Air Fryer Eggplant Unagi Dinner with Fried Rice and Charred Bok Choy

Looking for a complete vegan air fryer dinner? This Air Fryer Eggplant Unagi Dinner combines sweet and savory glazed Chinese eggplant, charred bok choy, and protein-packed fried rice for an easy plant-based meal made almost entirely in a single air fryer basket. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or anyone looking for creative vegan air fryer recipes. Also see my Nashville Hot Tofu Dinner with Corn Ribs and Biscuits.

FYI, this article includes Amazon affiliate links which you can use to find the products I’m talking about. When you do, I may earn a small commission from your purchase; this is a great no-cost way to support my work. Don’t worry, you never pay more because of this.
I worked with Cosori to produce the video above but they have not sponsored this blog post.

If you think air fryers are only for reheating leftovers or making crispy snacks, this Air Fryer Eggplant Unagi Dinner is here to prove otherwise. This complete plant-based meal features silky Japanese-inspired glazed eggplant, charred bok choy, and protein-packed fried rice; all cooked in a single air fryer basket.

The result is a restaurant-worthy vegan dinner with sweet and savory flavors, vegetables, satisfying protein, and surprisingly little cleanup.

Note about Air Fryers

I designed this recipe for the Cosori TurboBlaze (affiliate link) which cooks faster than most other air fryers. So if you have a different model, be prepared to tack on a few extra minutes to each air frying step.

I really love that it has variable fan speeds so it can reheat the frozen rice without drying out before ramping it up to crisp just the right amount for fried rice. Plus the BROIL mode is awesome for getting that caramelized layer on the Eggplant Unagi. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe was designed to show just how versatile an air fryer can be. Instead of cooking separate components on the stovetop, everything is prepared in stages using the same basket.

The eggplant becomes incredibly soft and luscious, almost buttery in texture. The homemade unagi-inspired glaze caramelizes beautifully under the broiler setting, creating that signature sweet-and-savory finish often found on grilled eel dishes.

Meanwhile, the fried rice combines jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, vegetables, and grated tofu for extra protein, while the bok choy develops lightly charred edges and tender stems.

What is Eggplant Unagi?

Traditional unagi is freshwater eel glazed with a sweet soy-based sauce. While this recipe doesn’t attempt to replicate the flavor of eel itself, roasted Chinese eggplant has a silky texture that pairs beautifully with a similar style of glaze.

The combination of soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and mushroom seasoning creates a rich umami-packed sauce that transforms humble eggplant into the star of the meal.

Why Chinese Eggplant Works Best

Chinese eggplants are long and slender, making them ideal for air fryer cooking. Their thinner shape allows them to soften quickly while maintaining an attractive presentation.

Look for an eggplant with smooth, shiny skin and a relatively uniform width from end to end. An eggplant around 11 inches long fits comfortably in a 9″ by 9″ air fryer basket.

Don’t skip poking a few holes before cooking. As amusing as it sounds, eggplants can build up steam pressure while roasting, and a few knife tip or fork holes prevent any unexpected eruptions.

The Secret to Protein-Packed Fried Rice

Many vegetable-based fried rice recipes can feel more like a side dish than a complete meal.

Grating extra-firm tofu directly into the rice solves that problem. As it cooks, the tofu blends into the rice and absorbs all the surrounding flavors. Most people won’t even notice it’s there, but it significantly boosts the protein content and makes the meal much more satisfying.

Using half cauliflower rice also lightens the dish while adding extra vegetables without sacrificing texture.

Tips for the Best Results

• Allow the eggplant to cool slightly before slicing and glazing. It will be much easier to handle.
• Arrange the bok choy with the leafy ends facing inward. The leaves cook more quickly than the stems so this prevents crispy leaves turning into burnt ones.
• Reserve some glaze for the final broiling step. The second layer creates a beautifully sticky, caramelized finish.
• If your air fryer doesn’t have a broil function, simply continue air frying at the highest temperature available until the glaze darkens and bubbles.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have available.

• Use all jasmine rice instead of half cauliflower rice.
• Use all cauliflower rice for a lighter meal.
• Substitute edamame for the peas.
• Add mushrooms, diced carrots, or bell peppers to the fried rice.
• Increase the bok choy if you’d like more greens.

A Complete Meal from One Air Fryer

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it feels much more elaborate than it actually is. Between the glossy glazed eggplant, crispy-edged bok choy, and savory fried rice, it looks like something that would require multiple pans and considerably more effort.

Instead, everything comes together in a single air fryer basket with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. If you’re looking for a satisfying vegan dinner that showcases just how much an air fryer can do, this Eggplant Unagi Dinner deserves a spot on your menu.