Easy Miso Eggplant Recipe (Air Fryer)
This air fryer version of Nasu Dengaku is a game-changer! The umami-packed miso glaze combined with the soft eggplant flesh creates a truly delicious dish. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a savoury appetiser, this miso eggplant recipe will impress.
Why You’ll Love Our Miso Eggplant Recipe (Air Fryer version!)
Miso eggplant, or nasu dengaku, has long been a favourite Japanese side dish of mine, and I can’t resist ordering it whenever I visit a Japanese restaurant. The combination of umami-rich miso glaze and tender eggplant is simply unbeatable.
To simplify the process, I used my trusty air fryer this time—no pan frying and less oil needed. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, making the eggplant perfectly tender with a beautifully caramelised glaze.
Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a savoury appetiser, this miso eggplant will win over any crowd. Plus, the air fryer method makes it even simpler to prepare—perfect for busy evenings.
The Difference with Air Fryer vs Oven-Roasted Miso Eggplant
I tested both oven-roasted and air-fried methods for miso eggplant. In the oven, I halved and scored the eggplant (the classic way!) to allow the miso glaze to penetrate evenly. However, I found that smaller, strip-cut pieces cooked more evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
If you would like to try other side dishes in the air fryer, look out for our popular parsnip fries, roast potatoes with truffle salt and parmesan eggplant chips.
Recipe Overview
Flavour/Texture: The flavours are sweet and savoury. The air-frying process creates tender eggplant pieces with a chargrilled skin coated in a delicious miso glaze.
Ease: Simple to prepare with just a few basic ingredients, and the air fryer does most of the work.
Time: Ready in 20 minutes, including prep and cooking time.
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you need for air fryer miso eggplant:
Eggplant: Use medium globe eggplants or Japanese eggplants for a softer, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Neutral oil: This oil helps the eggplant get crisp in the air fryer and creates a paste for the miso glaze.
White miso: A fermented soybean paste, giving a sweet and savoury umami flavour. It is a great addition for creamy miso mayo dressing as well.
Mirin: A sweet Japanese rice wine that balances out the saltiness of the miso.
Sake (or water): Adds moisture to the glaze; sake gives an extra layer of flavour, but water works as a substitute.
Sugar: Balances the saltiness of the miso and enhances caramelisation.
Scallion: Adds freshness and a pop of colour as a garnish.
Toasted sesame seeds: Adds a nutty crunch to complement the miso glaze.
Variations and Substitutions
Eggplant: If you can’t find globe or Japanese eggplants, try baby eggplants for an even quicker cook time.
Miso: Substitute white miso with red miso for a deeper, more robust flavour.
Sake: Substitute with water if you don’t have sake.
Sweetener: Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a natural sweetness.
Spicy version: For a kick of heat, try our gochujang glazed eggplant recipe for a spicier glaze!
Instructions
Step by step instructions for how to make miso eggplant in air fryer:
In a small bowl, whisk together the miso, mirin, sake (or water), sugar, and 2 tbsp oil until smooth.
Slice the eggplants in half and then cut into thick strips, similar to fat chips. Mine were approximately 2cm (1 inch) thick and 7cm (3 inches) in length.
Toss cut eggplant into remaining oil.
Prep air fryer by preheating it and spray basket with oil if required.
Place eggplant in the basket on a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket. Make sure there is some space in between the eggplant pieces so that hot air can circulate.
Cook at 180°C or 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until the eggplant is soft and lightly browned.
Remove the eggplant from the air fryer, brush the miso glaze generously, and return to the air fryer for an additional 3-4 minutes to let the glaze caramelise.
Sprinkle with chopped green onion and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
How to Make This Side Dish Perfectly [Expert Tips]
Choose a smaller/younger eggplant: Larger eggplants can taste slightly bitter, so opt for younger, smaller varieties that are known for their milder flavour. Or try salting the eggplant before cooking to help draw out some of those bitter compounds.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket: if you have a smaller air fryer, cook the eggplant in batches to allow for even air circulation, ensuring they cook properly and become crispy.
Don’t skimp on the glaze: Apply a generous layer of the miso glaze to ensure maximum flavour.
Great Mains for This Side Dish
What to serve with miso eggplant? Try these delicious main dish recipes:
Japanese dishes all work incredibly well together. For this miso eggplant recipe, try pairing it with some tofu katsu don, if you’re not in the mood for meat.
For our pescatarian friends, a glorious chirashi sushi bowl never gets old or if you prefer try this easy okonomiyaki recipe.
This side dish also pairs well with our salmon sashimi salad, red snapper pomelo ceviche or sesame spinach salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can grill or roast the eggplant in the oven at 180°C or 350°F for similar results. Broil the eggplant after applying the glaze to get that caramelised finish.
Eggplant bitterness can be caused by solanine, which is more concentrated in the skin and seeds. Salting the eggplant before cooking can help reduce bitterness. Alternatively, select smaller eggplants that are less likely to be bitter.
You do not need to peel eggplant before cooking. The skin is edible.
Absolutely! Red miso will give the dish a bolder, more intense flavour, perfect if you like a stronger umami kick.
And there you have it—perfectly caramelised, sweet savoury, and tender air fryer miso eggplant! This quick method makes it easy to enjoy rich umami flavours with a satisfying texture in every bite. Serve it as a side dish or add it to a rice bowl for a simple, delicious cozy comforting meal.
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Easy Miso Eggplant Recipe (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp white miso
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp oil, divided
- 2 eggplants, medium (or several Japanese eggplants)
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 2 tsp white sesame seeds, toasted
Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the miso, mirin, sake, sugar, and oil until smooth.
- Slice the eggplants in half and then cut into thick strips, approximately 2cm (1 inch) thick and 7cm (3 inches) in length.
- Toss cut eggplant into 1 tbsp of oil.
- Prep air fryer by preheating if required and spray basket with oil.
- Place eggplant chips in the basket on a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- Cook at 180°C or 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until the eggplant is soft and lightly browned.
- Remove the eggplant from the air fryer, brush the miso glaze generously, and return to the air fryer for an additional 3-4 minutes to let the glaze caramelise.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onion and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Substitute white miso with red miso for a deeper, more robust flavour.
- Substitute sake with water if you don’t have it.
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a natural sweetness.
- Larger eggplants can taste slightly bitter, so opt for younger, smaller varieties that are known for their milder flavour. Or try salting the eggplant before cooking to help draw out some of those bitter compounds.
- If you have a smaller air fryer, cook the eggplant in batches to allow for even air circulation, ensuring they cook properly and become crispy.
- Apply a generous layer of the miso glaze to ensure maximum flavour.
Nutrition
*Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.
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