Air Fryer Baba Ganoush Recipe

Baba ganoush is a delightful, wholesome appetizer, though it's possible that you've never even tried it. The dish, which is from Lebanese origin, is very similar to a classic hummus in both flavor and texture. What sets baba ganoush and hummus apart, however, is the addition of baked eggplant, which not only adds wonderful flavor, but it adds plenty of nutrients as well. Baba ganoush is incredibly versatile, so you can use it as a dip, spread, or dressing on foods such as vegetables, crackers, and bread.

Recipe developer and wellness coach Miriam Hahn has an authentic baba ganoush recipe that will keep your guests coming back for second and third helpings. The best part is using an air fryer to cook the eggplant in this recipe, making it all the more easy to whip up at home. "The flavor of the baba ganoush is savory with a little tangy flavor from the lemon," Hahn says of this recipe, adding, "Making it in the air fryer is super quick and nice, because you don't have to heat up your oven." If you love hummus, then you'll love the flavor of this baba ganoush, so keep reading to learn how to make it. 

Before you can make air fryer baba ganoush, you'll need to make sure that you have the right ingredients at the ready. The star of the show is eggplant, so you'll need one of those, along with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. To garnish the baba ganoush, you'll want some feta cheese, red pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon zest, although these toppings are all optional. Aside from the ingredients, you'll also need your trusty air fryer and a food processor to make the baba ganoush, and then you're ready to get started.

Now that you have your ingredients together, you can start with your eggplant. Give it a slice right down the middle, lengthwise, exposing the inner flesh. Sprinkle a little bit of salt on both halves of the eggplant, and then turn your attention to the air fryer. Set the air fryer temperature to 400 F, and place both halves of the eggplant in the basket, face up. Pop the basket into the air fryer, and set the timer for 20 minutes so your eggplant halves can cook. Once they're done cooking, allow them to cool off for 10 minutes before handling them.

After your air-fried eggplant has had time to cool off, go ahead and scoop out the insides of each half. Scoop the inside of the eggplant right into your food processor, and then add in salt, olive oil, tahini, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and lemon juice. Blend all of these ingredients until they're nice and smooth, as shown in the above picture. 

If your baba ganoush is a little too thick at first, you can add in a little more lemon juice or olive oil, and blend until you reach a desired consistency. You can also add a little more liquid if you'd prefer the baba ganoush to be more like a dressing than a dip. 

Once you're done blending the baba ganoush in the food processor, you can scoop it out right into a serving bowl. Optionally, top with feta cheese crumbles, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and lemon zest, and then you're ready to enjoy your homemade air fryer baba ganoush! "You can use this as a dip but it is also great to spread on naan bread and then topped with roasted vegetables," Hahn notes of this versatile recipe. "Or, [it can be] layered inside of a wrap with vegetables and fresh arugula and tomatoes. [There are] so many options with this recipe." 

Also, if you have any leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container for up to five days. Considering how wholesome, healthy, and delicious this baba ganoush is, however, don't be surprised if it doesn't last more than a day in your household! This is a perfect recipe to serve as an appetizer to guests, or to whip up and enjoy with happy hour cocktails. It's also just a healthy and delicious item to have handy in the fridge to enjoy as you wish.