Air fryer baingan bharta is a roasted eggplant dip made with different spices. A popular low-fat, vegan, and gluten-free Indian dish. Baingan bharta recipe is traditionally made by roasting the eggplants in the fire to give that authentic smokey flavor. But it needs a lot of patients and time for that, so roasting the eggplants in an air fryer has made it a lot easier.
Tried making air fryer baingan bharta for the first time, and it was a success. However, I have never tried making the baingan bharta recipe either way. I was introduced to this recipe by my boyfriend. He was in India for several years for his higher studies, where he got the privilege to taste all these Indian recipes. So, I had to try making some of his favorite Indian recipes. And thought to share with you as well. The Baingan bharta recipe goes well with plain white rice and lentil soup and chapatis.
Air fryer eggplant bharta is a healthy and delicious dish made from eggplants and spices. If you love eggplants recipe you should definitely try the air fryer eggplant recipe.
What is Baingan Bharta?
Baingan bharta (mashed eggplant) is a popular Indian dish traditionally made by roasting the eggplants on fire (for smokey flavor). Later stir-fried by adding all the aromatic spices to finish. Baingan bharta has a very similar texture to baba ganoush. Baingan bharta is served as a side dish to rice, roti, or paratha.
Now, we can save a lot of time and energy by making this dish in an air fryer. And fewer chances of burning your fingers in a fire while preparing your favorite dish.
How to make the best air fryer baingan bharta?
Using an air fryer is the best and the easiest way of making this recipe. The best part of making air fryer baingan bharta is you don’t have to stand in front of the fire to roast the eggplant. Plus it’s super easy to get the roasted effect on the eggplants in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients for air fryer baingan bharta:
- 2 eggplants (medium)
- 1 red onion (medium)
- 2 tomatoes
- 2-3 green chilis
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon ginger, garlic paste
- 3 tablespoons oil (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri Red Chili Powder)
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Coriander leaves (chopped)
Instructions for air fryer baingan bharta:
- Preheat your air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
- Thoroughly clean the eggplants with clean water and make 3-4 slits in each eggplant. Insert the garlic cloves into each slit and brush them with the oil. The remaining oil on the brush can be used for the tomatoes as well.
- Put the eggplants in the air fryer basket and roast them at 200C/400F for 20 minutes. Flip them with the help of a tong halfway through the cooking process.
- When there are last 5 minutes remaining add the tomatoes and chilis and roast them together.
Remove the roasted eggplants from the air fryer basket and let them cool down. - Now take a pan heat it on medium heat and add the oil. Put in asafoetida and cumin seeds and let them burst. Then add the chopped onions and fry until the onions are translucent and golden on the edges.
- At this moment add the ginger, and garlic paste and saute until fragment. Might take about a minute or two.
- Meanwhile, peel the eggplants and tomato skin.
- After that mash them with the help of a fork. You don’t have to make a fine paste, because it will get mashed while cooking them later. Set them aside.
- Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Cook for a few minutes until fragment. You can also add 3-4 tablespoons of water at this stage to avoid burning the spices. Let the water completely vaporize.
- Now add the mashed eggplants, tomatoes, chili, and salt to the pan. Stair them well and cover the pan with its lead. Cook them for 4-5 minutes until the oil shows on the top. This is when you know the baingan bharta is fully cooked.
- Lastly, add some chopped fresh green coriander leaves stair them for one last time on the pan.
- Remove the baingan bharta garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve.
You can find the air fryer baingan bharta recipe in the printable card below.
12+ Air Fryer Indian Recipes to Tantalize your taste buds
Flavor variation for air fryer baingan bharta:
The sky is the limit, you can always add any spices that help to enhance the flavor of Bharata. Some of the flavor ideas that I love while making air fryer baingan bharta are:
- Mustard oil adds a booming flavor to your air fryer baingan bharta is similar to the Dhaba style.
- Roast garlic, chilis, and tomatoes for a smoky flavor in the baingan bharta recipe.
- Green peas add a good texture, color, and taste to your air fryer baingan bharta.
Pro Tips for making the best air fryer baingan bharta:
- Make some slits on the eggplant so that they cook evenly.
- Apply oil on the skin of eggplants before roasting in the air fryer. Oil will help to evenly crisp up the eggplants.
