Air Fryer + Eggplant + Ground Meat = Japanese Hidden Gem!
Hello everyone!
Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that’s both delicious and healthy: Japanese Stuffed Eggplant, or “Nasu no Hasamiage,” made easy with an air fryer! This dish features juicy ground meat sandwiched between tender eggplant slices, all coated in a savory-sweet miso glaze. Using an air fryer cuts down on the oil without sacrificing that satisfying crispy texture.
Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Eggplant: 80g (2.8 oz)
All-purpose flour (for dusting): 2 tsp
For the Filling:
Ground beef or pork: 60g (2.1 oz)
Finely chopped green onion: 30g (1.1 oz) – use 20g for the filling and reserve 10g for garnish
★ Ginger paste: 1/2 tsp
★ Garlic paste: 1/2 tsp
★ Sake: 1 tsp
★ Soy sauce: 1 tsp
★ Sesame oil: 1 tsp
★ Oyster sauce: 1/2 tsp
★ Salt: 1 pinch
For the Batter:
☆ All-purpose flour: 1 tbsp
☆ Oil (any kind): 2 tsp
☆ Water: 2 tbsp (1/8 cup)
For the Miso Glaze:
◇ Miso paste: 1 tbsp
◇ Mirin (sweet rice wine): 1 tbsp
◇ Sugar: 2 tsp
Instructions
Prep the Eggplant and Filling: Slice the eggplant into 1 cm (about 0.4 inch) thick rounds. Place the slices in a plastic bag with 2 teaspoons of flour and shake well to coat them lightly. In a separate bowl, combine the ground meat, 20g of the chopped green onions, and all the “★” ingredients. Mix and knead with your hands until the mixture becomes sticky.
Assemble the Eggplant Sandwiches: Pair up the eggplant slices. Take about a teaspoon of the meat filling and place it on one eggplant slice, then cover it with the other slice, pressing gently to create a “sandwich.”
Coat with Batter: In a small bowl, whisk together all the “☆” ingredients (1 tbsp flour, 2 tsp oil, and 2 tbsp water) to create a thin batter. Dip each eggplant sandwich into the batter, ensuring it’s lightly coated on all sides.
First Air Fry & Make the Glaze: Arrange the battered eggplant sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes. While they are cooking, mix all the “◇” ingredients (miso, mirin, and sugar) in a small bowl to prepare the miso glaze.
Glaze and Final Fry: After 10 minutes, brush the miso glaze over the top of the eggplant sandwiches. Return them to the air fryer and cook for another 2 minutes at 190°C (374°F).
Serve: Transfer the stuffed eggplant to a plate, garnish with the reserved chopped green onions, and enjoy!