I love fried eggplant fries, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood for the calories OR the hassle that comes with deep frying...
...so this oven-baked version is the next best thing!
Oven-Baked Eggplant Fries
Preheat oven to 400.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (Directly on the sheet would be fine too but I prefer using the paper.)
Slice your eggplant into very thin strips. (I used 2 baby eggplants)
Whisk two egg whites in a medium-large bowl.
Add 2 cups panko, 1 cup plain bread crumbs to a Ziploc bag and shake. (I also added 2 tsp. garlic powder and hefty pinch of Cayenne pepper, but you can season how ever you like...)
Place a handful of your raw eggplant fries into the bowl with the egg whites and coat well.
Place egg white coated eggplant fries into the panko/bread crumb mixture and shake all around to coat the fries with the mixture.
Place your coated eggplant fries onto your pan (not overlapping) and cook about 10-12 minutes, or until browned and crispy.
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with kosher salt.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (i.e.: Marinara Sauce, Ranch Dip or a Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce....)
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21 comments:
Since I love asparagus fries, I have to assume I'd love these, too!
Cute,... and sexy. Not a combination you usually associate with something pear shaped. But I'm loving these fries!
Unique and exciting...They'll never guess what this is. I am definitely into this.
I like the sound of baked eggplant fries!
I love how so many things covered in panko and baked can be just as good as it's deep fried counterpart! These look fantastic!
What a great idea, I've never tried eggplant fries before. But I love Eggplant.
Yummy recipe..bookmarked
Aarthi
http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/
I bet even folks who swear they hate eggplant would love this. After all, who can resist anything made into fries? ;)
Thanks all! They can be reheated too, to "recrisp" if you can't eat them all in one sitting, but that's highly unlikely! :)
Don't forget the dipping sauce...depending on the one you pick determines the entire experience! Marinara is like eggplant parm fries and creamy lemon dill gives them a fresh and light Greek twist.
These look great! In the Spanish region of Andalucía, fried eggplant drizzled with honey is a very traditional tapa. It would be great to try the baked version. Thanks!
We aren't a very eggplant-loving house, but you make it look pretty darn good here. May have to revisit...
Why didn't I think of this? Great idea.
Okay this recipe will be my last ditch effort to get my husband to like eggplant. And if he doesn't well...let's just say I fear for our future.
Love Eggplant, but what's 'panko' and what can it be substituted for?
Thanks all!
@Grace - Panko are "Japanese bread or really rice crumbs." They are especially crunchy and much coarser in texture than a regular bread crumb.
Panko is becoming much more popular and easy to find! I guess a good substitute would be something like cracker crumbs or crunchy flat bread crumbs.
Anyone else have any good ideas for a Panko substitute?
Thanks Carolyn, now that I have an idea I can maybe find it at Asian grocers or use rice crackers to make crumbs ! Can't wait to try them out :)
you're welcome :) Hopefully you can find them, they're wonderful!
I was also thinking a good substitute might be crushed up Corn Flakes or RICE CHEX cereal... Good Luck!!!
Just catching up after being offline.... These are amazing! I have never tried them, but cannot wait! YUM!
These were easy to make and delicious. Healthy and less messy than the fried version too, which is a plus.
A dipping sauce (of your choosing) really adds to the dish.
We have a local restaurant serving the deep fried version...too greasy but their horseradish sauce is to die for. I will try these. Thanks!
Anyone have the recipe for the creamy lemon dill Sauce? Sounds amazing!
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