Crispy Eggplant Slices - Perfect all by themselves or dipped in homemade tomato sauce, oven fried eggplant is the perfect appetizer to serve for your family and friends! This recipe is also the first step in preparing Eggplant Parmesan, one of my favorite Italian recipes. Let me show you how to make them perfectly crispy without deep frying or without any oil!
For years I made this recipe the traditional way by frying the breaded eggplant slices in a heavy skillet in oil. But then I discovered one of the ways to get crispy baked eggplant slices is to use my oven.
Healthy Eggplant Recipes
Baked eggplant slices can be used as an appetizer when served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. You can also serve them as an appetizer with my homemade tomato sauce recipe to use a dipping sauce.
And if I can keep my family from devouring all the crispy baked eggplant slices, I'll use them to make another popular blog recipe, Eggplant Parmesan.
It's one of my favorite recipes to order when dining out in Italian restaurants, however, nothing compares to my homemade recipe!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Ingredients:
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- 1 medium-sized eggplant; peeled and sliced into thin rounds.
- Eggs
- Plain bread crumbs
- Dried parsley
- salt and pepper
- non-stick cooking spray
Peeling Eggplant
I like to peel my eggplant. Some people don't, so it really depends on how you like to eat eggplant. I find the skin to taste bitter and do not care for the texture of it.
If you do decide to peel the eggplant, you can use either a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. The skin is not very thick, so it should peel pretty easily.
Directions
You can use seasoned bread crumbs or season them yourself which is what I prefer by adding dried parsley, salt and pepper.
Dip the eggplant slices in the beaten eggs and then dredge in the breadcrumbs.
Baked Eggplant Slices
- The secret to getting crispy baked eggplant is to use cooking spray. Do not brush the slices with oil. They come out too greasy and soggy. Which is not what you want!
- Use a Cooking Oil Spritzer filled with regular oil and spray each eggplant slice.
- You can also use non-stick cooking spray, like Pam Cooking Spray.
Oven Fried Eggplant
- Place the tray of eggplant slices in a preheated 425 degree oven.
- Bake the eggplant slices until they are golden brown on the bottom; about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Flip the slices and spray the tops again with the cooking spray.
- Continue baking for a few extra minutes until the eggplant is soft and the tops are crispy.
Once the eggplant slices are done, remove them to a wire baking rack.
Can you see how crispy they look? And without frying! These are so addictive! I can eat the whole tray by myself!
Baked Crispy Eggplant is a much healthier way to enjoy this favorite summer vegetable.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes:
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
- Homemade Queso Cheese Dip - no fake cheese!
- Mini Spinach and Bacon Quiche
- Zucchini Pizza Bites - low calorie and low carb!
📖 Recipe Card
Healthy Baked Crispy Eggplant
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized Eggplant; peeled and sliced into thin rounds.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- salt and pepper
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Peel and slice the eggplant into rounds. I like them pretty thin, but it's really up to you.
- In a medium bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a shallow bowl or pie plate combine the bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Dip one eggplant slice in the egg mixture and then immediately into the bread crumb mixture covering both sides of the eggplant with bread crumbs. Repeat with all the eggplant slices.
- Lay the eggplant slices on a baking tray that has been lined with parchment paper or prepared baking pan.
- Spray the tops of the eggplant slices with the non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake until the eggplant is golden brown on the bottom; about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Flip the slices and spray the tops again with the cooking oil spray.
- Continue baking until the eggplant is soft and the tops are crispy.
- Remove from oven and transfer to a baking rack or serving platter.
- Serve with warm tomato sauce and enjoy!
Notes
This post has been updated since it first appeared here in 2017. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Holley from Georiga says
Made this recipe and it was great will make it again soon . Love eggplant !!!
Lois says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Taryn Cintron says
Do you need to salt the eggplant slices first to release the moisture?
Lois says
I never salt eggplant slices. If you do they will become soggy and not crispy in the oven. Thank you so much for checking out my recipe!
Mother of 3 says
Those sound delicious! I make my eggplant "parm" very similar to this just adding some sauce and cheese at the last minute. I have it on our menu for tonight but I'm going to try this instead. I love anything with a crisp. Pinned.
Jenny says
Wow! This looks like such a yummy snack. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Crystal Green says
I make my eggplants like this myself. My kids adore it!! They are in the kitchen right along beside me making it ensure we make enough of it! This recipe is well worth sharing. You make yours look a lot prettier than mine turns out. 🙂
I found this on the #MixItUpMonday party.
Marisa F. Stewart says
Oh, I can't wait to make this. Sounds so good and we do love crispy eggplant. Usually if you fry it, it is good but all at once it gets soggy even though we try to remove as much moisture as possible. I do have one of those pans. I can't wait to try this.
Denise says
This looks delicious and addicting! It reminds me of fried green tomatoes! I think I have found myself a new favorite snack!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
I never used to like eggplant, but I do now. What a great way to enjoy this. Cripsy and delicious. You can use this as a side dish or an appetizer.
Lois says
If I'm lucky to have any leftover! We usually devour the slices as they come out of the oven. Thanks for visiting!
Veena Azmanov says
This sounds so very interesting and unique Have never tasted this unique egg plant recipe ever. Lovely and perfect to try it for family.
Lois says
This recipe is a staple in an Italian household! Thanks for visiting.
Cristina says
I love eggplant! Your recipe sounds delicious!
S Marie says
Oh my goodness these look amazing! I love eggplant so these would be perfect for snacking. Thanks for sharing your delicious recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!
Sue says
I love eggplant Lois, thank you for sharing this baked recipe! I will surely try it, I also keep my dried herbs in mason jars! Blessings,
Sue