Baingan bharta is a popular Indian Vegan Eggplant recipe full of delightful flavors. Smoked eggplant is mashed and stir fried with browned onion and tomato sauce along with typical Indian spices like garam masala, cumin and coriander powder. Learn how to make restaurant style baingan bharta by roasting the eggplants in an air fryer, oven or stove top.
Spit roasted eggplant with smoky flavor is mashed with tomatoes, onion and fragrant spices to make this delicious Punjabi baingan bharta. Serve it with naan, paratha or rice for a scrumptious Indian meal.
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Similar to Chana Masala, Palak Paneer, Punjabi Kadhi Pakora, Rajma Masala and Paneer Makhani , this is an iconic Indian food loved by all.
The best way to make this smoky eggplant mashed dip is by using an air fryer. This is one of my favorite recipes that uses air fryer since it gets done so perfectly and results are always consistent.
I am also including instructions to make it using oven or stovetop in case you do not use air fryer. This preparation makes best vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free baingan bharta.
Ingredients
Vegetables : Globe purple eggplants ( also called aubergine ) . We also use minced garlic and ginger, chopped onion and chopped tomatoes to make masala gravy ( curry) . For the fiery spicy taste, add green chilies. Chopped cilantro leaves for garnish. You can also add lemon or lime juice for more zesty taste.
For Oil Tempering : You do warm oil tempering with spices to bring out rich earthy taste. I love to use mustard oil for this preparation but you can use any other cooking oil of your choice. Cumin seeds , cayenne or red pepper powder, garam masala, cumin coriander powder and turmeric powder are rest of the spices and herbs used in adding layered flavors.
Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Air Fryer Baingan Bharta
Traditionally eggplants were roasted in an open fire pit or Tandoor ovens to make this earthy smoky dish. Plum purple eggplants or aubergine are typically used since they have a lot of meaty flesh inside.
You can roast the eggplants in an air fryer or bake it in the oven. You can also do it on a electric stove top using metal mesh. Also frying the spices in warm oil brings out intense earthy flavors.
It results in fragrant and flavorful smoky dip that is so satisfying. Similar to popular Middle Eastern Baba Ghanoush, it is a delight to all eggplant lovers.
Instructions
Prepare the eggplant for roasting
Wash and dry the eggplant. Using a knife , make a few slits through the skin and insert a garlic clove in each slit. Brush the eggplant with some oil.
Roasting Eggplants on gas stove top
On the medium heat, roast the eggplant on direct flame till they are charred on the outside. Keep rotating every minute or so, to make sure it roasts evenly on all sides. The skin should look dark and burned. ( roughly 7-10 minutes per eggplant )
Roasting Eggplants using Air Fryer
Arrange the eggplant on an air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 375º Fahrenheit . Air fry for about 20-22 minutes rotating half way till the eggplant looks wrinkled and charred.
Oven Baking Eggplants for making bharta
Preheat the oven at 400 °Fahrenheit. Put the prepared eggplant on a baking tray. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes until eggplant is tender and cooked inside.
To Make Bharta or Mash
Let the eggplant cool down completely. Peel off the burnt skin. Finely chop or mash the pulp using either the potato masher or the fork. Keep aside.
Warm up oil on medium heat in a sauté pan. Add in cumin seeds and allow them to sputter and brown.
Add onions and green chilies ( if using ) . Sprinkle some salt. Sauté for a few minutes on high heat till onions are translucent and look golden.
Add the tomatoes and minced ginger. Cook for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently till tomatoes release water and start to thicken.
Add the rest of the spices. Continue to stir for a couple more minutes. Add in the mashed roasted eggplant and garlic pulp and salt. Mix well.
Cook for about 5 minutes so everything is mixed well. Adjust seasoning and salt if needed. Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and mix well. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve warm. Enjoy !
Serving Suggestions
This vegan baingan bharta is typically used as a side dish along with other curry recipes. Instant Pot Dal Makhani, Punjabi Dum Aloo or Paneer Jalfrezi are excellent pairings.
In typical Indian thali style dinner serving, you serve it with hot freshly made roti, parathas or steamed white basmati rice. Fresh pickled onions, lemon wedges and spicy green chilies are served as sides.
You can also use this Smokey Flavored Eggplant recipe as a dip and serve along with crackers, crostini, toast or fresh veggies like carrots, cucumbers and broccoli.
Along with Greek Tzatziki Dip, Cilantro Hummus and Vegan Olive Tapenade, this is my favorite dip to serve on a Mediterranean Mezze platter or charcuterie board.
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Recipe FAQs
Baingan Bharta is a delicious, tangy and spicy Indian dish made from minced roasted eggplant, onions, tomatoes and a variety of spices. It is a popular dish among vegetarians and commonly eaten in India. Baingan is Indian name for eggplant and bharta is a Hindi word used for mashed dip. So baingan bharta can be described as an eggplant dip. The distinctive feature of this dish is the smoky flavors of eggplant when they are roasted to perfection.
Baingan Bharta is a Punjabi / North Indian Hindi word. In Marathi , this recipe is called as Vangyache Bharit. In Tamil it is called kathirikai gothsu and in Bihari it is baingan chokha.
I prefer to use big purple eggplants. Choose blemish free and firm texture. You can also use Sicilian eggplants which are round and big. I also use Japanese or Chinese eggplants which are long and slender. However they have less pulp / flesh inside.
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Baingan Bharta Recipe – Air Fryer or Oven
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large eggplant
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon minced ginger
- 1-2 green chilies minced or crushed
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
For Oil Tempering
- 1 Tablespoon Oil – mustard oil preferred
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon cayenne or red pepper powder – adjust per spice tolerance
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro leaves to garnish
Instructions
Prepare the eggplant for roasting
- Wash and dry the eggplant. Using a knife , make a few slits through the skin and insert a garlic clove in each slit. Brush the eggplant with some oil.
How to Roast Eggplant on stove top
- On the medium heat, roast the eggplant on fire till they are charred on the outside. Keep rotating every minute or so, to make sure it roasts evenly on all sides. The skin should look dark and burned. ( roughly 7-10 minutes per eggplant )
How to Roast Eggplant In Air Fryer
- Arrange the eggplant on an airfryer basket. Set the temperature to 375º Fahrenheit . Air fry for about 20-22 minutes rotating half way till the eggplant looks wrinkled and charred.
How to Oven Bake Eggplant
- Preheat the oven at 400 °Fahrenheit. Put the prepared eggplant on a baking sheet. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes until eggplant is tender and cooked inside.
How To Make Roasted Baingan Bharta or Mash
- Let the eggplant cool down completely. Peel off the burnt skin. Finely chop or mash the pulp. and keep aside.
- Warm up oil on medium heat in a sauté pan. Add in cumin seeds and allow them to sputter and brown.
- Add onions and green chilies ( if using ) . Sprinkle some salt. Sauté for a few minutes till onions are translucent and look golden.
- Add the tomatoes and minced ginger. Cook for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently till tomatoes release water and start to thicken.
- Add the rest of the spices. Continue to stir for a couple more minutes.
- Add in the mashed roasted eggplant and garlic pulp and salt. Mix well. Cook for about 5 minutes so everything is mixed well. Adjust seasoning and salt if needed.
- Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and mix well. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve warm. Enjoy !
Notes
Nutrition
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