more importantly it helps to draw moisture out of the eggplant leaving you with a more pleasant and less fibrous texture. Though it may seem alarming to sprinkle a lot of salt on the eggplant, rest assured that you brush most of the salt off the slices before cooking it, and your eggplant will be seasoned perfectly.
Eggplant Parmesan Panini
There are a few steps to making this Eggplant Parmesan Panini, but it’s worth it in the end. It takes all the flavors of the classic dish and puts it in a hearty Panini!
Jump to Recipe (or scroll for photos and riveting information...)Featured Recipe Techniques
More about the skills used in this recipe.
Air Frying 101
An introduction into Air Frying so that you can feel comfortable and confident making the recipes you find on my...View Technique
Air Fryer Cooking Charts
Complete list of air frying cooking times and temperatures are listed in this chart. All times and temperatures assume that...View Technique
Converting Recipes to the Air Fryer
Many recipes that use traditional methods can be converted to delicious air frying creations!View Technique
Eggplant Parmesan Panini
- Prep Time: 30 m
- Cook Time: 25 m
- Total Time: 55 m
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant about 1 pound, cut into ½-inch slices
- kosher salt
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 slices artisan Italian bread
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the eggplant by generously salting both sides of the eggplant slices and laying them flat between sheets of paper towel. Let the eggplant sit like this for 30 minutes while you prepare the rest of the recipe ingredients.
- Prepare a dredging station. Combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper in a shallow dish. Whisk the milk and mayonnaise together in a small bowl until smooth.
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 400ºF.
- Brush the excess salt from the eggplant slices and then coat both sides of each slice with the mayonnaise mixture. Dip the eggplant into the breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs onto the eggplant to coat both sides of each slice. Place all the coated eggplant slices on a plate or baking sheet and spray both sides with olive oil. Air-fry the eggplant slices in batches for 15 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Once all of the eggplant has been browned, assemble the Panini. Generously brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil. Place 2 slices of bread on a cutting board, oiled side down. Top each slice with a quarter of the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese. Divide the cooked eggplant between the two Panini, placing them on the cheese. Spoon the tomato sauce evenly over the eggplant and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle with the chopped fresh basil and place the second slices of bread on top, oiled side up.
- Place sandwiches onto a pre-heated contact grill or Panini press and close the lid, press down slightly to make sure bread will brown evenly. Grill for 10 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Alternately, grill the Panini in a grill pan with a weighted press on top and flip it over halfway through cooking.
- Return the finished Panini to a cutting board and let them rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Then, cut each Panini in half and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Eggplant Parmesan Panini
Amount Per Serving
Calories 883
Calories from Fat 522
% Daily Value*
Fat 58g89%
Saturated Fat 23g115%
Cholesterol 83mg28%
Sodium 2198mg92%
Potassium 1032mg29%
Carbohydrates 63g21%
Fiber 11g44%
Sugar 28g31%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 1060IU21%
Vitamin C 11.5mg14%
Calcium 577mg58%
Iron 4.2mg23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Please give “per serving* nutritional info –
Hi Ginny. That (sadly) is the nutritional info for one sandwich. The good news is that you don’t actually eat all the mayo and milk that is listed in the recipe – that is used to dredge the eggplant, but you definitely have residual that you get rid of in the end.
Do you slice the eggplant in round slices or lengthwise for long slices?
Hi Maria, Slice lengthwise for long slices.
Do you have a video for this and the casserole version?
Sorry, there is not a video for this recipe. To make an eggplant parmesan casserole, spread a little sauce in the bottom of a baking dish and add a single layer of eggplant slices. Top with sauce and then cheese. Repeat with 2 or 3 more layers. Bake at 350° for about 40 to 45 minutes.