Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (Air Fryer Method)

Grab those chopsticks or a fork! You are going to want to dive right into these tender Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (蒜蓉茄子) or (Suàn róng qiézi) appetizers straight away. This copycat Asian recipe is inspired by the Michelin star Crystal Jade restaurant. Instead of being deep fried, we air fried (空气炸) or Kōngqì zhà the eggplant, to keep it healthier. Served restaurant style but super easy for the home chef and ready in less than 20-minutes.

Something magical happens when you roast eggplants (aubergines). Just like with our Chinese Eggplant with Spicy Pork and our Super Easy Grilled Asian Eggplant they become sweet and so tender, they melt in your mouth. Top that off with our spicy garlic sauce and you have one amazing crowd-pleasing appetizer or vegetable side dish.

Jump to:

• Healthier Restaurant Classic
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• Step By Step Easy Instructions
• Air Fryer Method: Cooking Alternatives
• How to Store
• Tips for Success
• Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
• More Eggplant Recipes…
• Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (Air Fryer Method)

Healthier Restaurant Classic

Have you ever been to a Crystal Jade restaurant in Asia? Currently, these restaurants are in Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Of course, you must try their signature xiao long bao dim sum but now you can make their Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce at home.

This is one very special recipe because it was re-engineered by our dear friend Lynn Li. Music in our video is by our talented friend Safie Chan.

We asked the chef, “How do you keep your eggplant bright purple during the cooking process?”  He responded that he quickly flash fry the eggplant and that keeps the purple color. You and I all know very well that even flash fried eggplant is just one big sponge. It soaks up all that oil and it is still very greasy.

Our re-engineered recipe is BIG on Flavor but LOW in oil as we made the roasted Chinese eggplant in the air fryer. The air fryer may not retain all their bright purple color like the deep fry method, but it is certainly delicious. Just like in our Banana Spring Rolls or our Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms recipe, air frying instead of deep frying reduces the calories and fat.  In addition, we made this recipe vegetarian using a gluten-free and vegetarian oyster sauce. As an added bonus, these little appetizers are low carb.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Asian Eggplant – Sometimes also called Japanese or Chinese Eggplant look a little different compared to their European counterparts. They are long, slender and have just a few seeds compared to a western or European round eggplant (aubergine). We prefer the Asian eggplant variety compared to a western eggplant as they are sweeter and have less seeds. Asian eggplant varieties are usually sold in Asian or Middle Eastern markets and are also delicious in our Grilled Harvest Wraps.

If you cannot find Asian eggplants, you can exchange with other types of Western eggplants. You may have to increase the air fryer time by a minute or two, due to their larger diameter.

Oyster Sauce – We used a gluten-free vegetarian version, but regular oyster sauce works lovely here too. Traditional Oyster sauce is made with oyster juices and flavoring to create this luxurious brown thick sauce.  The vegetarian oyster sauce is made using mushrooms to create this delicious umami experience. If you have any oyster sauce left over, be sure to try our Beef Noodles with Spicy XO Sauce and our Easy Pork Shiitake Mushroom Stir Fry recipes for some quick and easy week night meal ideas.

Sesame oil – is a delicious sesame flavored oil made from you guess it, sesame seeds. It is an essential Chinese ingredient we use in our Garlicky Sesame Stir Fried Green Beans, Hong Kong Fried Rice and many other Chinese Recipes. You can generally find this ingredient in the international food section of the regular grocery store or in an Asian market. If you cannot find sesame oil, just sprinkle on a little toasted sesame seeds upon serving.

Step By Step Easy Instructions

• Chop up green onions, garlic, and chili.
• To make the garlic sauce, add oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic and green onions to a small bowl and stir.

• Wash and slice the eggplant in 1-inch sections horizontally.
• Drizzle with oil or spray with oil.

• Air fry eggplant at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) for about 15 minutes or until pierces easily with knife.
• Place air fried eggplant on a serving dish.

• Drizzle each roasted eggplant slice with a little garlic sauce.
• Garnish with green onions and chili peppers as desired. Enjoy!

Air Fryer Method: Cooking Alternatives

Air Fryer Method - A Cosori Air fryer was used to cook our Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce appetizers. We placed the air fryer basket on the middle shelf and cleanup was a snap! So, in love with our new air fryer! We use it almost every day. As a matter of fact, we just made a batch of Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash in it. We have no idea how we lived without it. The multi-function air fryer is super easy to use, keeps the house cool and there is no messy clean up.

Oven Roasted Method - If you do not have an air fryer, you can roast the eggplant in the oven. Preheat your oven at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes. Flip over halfway through.

Deep Fry Method - On the other hand, if you want to deep fry eggplant, place enough oil in a small pot so that your eggplant slices can be submerged. Heat the oil until about 350 degrees F to 375 degrees F (176 degrees C to 190 degrees C). Carefully fry the eggplant for about 1 minute. Remove the crispy eggplant slices from oil and let drain on a towel. Then garnish with the garlic sauce.

How to Store

You can make this delicious little Chinese eggplant with garlic sauce appetizer up to 24 hours in advance.  Prepared air fryer eggplants Store in the refrigerator in a covered container for best results. Please eat within 3 days or toss.  At the Crystal Jade restaurant, they generally serve this roasted eggplant dish at room temperature or sometimes even slightly chilled.  

However, be good to your spleen qi and serve it up warm or at least room temperature. To learn more about why eating cold foods from the refrigerator are hard on your body, read our post Feed Your Spleen; Nourish Your Body.  

Do not store foods and sauces that contain raw chopped garlic for more than 3 days. Did you know that you can get botulism from raw chopped garlic if not stored at the proper pH, temperature and mixing solutions?

Tips for Success

• If you want to make this Chinese aubergine recipe spicy, add fresh finely chopped chilis to the garlic sauce or garnish with chili peppers. Alternatively, you can add a dash of dried red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• On the other hand, if you want to keep this recipe mild, hold all chili peppers.
• Choose Asian eggplants, sometimes called Chinese or Japanese eggplants, that are straight as possible without curves. This allows you to make more equal and level slices which in turn allows the eggplant to cook evenly.
• Cut your eggplants straight across horizontally about ¾ to 1 inch thick so that they cook evenly and lay flat in the serving bowl. Keeping them a little thicker makes them easier to pick up individually with chopsticks for a delicious 2 bite appetizer or delicious vegetable side dish.
• If using European eggplants, you will have to add more cooking time to this recipe, depending on the size and diameter.
• Eggplants start to oxidize and brown, immediately after being cut. Therefore, wait until you have the air fryer preheated before cutting. Alternatively, you can brush with a little white vinegar or lemon juice. However, we are not fond of the added flavor. In addition, it can make your eggplant slices soggy. No one wants soggy eggplant!
• Roasted Chinese eggplant is best served immediately to keep that delicious crispy edge. However, still delicious served within 24 hours of making it.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

More Eggplant Recipes…

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