What I like to call baba ganoush is a Middle Eastern food preparation made predominantly from the blend of eggplant that is roasted or grilled, together with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Conventionally the dish is spicy and juicy and many people especially the aged always relish it.
Air fryers have made the preparation of this dish even easier and faster than many people would ever imagine. In this guide, you will learn all about air fryer baba ganoush;
how to prepare it, some useful tips, other ways one can prepare this food item, and some ways to serve it.
Read it: How to Warm Up Pita Bread: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Baba Ganoush?
Baba ganoush is a spread of Middle Eastern origin that comes from the Levant area. The main actors in this dish are aubergines, which are first roasted to create a barbeque taste.
It should be noted that baba ganoush has an entirely different taste from hummus, which is derived from chickpeas, but is widely used in many dishes.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Using an air fryer to make baba ganoush has several advantages:
• Speed: It takes much lesser time to cook the eggplant in an air fryer than is required in other oven roasting techniques.
• Healthier Option: In air frying, less oil is used as compared to deep frying which means that air frying is better for health.
• Convenience: The air fryer is very convenient for use and also easy to clean making it one of the best kitchen appliances to use.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Baba Ganoush
To make a delicious air fryer baba ghanoush, you will need the following ingredients:
• Eggplants: 1- 2 eggplants of medium size depending with the size of the whole boiling basket (about 1 pound).
• Tahini: 3 tablespoons of tahini for creaminess – a natural ingredient for making this dip rich and smooth.
• Garlic: 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced Preferably of fresh garlic because raw garlic with its strong flavor adds more to the taste of the dish.
• Lemon Juice: Squashing of 1 lemon to increase its acidity.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and additional to drizzle.
• Cumin: and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin in order to enrich the taste of the dish.
• Salt: As a taste, normally one half of a teaspoon.
• Smoked Paprika (optional): If one wants the food to be even more smoky, it can be served with extra smoke.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to prepare air fryer baba ganoush:
• Prepare the Eggplants: The eggplants should be washed and dried before cooking. If large slice them in half lengthwise and pierce the skin with a fork several time. This makes them not to explode while cooking.
• Air Fry the Eggplants: Set the air fryer to preheat at 375 degrees Part One or 190 degrees Celsius.Put the eggplant halves on the basket of the air fryer, with cut side down. Steam for 25 minutes or until the kelp has begun to become tender and the flesh inside tender and shrinking away from edges of kelp.
• Scoop and Blend: When cooked allow the eggplants to cool for some time. Using a spoon scoop out the flesh part and place it in a mixing bowl, preferably a large one.To the batch, add tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, and the salt. You can mix with an immersion blender like this or in a food processor till very smooth.
• Taste and Adjust:Try a spoonful of baba ganoush and add salt as per the taste preference. If you prefer a tangy sauce, you can add more of the lemon juice while for the salty taste, you add more salt or more garlic.
• Serve: Pour the baba ganoush into a separate serving dish. Serve and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with little smoky paprika, if necessary. It is best eaten with pita bread, vegetables or can form part of a Mediterranean mezze platter.
Serving Suggestions
Baba ganoush is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways:
• As a Dip: Eat with crackers, fresh vegetable such as carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers or pita chips.
• In Sandwiches: Use the baba ganoush as a spread on wraps or sandwiches to add some extra flavour.
• As a Side Dish: Accompany it with grilled meat, especially beef, or with fish for a side dish.
• On a Mezze Platter: Serve as a side dish with other Middle Eastern dips such as hummus, tabbouleh, olives, or falafel.
Storage Tips
• Refrigeration: Refrigerate all the left overs in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Again, I like that we’ll gradually develop more profound notes.
• Freezing: Baba ganoush needs to be consumed within five days; however, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Refrigerate and the Thaw before consuming the food.
Key Takeaways
• Quick Cooking: Cooking eggplants using air fryer is also quicker than any other methods of cooking.
• Healthier Option: Compared to deep fryers, air fryers also require lesser amount of oil and so baba ganoush is also a healthier dip.
• Versatile Dish: Due to this, baba ganoush can be used in many ways and at many times making it a versatile dish to have.
FAQ Section
Can I use the store-bought roasted eggplant?
Of course, you can use store bought roasted eggplant just to cut short the time of cooking. The only thing you need to be sure is that it should be well drained before introducing the mix.
If you do not have the option of making the tahini from scratch than you can use these alternatives in creating your recipe;
If you can substitute sunflower seed butter or Greek yogurt for tahini.
Is baba ganoush gluten-free?
Yes, baba ganoush, does not contain any ingredient that has gluten and therefore baba ganoush is gluten free.Is baba ganoush possible without the use of garlic?
Absolutely! Garlic is optional and if you do not like the smell and taste of garlic you can very well exclude it from the list of ingredients that is needed for stewing.
Can the baba ganoush be made hotter?
To spice it up a little, users can include a pinch of cayenne pepper or some hot sauce to the mix.
Conclusion
Preparation of baba ganoush in an air fryer is one of the simplest ways of preparing the tasty smoky dip that can be used for various functions.
This a traditional meal that can be prepared easily and more so with the help of an air fryer. This dish is great for any event, whether or not you’re serving it for a dinner party or if you just want a delicious snack.