Begin by sprinkling the sliced eggplant with salt and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This helps to draw out excess moisture and bitterness. After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Set up a breading station: Place the flour in one shallow dish, the beaten eggs in a second dish, and combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika in a third dish.
Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
Arrange the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
Cook the eggplant for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Serve immediately as a snack or side dish, and enjoy!