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Airfried Dengaku Nasu (Miso Eggplant)

Believe it or not, the air fryer is the perfect instrument to make this simple and delicious Japanese eggplant dish
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2

Equipment

  • air fryer, small bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 brinjal
  • 1/2-1 tbsp miso paste
  • 1 tsp honey or agave nectar
  • Olive oil to brush
  • Hot water

Instructions
 

  • Make the miso paste: Scoop up about 1 tbs of miso, drop it into a small bowl and add 2 tbs of hot water.  This is a very rough measurement, as I was eyeballing it. Basically the paste needs to be diluted enough to be smeared on the brinjal yet not too watery that it slips off easily. Grind the bottom of your spoon against the mixture until the miso dissolves in the water. If you’ve worked with miso before, you’ll now that miso is a bit granular and so takes a bit of time to dissolve. This step is crucial for a smooth paste.
  • Add in honey or agave nectar, bit by bit. (I started with 1 tsp.) Taste until you achieve the desired sweet-umami balance.
  • Slice your brinjal into half, and  half again if necessary. Leave the skins on.
  • Using a fork, make a few scores on the flesh of the brinjal.
  • Brush olive oil on both the top and bottom (skin part) of the brinjal.
  • Place your brinjal, FLESH side down in your air fryer basket and cook it at 200 C for 8 minutes.
  • Pull out your basket. Using thongs, turn the brinjal pieces so that the skins are now facing down.
  • Brush the top (flesh) of your brinjal with the miso paste you prepared earlier.
  • Pop the basket back into your air fryer. Continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes or until your brinjal looks suitably charred.

Notes

Dengaku Nasu - Quick FAQ

1. What is Dengaku Nasu?

Dengaku Nasu is a traditional Japanese side dish consisting of sliced eggplant that is broiled or grilled and brushed with a savory-sweet miso glaze. The result is a creamy vegetable interior with a charred, caramelized, and umami-rich topping.

2. Can you make Dengaku Nasu in an air fryer?

Yes, you can make Dengaku Nasu in an air fryer. Using an air fryer is often more efficient than a conventional oven, as it achieves a better char and faster caramelization of the miso glaze while keeping the eggplant flesh tender and creamy.

3. How long does it take to cook eggplant in an air fryer?

Cooking eggplant in an air fryer typically takes about half the time required by a traditional oven. Because air fryers circulate heat more intensely, you can achieve a perfectly soft texture and charred top in significantly less time without the need for preheating.

4. What are the ingredients for easy Air Fryer Dengaku Nasu?

This easy air fryer recipe requires only five simple ingredients: eggplant, miso paste, sugar (for the glaze), oil, and water. This minimalist approach focuses on the natural umami flavors of the miso.

5. Why is the air fryer better than an oven for Japanese eggplant?

The air fryer functions like a high-powered convection oven. It excels at grilling because it circulates hot air rapidly, which helps in rendering the eggplant flesh soft and "creamy" while simultaneously blistering the miso glaze into a smoky, caramelized crust.

6. Do you need to preheat an air fryer for Dengaku Nasu?

No, one of the main advantages of using an air fryer for this recipe is that no preheating is required. You can place the prepared eggplant directly into the basket, saving time and energy compared to a conventional oven.

7. What does Dengaku Nasu taste like?

Dengaku Nasu has a complex flavor profile that balances salty, sweet, and umami. The miso glaze provides a deep savory note that becomes "sticky-sweet" when heated, while the eggplant itself provides a mild, buttery base with a hint of smokiness from the char.

8. Is Dengaku Nasu vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, Dengaku Nasu is naturally vegetarian. It is a popular plant-based Japanese dish that uses fermented soybean paste (miso) as its primary flavor source, making it a satisfying meat-free option.

9. How do you get a charred top on air fryer eggplant?

To get a "legit" charred top, brush the sweet miso glaze onto the eggplant toward the end of the cooking cycle. The high-intensity heat of the air fryer will quickly bubble and caramelize the sugars in the glaze, creating those signature smoky, dark bits.

10. Is Air Fryer Dengaku Nasu energy efficient?

Using an air fryer to make Dengaku Nasu is generally more energy-efficient than using a full-sized oven. It eliminates preheating time and reduces total cooking time by at least 50%, which may help lower electricity consumption for small-batch cooking.
Keyword vegetable