Description
These Crispy Baked Eggplant Fries with Marinara are a delicious and healthier twist on traditional fries, featuring tender eggplant coated in a seasoned breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, baked to golden perfection, and served with a tangy marinara dipping sauce. Perfect as a vegetarian appetizer or side dish with Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Eggplant Fries
- 1 large eggplant, peeled and cut into fry-sized sticks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Eggplant: Place the eggplant sticks in a colander and sprinkle evenly with salt. Let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse the eggplant sticks thoroughly under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to ensure they crisp up well during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even browning of the fries.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with the all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. This will make the breading process organized and efficient.
- Bread the Eggplant Fries: Dip each eggplant stick first into the flour, shaking off any excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well to the eggplant sticks.
- Arrange and Spray: Place the breaded eggplant sticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the coated fries with olive oil spray to help achieve a crispy, golden crust when baking.
- Bake Until Crispy: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. The fries should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.
- Optional Broiling: For extra crispiness, broil the fries for the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the hot crispy eggplant fries immediately alongside warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy as a tasty appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the fries for the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Serve these eggplant fries as an appetizer or a flavorful side dish with your favorite Italian meal.