How to Make Crispy Baked Eggplant Fries
Eggplant fries are a delicious and healthier alternative to regular potato fries. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. And the best part? You don’t need a deep fryer to make them. With just a few simple ingredients and a baking tray, you can whip up these tasty fries at home. In this easy step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to create crispy baked eggplant fries for snack time, appetizers, or even as a side dish. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make eggplant fries, you don’t need fancy ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 large eggplant (or two medium-sized eggplants)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko works best for extra crispiness)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds great flavor)
- 2 eggs (for binding the coating)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour, if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for a smoky kick)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray (to help the fries crisp up in the oven)
Step 1: Prepping the Eggplant
First, wash the eggplant and pat it dry. Trim off the top (stem) and bottom with a sharp knife. Then, slice the eggplant into thin fry-like strips. Aim for about half an inch thick. Don’t make them too thin, or they may burn in the oven.
Eggplants can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste. To remove the bitterness, sprinkle a little salt over the eggplant slices and let them sit for 15–20 minutes. Afterward, rinse off the salt with water and pat the slices dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Preparing the Coating Stations
You’ll need three separate bowls for coating the eggplant fries:
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Bowl 1 (Flour Mixture): Combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well.
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Bowl 2 (Egg Wash): Crack the eggs into the second bowl and whisk them until smooth.
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Bowl 3 (Breadcrumbs Mix): In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for extra crunch and flavor.
Step 3: Coating the Eggplant Fries
Now it’s time to coat the eggplant strips:
- Take one strip of eggplant and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Next, dip the floured strip into the egg wash. Let any excess egg drip off.
- Finally, press the strip into the breadcrumb mixture until it’s fully coated.
Repeat this process for all the eggplant fries. The double coating helps make them extra crispy.
Step 4: Baking the Fries
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Place the coated eggplant fries on the baking tray. Make sure you leave a little space between each piece so they don’t overlap. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy.
Lightly spray the tops of the fries with olive oil. This will help them brown and crisp up in the oven.
Bake the eggplant fries for 20–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through (at about the 10–12 minute mark) for even crispiness. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes, as cooking times can vary depending on your oven.
Step 5: Serving the Eggplant Fries
Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, take them out of the oven. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving. These delicious eggplant fries are best enjoyed warm!
For dipping sauces, you can try marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even spicy mayo. Pick your favorite sauce and enjoy the fries to the fullest!
Tips for Perfect Eggplant Fries
- Use panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are larger and lighter than regular breadcrumbs, making the fries extra crispy.
- Don’t skip the olive oil spray: A quick spritz of olive oil helps brown the fries and gives them a fried-like texture.
- Season to taste: If you want to experiment, try adding herbs like oregano or thyme to the coating for extra flavor.
- Eat them fresh: Eggplant fries taste best right out of the oven. While you can store leftovers, they may lose some of their crispiness.
Why Choose Eggplant Fries?
Eggplant fries are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. Eggplants are high in fiber, which helps with digestion, and they’re low in calories compared to traditional fried snacks. Baking them instead of frying makes this dish even healthier!
Whether you’re looking for a guilt-free snack or a creative way to enjoy eggplant, crispy baked eggplant fries are a great choice. Try this recipe once, and it may just become a regular favorite in your home. Plus, it’s easy enough to involve your kids or friends in the prepping process for a fun cooking activity.
Now that you know the steps, grab some eggplants and start cooking! These crispy baked eggplant fries are sure to impress anyone who tries them.
