Air Fryer Eggplant Hash sautés spring onions and cubed eggplant in butter and olive oil, then bakes them under whisked eggs, lime juice, and a lid of melted mozzarella. Ten minutes in the air fryer sets the eggs and turns the cheese golden and bubbly. It's a savory one-pan meal in 20 minutes at 20 g of protein per serving.
Let’s be real—making vegetables feel like a treat can be a challenge. But this Air Fryer Eggplant Hash is a game-changer! If you’re looking to break free from your breakfast rut, this vibrant, low-carb dish is your answer. Imagine tender eggplant, gooey melted mozzarella, and a bright kick of fresh lime, all coming together in just 15 minutes. It’s savory, satisfying, and so ridiculously easy to make. Even if you think you’re not an eggplant fan, this cheesy, flavor-packed hash is here to win you over!
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp / 28 g (0.99 oz) olive oil
• 2 medium eggplants, approx. 24 oz / 680 g, roughly cubed
• 8 oz / 227 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 spring onions, approx. 1.5 oz / 45 g, chopped
• 2 tbsp / 30 ml lime juice, from approx. 1 lime
• 2 tbsp / 28 g (0.99 oz) butter, melted
• 4 large eggs, approx. 8 oz / 225 g, whisked
Instructions
1. In an air-fryer-safe pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and melted butter. Add the spring onions and cubed eggplant, stirring to coat. Sauté for 5 minutes until the eggplant begins to soften.
2. Pour the whisked eggs and lime juice into the pan, stirring until everything is well combined.
3. Top the mixture evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Carefully place the pan into the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry at 380°F / 193°C for 10 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Total Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 215 mg
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 11 g (0.39 oz)
• Dietary Fiber: 4 g
• Sugars: 5 g
• Protein: 20 g
Pro Tips
• For even cooking, dice your eggplant into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. This helps them soften perfectly without turning to mush.
• To reduce bitterness, toss the eggplant cubes with salt and let them sit in a colander for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry before cooking.
• Grate your own mozzarella! Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth, creamy melt. A fresh block makes all the difference.
• Use a small, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) that can go from stovetop to air fryer. If your air fryer pan isn’t stovetop-safe, sauté the veggies first, then transfer to the air fryer pan to finish.
FAQ
Q: Is this Air Fryer Eggplant Hash keto-friendly
A: Yes, with only 11g (0.39 oz) of total carbohydrates and 4g (0.14 oz) of dietary fiber per serving, this eggplant hash is a fantastic low-carb and keto-friendly breakfast option.
Q: How do I stop my eggplant from being bitter
A: To reduce bitterness, toss your cubed eggplant with salt and let it sit in a colander for 10-15 minutes. Be sure to rinse the salt off and pat the eggplant dry before cooking.
Q: What kind of pan do I need for this recipe
A: Use a small, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) that can go from the stovetop to the air fryer. If your air fryer pan isn’t stovetop-safe, sauté the veggies first, then transfer everything to the air fryer pan to finish.
Q: Can I use pre-shredded cheese for this eggplant hash
A: For the best results, it’s recommended to grate your own mozzarella from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting into a smooth, gooey layer.
Pro Tips
- Dice your eggplant into uniform 1/2-inch cubes — this helps them soften perfectly without turning to mush.
- To reduce bitterness, toss the eggplant cubes with salt and let them sit in a colander for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry before cooking.
- Use a small, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) that can go from stovetop to air fryer so the hash cooks in one pan from start to finish.
- Grate your own mozzarella: pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth, creamy melt. A fresh block makes all the difference.
- Sauté the eggplant and spring onions for 5 minutes before pouring in the eggs and lime juice, then air fry at 380°F / 193°C until the eggs are set and the cheese is golden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take the bitterness out of eggplant?
Toss the cubed eggplant with salt and let it sit in a colander for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and pat it dry before it goes into the pan.
Can I cook the whole hash in one pan?
Yes — use a small oven-safe skillet such as cast iron that works on the stovetop and in the air fryer. If your air fryer pan isn't stovetop-safe, sauté in a separate skillet first.
Is Air Fryer Eggplant Hash keto-friendly?
Each of the 4 servings has about 11 g of carbs (4 g of that fiber) with 20 g of protein and 29 g of fat. The base is eggplant, eggs, and cheese with no flour.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate the cooked hash for 3-4 days and rewarm portions gently so the eggs stay tender and the mozzarella melts smoothly again.
Recipe card below.
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Air Fryer Eggplant Hash
Ingredients
Method
- In an air-fryer-safe pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and melted butter.
- Add the spring onions and cubed eggplant, stirring to coat.
- Sauté for 5 minutes until the eggplant begins to soften.
- Pour the whisked eggs and lime juice into the pan, stirring until everything is well combined.
- Top the mixture evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Carefully place the pan into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 380°F / 193°C for 10 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
- Grate your own mozzarella! Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth, creamy melt. A fresh block makes all the difference.
