Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This warm and cheesy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich is one of the BEST vegetarian sandwiches I’ve ever had! Crispy eggplant, flavorful pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese combine to make this wonderful, easy Meatless Monday lunch or dinner! 

This recipe and post were created as part of a paid partnership with RAGรšยฎ Pasta Sauces!

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

Whether youโ€™re making this sandwich for lunch or dinner, you wonโ€™t be disappointed. The thick, crispy slices of eggplant topped with warm mozzarella cheese and hearty RAGรšยฎ Old World Styleยฎ Traditional Sauce is simply too delicious to resist. Iโ€™m not a vegetarian, but believe me when I say that Iโ€™d reach for this sandwich before a chicken parm any day! 

I canโ€™t imagine using another pasta sauce thatโ€™s not RAGรš Sauce. Spooning this sauce onto an Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich is a quick and easy way to make the meal ten times more scrumptious! For more than 80 years, people have been using RAGรš Pasta Sauces to create delicious dishes their families love. After taking one bite of this sandwich, Iโ€™m sure youโ€™ll see why! 

A man is holding eggplant slices over his baby's eyes
A baby boy is laughing while holding two slices of eggplant

Helping Kids Fall In Love With Vegetable-Based Dishes

As you can see, my son Milo is now a big advocate for eggplant! This Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich recipe is so good, itโ€™s approved by all three of my kids. I never thought Iโ€™d be able to get them all to agree to a meal so centered around a vegetable, but when it is perfectly complemented with red pasta sauce, one of their favorites, they canโ€™t get enough!  

The combination of crispy eggplant, RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce and mozzarella cheese is a winner. We love RAGรš Pasta Sauces because they are a time-saver during busy weeknights, ensuring we always have a balanced and delectable dinner on the table for the kiddos. 

Cooking a simple meal with RAGรš Pasta Sauces is a great activity to engage kids and start teaching them basic kitchen skills. Having the kids help me with dinner really gets them excited to try what we made โ€” even if it is new or features veggies!  

These are crazy times weโ€™re living in, but Iโ€™m grateful for every minute my kids are at home, making me laugh and acting as my own personal culinary assistants! 

Two sandwiches are stacked on a wooden surface

How To Serve Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

When it comes to these delectable sandwiches, I usually serve them all by themselves with an extra bowl of RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Sauce on the side for dipping! 

If youโ€™re looking to add a side dish, I recommend a version of fries (think sweet potato, zucchini or traditional potato fries) or even a side salad. 

The ingredients for Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches are placed on a dark surface

Ingredients For Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

Youโ€™ll be happy to know that you might already have the majority of these simple ingredients in your pantry now. 

  • RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Sauce
  • Italianย Bread Crumbsย 
  • Pankoย Bread Crumbsย 
  • Parmesan Cheeseย 
  • Italian Seasoningย 
  • Saltย 
  • Garlic Powderย 
  • Black Pepperย 
  • Flourย 
  • Eggsย 
  • Eggplantย 
  • Olive Oil Sprayย 
  • Mozzarella Cheeseย 
  • Bunsย 
  • Fresh Basilย 

RAGรš Pasta Sauces

I recommend RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce because I love its classic flavor! RAGรš Old World Style Traditional is made with real ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped onions, garlic and olive oil, simmered together for the authentic, delicious taste youโ€™ll want to come back to again and again. 

RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce contains NO artificial colors and NO high-fructose corn syrup, so I feel great about including it in easy weeknight meals my whole family loves.

However, if you are having trouble finding this specific RAGรš sauce in todayโ€™s crazy groceryโ€“store world, any RAGรš Red Pasta Sauce can be used in itsย place for the same amazing flavor from California-grown tomatoes!

Eggplant slices are placed next to egg was and bread crumbs

How To Make Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

  1. On a plate, combine bothย types ofย bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powderย and black pepper. Place the flour on a separate plate, and the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl.
Eggplant slices are covered in bread crumbs

2. Dip each slice of eggplant (both sides) into the flour first, then into the beaten eggs and finally into the breadcrumb mixture last.

