Crispy Eggplant and Chickpea Stacks in the Air Fryer with Za’atar Yogurt Cream and Warm Tomato

Name: Crispy Eggplant and Chickpea Stacks in the Air Fryer with Za’atar Yogurt Cream and Warm Tomato
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 43 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mediterránea
Ingredients: about 1.5 lb large eggplant; 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas; 1/2 cup red onion; 2 cloves garlic; 1/4 cup fresh parsley; 3.5 oz feta cheese; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1 tsp ground cumin; 3/4 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp za’atar; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 1/4 cups cherry tomatoes; 1 tsp honey

An original savory stack recipe made with air-fried golden eggplant rounds and a flavorful spiced chickpea filling, finished with za’atar yogurt cream and a spoonful of warm herbed tomato. Crispy outside, creamy inside, and perfect as a light meal or vegetarian starter.

25 minPrep

18 minCook

43 minTotal

4Servings

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Adjust servings

2 approx. 700 g large eggplant (cut en 16 slices gruesas)
240 g cooked chickpeas (escurridos and dry)
80 g red onion (chopped muy fina)
2 cloves garlic (grated or chopped finos)
15 g fresh parsley (chopped)
100 g feta cheese (desmoronado)
50 g panko breadcrumbs (divided)
1 unit egg (beaten)
3 g ground cumin
2 g smoked paprika
4 g za’atar (divided)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
6 g salt (divided, or to taste)
2 g black pepper (or to taste)
180 g plain Greek yogurt
15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
180 g cherry tomatoes (cut en cuartos)
5 ml honey

Nutrition facts

per serving

320 kcal

Calories

12 g

Protein

28 g

Carbs

18 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

20 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

GlutenDairyEggs

Instructions

1
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F / 200°C for 3 minutes.
2
Place the eggplant rounds on a tray or board, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and let them rest for 10 minutes. Pat dry with kitchen towels.
3
Brush the eggplant rounds on both sides with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and season with a little black pepper.
4
Cook the eggplant in batches in the air fryer at 390°F / 200°C for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender. Set aside.
5
Meanwhile, mash the chickpeas in a bowl until coarse, keeping some texture.
6
Add the red onion, garlic, parsley, feta, 1/2 cup panko, beaten egg, cumin, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon za’atar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and some black pepper to the chickpeas. Mix well until a compact filling forms.
7
Divide the chickpea filling into 8 equal portions. Place one portion onto 8 eggplant rounds and press lightly. Top each with another round to form stacks.
8
Brush or drizzle the stacks with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F / 190°C for 7 to 8 minutes, until the filling is set and the outside is deeply golden.
9
In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the lemon juice and the remaining 1 teaspoon za’atar until smooth.
10
Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the cherry tomatoes, honey, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the tomatoes are warm and lightly juicy.
11
Serve two stacks per portion with a spoonful of za’atar yogurt cream and top with some warm tomatoes and their juices.

Chef tips

For a crispier exterior, add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the final stack cooking time and avoid overcrowding the basket. Drying the eggplant well helps it brown better.

Substitutions

You can swap the feta for soft goat cheese. Parsley can be replaced with mint or cilantro. If you do not have cherry tomatoes, use small diced Roma tomato and cook it briefly.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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