- The well-roasted eggplants will give that smokey flavor to your baingan bharta recipe.
- Add the tomatoes when 5 minutes of the remaining time is left to avoid burning.
- Let the eggplants and tomatoes cool down completely before you peel them off to avoid burning yourself.
Other Indian recipes you’ll love:
Serving ideas for air fryer baingan bharta:
Air fryer baingan bharta is delicious when served with roti, rice, and naan bread. However, you can always serve according to your liking.
How to store baingan bharta?
Air fryer baingan bharta is best when served hot. If there are some leftovers then store them in an airtight container. Place them in the refrigerator and they are good for 2-3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer before serving and enjoy your baingan bharta for the next day.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions:
Which eggplants are best to make baingan bharta?
While choosing eggplants you should look for shiny, heavy eggplants with stalk green stalks and no bruises. And make sure not to choose the older eggplants because they are bitter in taste.
Why was my baingan bharta bitter?
You should always be careful while choosing the eggplants for the baingan bharta recipe. Because if you choose the older eggplants that have many mature seeds which can cause bitterness to the dish.
Is baingan bharta healthy?
Yes, air fryer baingan bharta is very healthy. Baingan bharta is gluten-free and a good source of fiber.
How do I know if my eggplants are roasted on the inside?
Once you have roasted the eggplants, you can say it’s done when they are soft as baked potatoes when touched.
Another way of finding is by inserting a fork or a knife into the eggplants. The skin will easily get punctured and they are soft.
Can you roast brinjal in Airfryer?
Yes, it’s super easy to roast brinjal (eggplant) in the air fryer. Make some slits on the eggplants, brush a thin layer of oil and transfer it to the air fryer basket. Cook at 200C/400F for 20 minutes and your brinjal is perfectly roasted for the air fryer baingan bharta.
Can you freeze baingan bharta?
Yes, you can place the baingan bharta in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freeze. They are good for a month.
Thaw the baingan bharta overnight in the refrigerator, reheat them, and enjoy your air fryer baingan bharta.
Equipment:
Air fryer
Course: Side dish, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Asian
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition Facts:
Calories- 103kcal | Total Fat- 3g | Protein- 3g | Carbohydrates- 14 mg | Sodium- 33mg | Fiber- 6g | Sugar- 6g | Potassium- 610mg | Vitamin A- 1502IU | Vitamin C- 21mg | Iron- 3mg | Calcium- 53mg |
If you like the air fryer baingan bharta recipe, look what else you can air fry:
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below.
You can also check our Youtube video for making delicious baingan bharta in air fryer.
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Healthy & Easy Air Fryer Baingan Bharta - TopAirFryerRecipes
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants (medium)
- 1 red onion (medium)
- 2 tomatoes
- 2-3 green chilis
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon ginger, garlic paste
- 3 tablespoons oil (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri Red Chili Powder)
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Coriander leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
- Thoroughly clean the eggplants with clean water and make 3-4 slits in each eggplant. Insert the garlic cloves into each slit and brush them with the oil. The remaining oil on the brush can be used for the tomatoes as well.
- Put the eggplants in the air fryer basket and roast them at 200C/400F for 20 minutes. Flip them with the help of a tong halfway through the cooking process.
- When there are last 5 minutes remaining add the tomatoes and chilis and roast them together.Remove the roasted eggplants from the air fryer basket and let them cool down.
- Now take a pan heat it on medium heat and add the oil. Put in asafoetida and cumin seeds and let them burst. Then add the chopped onions and fry until the onions are translucent and golden on the edges.
- At this moment add the ginger, and garlic paste and saute until fragment. Might take about a minute or two.
- Meanwhile, peel the eggplants and tomato skin.
- After that mash them with the help of a fork. You don't have to make a fine paste, because it will get mashed while cooking them later. Set them aside.
- Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Cook for a few minutes until fragment. You can also add 3-4 tablespoons of water at this stage to avoid burning the spices. Let the water completely vaporize.
- Now add the mashed eggplants, tomatoes, chili, and salt to the pan. Stair them well and cover the pan with its lead. Cook them for 4-5 minutes until the oil shows on the top. This is when you know the baingan bharta is fully cooked.
- Lastly, add some chopped fresh green coriander leaves stair them for one last time on the pan.
- Remove the baingan bharta garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve.
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