Place the coated eggplant slices on a plate and continue until all eggplant slices are coated. Then, spray the eggplant slices on each side with olive oil. 

Eggplant slices are cooked in an air fryer

3. Preheat the air fryer to 375ยฐF. Place the breaded eggplant rounds in the air fryer basket and make sure they are not touching. Working in batches is necessary for the following few steps.

4. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip each round. Cook until desired crispiness is achieved, about 4 minutes more.

A spoonful of Ragu marinara sauce is placed on top of an eggplant slice
Three slices of eggplant are covered in mozzarella cheese, while one just has marinara sauce on it

5. Leaving the slices on the air fryer basket, top each cooked eggplant slice with a spoonful of RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Sauce and 1 slice of mozzarella cheese. (This is usually where I let the kids help me! They love topping the slices with the sauce and cheese.)

6. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook until the cheese starts to melt. This should just take 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from air fryer basket, and repeat with remaining eggplant slices as necessary!

Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches sit next to a jar of RAGU

7. Stack 2 eggplant parmesan slices inside of each toasted bun. Top with fresh basil and extra warmed sauce as desired. Serve fresh!

A hand is holding an Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

I canโ€™t say enough good things about these amazing Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches. The crispy, juicy eggplant slices are air fried until perfectly crispy, then given extra layers of flavor through the RAGรš red sauce and mozzarella cheese. Nestled between toasted buns and fresh basil, itโ€™s hard not to devour this delectable Italian-inspired sandwich. 

What brings it all together? This fantastic sauce! RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce isโ€ฏtrulyโ€ฏsimmered inโ€ฏtradition. The age-oldโ€ฏRAGรš blend of farm-grown ingredients and flavorful herbs creates a classic,โ€ฏaromatic sauce that your family will love. Try it for dinner tonight! 

Looking for more delicious veggie-focused dishes featuring RAGรš?  Try my favorite Vegetable Ravioli Lasagna!

An Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich is placed on a wooden surface
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Recipe
Yield: 4 sandwiches or 8-10 sliders

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

This warm and cheesy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich is one of the BEST vegetarian sandwiches I've ever had! Crispy eggplant, flavorful pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese combine to make this wonderful, easy Meatless Monday lunch or dinner!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Additional Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • โ…“ cup Italian bread crumbs
  • ยผ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • ยผ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ยผ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 cup RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce, or more to taste
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese, or more/less as needed
  • Buns/Sliders, toasted
  • Fresh Basil, optional topping

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Instructions 

  • 1. On a plate, combine both types of bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and black pepper. Place the flour on a separate plate, and the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl.
    Sliced eggplant, breadcrumbs and egg wash in a bowl
  • 2. Dip each slice of eggplant (both sides) into the flour first, then into the beaten eggs and finally into the breadcrumb mixture last. Place the coated eggplant slices on a plate and continue until all eggplant slices are coated. Then, spray the eggplant slices on each side with olive oil.
    Breaded eggplant slices on a plate
  • 3. Preheat the air fryer to 375ยฐF. Place the breaded eggplant rounds in the air fryer basket and make sure they are not touching. Working in batches is necessary for the following few steps.
  • 4. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip each round. Cook until desired crispiness is achieved, about 4 minutes more.
    Golden-browned breaded eggplant slices in an air fryer
  • 5. Leaving the slices on the air fryer basket, top each cooked eggplant slice with a spoonful of RAGรš Old World Style Traditional Sauce and 1 slice of mozzarella cheese. (This is usually where I let the kids help me! They love topping the slices with the sauce and cheese.)
  • 6. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook until the cheese starts to melt. This should just take 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from air fryer basket, and repeat with remaining eggplant slices as necessary!
  • 7. Stack 2 eggplant parmesan slices inside of each toasted bun. Top with fresh basil and extra warmed sauce as desired. Serve fresh!

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 455kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 143mg, Sodium: 1216mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g

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Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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I made this tonight and it was great. We cooked the eggplant an extra minute on our air fryer and it was delicious.

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Jessica
For the past 15 years, Jorge & Jessica have loved getting to share their families' favorite recipes with all of you. They live in Florida with their 3 kids.