Searching for an entire vegan air fryer dinner? This Air Fryer Eggplant Unagi Dinner combines candy and savory glazed Chinese language eggplant, charred bok choy, and protein-packed fried rice for a straightforward plant-based meal made virtually totally in a single air fryer basket. Good for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or anybody searching for artistic vegan air fryer recipes. Additionally see my Nashville Sizzling Tofu Dinner with Corn Ribs and Biscuits.

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I labored with Cosori to supply the video above however they haven’t sponsored this weblog put up.

Should you assume air fryers are just for reheating leftovers or making crispy snacks, this Air Fryer Eggplant Unagi Dinner is right here to show in any other case. This entire plant-based meal options silky Japanese-inspired glazed eggplant, charred bok choy, and protein-packed fried rice; all cooked in a single air fryer basket.

The result’s a restaurant-worthy vegan dinner with candy and savory flavors, greens, satisfying protein, and surprisingly little cleanup.

Observe about Air Fryers

I designed this recipe for the Cosori TurboBlaze (affiliate hyperlink) which cooks sooner than most different air fryers. So if in case you have a unique mannequin, be ready to tack on a number of additional minutes to every air frying step.

I actually love that it has variable fan speeds so it might probably reheat the frozen rice with out drying out earlier than ramping it as much as crisp simply the correct quantity for fried rice. Plus the BROIL mode is superior for getting that caramelized layer on the Eggplant Unagi. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe was designed to point out simply how versatile an air fryer could be. As a substitute of cooking separate parts on the stovetop, the whole lot is ready in phases utilizing the identical basket.

The eggplant turns into extremely comfortable and luscious, virtually buttery in texture. The selfmade unagi-inspired glaze caramelizes superbly beneath the broiler setting, creating that signature sweet-and-savory end typically discovered on grilled eel dishes.

In the meantime, the fried rice combines jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, greens, and grated tofu for additional protein, whereas the bok choy develops flippantly charred edges and tender stems.

What’s Eggplant Unagi?

Conventional unagi is freshwater eel glazed with a candy soy-based sauce. Whereas this recipe doesn’t try to duplicate the flavour of eel itself, roasted Chinese language eggplant has a silky texture that pairs superbly with an identical fashion of glaze.

The mix of soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and mushroom seasoning creates a wealthy umami-packed sauce that transforms humble eggplant into the star of the meal.

Why Chinese language Eggplant Works Greatest

Chinese language eggplants are lengthy and slender, making them preferrred for air fryer cooking. Their thinner form permits them to melt rapidly whereas sustaining a lovely presentation.

Search for an eggplant with clean, shiny pores and skin and a comparatively uniform width from finish to finish. An eggplant round 11 inches lengthy suits comfortably in a 9″ by 9″ air fryer basket.

Don’t skip poking a number of holes earlier than cooking. As amusing because it sounds, eggplants can construct up steam strain whereas roasting, and some knife tip or fork holes forestall any sudden eruptions.

The Secret to Protein-Packed Fried Rice

Many vegetable-based fried rice recipes can really feel extra like a aspect dish than an entire meal.

Grating extra-firm tofu immediately into the rice solves that drawback. Because it cooks, the tofu blends into the rice and absorbs all the encircling flavors. Most individuals received’t even discover it’s there, nevertheless it considerably boosts the protein content material and makes the meal far more satisfying.

Utilizing half cauliflower rice additionally lightens the dish whereas including additional greens with out sacrificing texture.

Suggestions for the Greatest Outcomes

• Enable the eggplant to chill barely earlier than slicing and glazing. Will probably be a lot simpler to deal with.
• Prepare the bok choy with the leafy ends going through inward. The leaves cook dinner extra rapidly than the stems so this prevents crispy leaves turning into burnt ones.
• Reserve some glaze for the ultimate broiling step. The second layer creates a superbly sticky, caramelized end.
• In case your air fryer doesn’t have a broil operate, merely proceed air frying on the highest temperature accessible till the glaze darkens and bubbles.

Make It Your Personal

This recipe is straightforward to customise relying on what you’ve accessible.

• Use all jasmine rice as a substitute of half cauliflower rice.
• Use all cauliflower rice for a lighter meal.
• Substitute edamame for the peas.
• Add mushrooms, diced carrots, or bell peppers to the fried rice.
• Enhance the bok choy when you’d like extra greens.

A Full Meal from One Air Fryer

Certainly one of my favourite issues about this recipe is that it feels far more elaborate than it really is. Between the shiny glazed eggplant, crispy-edged bok choy, and savory fried rice, it seems like one thing that will require a number of pans and significantly extra effort.

As a substitute, the whole lot comes collectively in a single air fryer basket with minimal cleanup and most taste. Should you’re searching for a satisfying vegan dinner that showcases simply how a lot an air fryer can do, this Eggplant Unagi Dinner deserves a spot in your menu.