Easy Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

This Easy Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan brings crispy breaded eggplant, rich marinara, and melty cheese together for a restaurant-style dinner at home. It’s comforting, filling, and way cheaper than ordering out.

If you love Cheesecake Factory’s Eggplant Parmesan but don’t love the price tag or the wait time, this copycat recipe is about to be your new best friend.

Crispy breaded eggplant, rich marinara, and layers of melty cheese come together in one seriously satisfying dinner that tastes straight off the restaurant menu.

It’s the kind of comfort food that feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight when you just want something good without a ton of drama in the kitchen.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• It tastes like the real deal, crispy eggplant, gooey cheese, and rich sauce just like your favorite restaurant order.
• Way cheaper than eating out, with leftovers that make tomorrow’s lunch a win.
• Easy enough for weeknights but fancy enough to serve guests without stress.
• Perfect for meatless dinners that still feel hearty and satisfying.
• Bakes up beautifully, so you get big flavor without babysitting the stove.

If you are looking for even more Classic Air Fryer Italian Dishes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER ITALIAN DRESSING CHICKEN, AIR FRYER EASY ITALIAN CHICKEN TENDERS, AIR FRYER ITALIAN MEATLOAF, and AIR FRYER ITALIAN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH.

Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients

• Large Eggplant: You’ll need firm and fresh eggplants, which will be thinly sliced to create the base of the dish.
• Egg: Beaten eggs will help the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the eggplant slices during the breading process.
• Breadcrumbs: You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. They provide a crispy coating for the eggplant.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich and savory flavor to the breadcrumb mixture, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: This seasoning blend typically includes dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, adding a delightful Italian flavor to the breadcrumb coating.
• Garlic Powder: A dash of garlic powder contributes a subtle garlic flavor to the breadcrumb mixture, complementing the other seasonings.
• Marinara Sauce: Choose your favorite marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce,  or make your own for layering and adding flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is an essential component for creating that gooey, melty topping on the eggplant slices.
• Fresh Basil: Fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped, are used as a garnish for added freshness and a burst of color.
• Salt and Pepper: Season the eggplant slices and breadcrumb mixture with kosher salt and black pepper to taste for well-balanced seasoning.
• Olive Oil Cooking Spray: You’ll need olive oil spray to lightly coat the eggplant slices before air frying, helping them become crispy without excessive oil.
• Optional: Red pepper flakes or grated red pepper for a hint of spice can be added if you like your Eggplant Parmesan with a kick.

How To Make Easy Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

​Step One: Start by preparing your eggplant: slice eggplant, 1/2-inch thick eggplant rounds. If you prefer, you can peel the eggplant first, but it’s not necessary. Place the eggplant on a paper towel and add salt on top of each slice; let the eggplant sit for 3-4 minutes; this will help remove excess moisture. 

Step Two: In a bowl, whisk the egg until well beaten. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This will be your breadcrumb coating.

Step Three: Dip eggplant slices into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off, and then coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Press the breadcrumbs onto the eggplant to ensure a good coating.

Step Four: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for 2-3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don’t overlap.

Step Five: Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. They should become golden brown and crispy.

Step Six: While the eggplant is cooking, warm your marinara sauce in a separate saucepan on the stove. Once the eggplant slices are done, remove them from the air fryer.

Step Seven: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Place a layer of air-fried eggplant slices on top of the sauce. Add a generous spoonful of marinara sauce to each slice. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the marinara sauce.

Step Eight: Continue layering eggplant, sauce, and cheese until you’ve used all your ingredients, finishing with a layer of cheese. Place the baking dish in your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for another 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Easy Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Tips

• Salt the eggplant first: That quick salt-and-rest step pulls out extra moisture so you get crispy, not soggy, slices.
• Use panko if you can: It gives a crunch that regular breadcrumbs just can’t compete with.
• Don’t crowd the pan: Whether baking or air frying, give the slices space so they crisp instead of steam.
• Layer lightly: Too much sauce between layers turns this into eggplant soup. Spoon, don’t pour.
• Finish under the broiler: One or two minutes at the end melts the cheese perfectly and adds that restaurant-style top.

Storing Instructions

• Refrigerator: Let leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or use freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Easy Cheesecake Factory Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Recipe Faqs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes! You can prep and bread the eggplant slices a few hours in advance. Store them in the fridge covered until ready to cook.

Can I bake instead of frying the eggplant? Absolutely. Brush the breaded eggplant slices lightly with oil and bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes. Substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers for a crispy coating.

Can I freeze the eggplant parmesan? Yes. Assemble the cooked eggplant parmesan in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Can I use a different type of cheese? Definitely. Mozzarella and Parmesan are classic, but you can mix in provolone or a little fontina for a different flavor.

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