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Impossibly Crispy Baked Eggplant: Recipe

Impossibly Crispy Baked Eggplant: Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 30 reviews

This Impossibly Crispy Baked Eggplant recipe delivers perfectly golden and crunchy eggplant slices without frying. Using panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and bold seasonings, these oven-baked rounds are a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional fried eggplant with a satisfyingly crisp texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 medium eggplant (serves 4)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Preheating to a high temperature is crucial to achieving the crispy texture.
  2. Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture and bitterness.
  3. Rinse and dry: Rinse the salted eggplant slices under cold water to remove the salt and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Removing moisture helps the coating stick and crisp.
  4. Mix the coating: In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Oil the eggplant: Drizzle olive oil evenly over the eggplant slices, ensuring each slice is well coated for browning and crispiness.
  6. Coat the slices: Dip each oily eggplant slice into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere a thick, even coating.
  7. Arrange for baking: Place the coated slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  8. Bake: Bake the slices in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping each slice halfway through to brown both sides evenly.
  9. Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly for a couple of minutes, and enjoy your crispy baked eggplant slices as a snack, side dish, or appetizer.

Notes

  • Salting the eggplant is essential to remove bitterness and excess moisture that can make the coating soggy.
  • Using panko breadcrumbs helps achieve a lighter, crispier crust compared to regular breadcrumbs.
  • Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth and assists in browning.
  • Serve these eggplant slices hot for the best texture.
  • Great as a base for eggplant Parmesan or served with marinara sauce as a dip.
  • This recipe is vegetarian and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked eggplant, crispy eggplant, healthy eggplant recipe, vegetarian appetizer, panko breadcrumb eggplant, Parmesan eggplant

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/impossibly-crispy-baked-eggplant-recipe/