If you can't get your family to touch eggplant, try making these Crispy Eggplant Fries! Easy to make and ready in minutes!
They're an excellent substitute for French fries and a tad bit more healthy!
Combine them with a homemade honey-mustard dipping sauce and you've got a quick and easy appetizer or snack!
The French call it "aubergine" and you'll find it on every menu in France. Granted, they rarely fry it over there, but when you're in the South, you can fry just about anything!
Why you'll love this recipe:
- Quick, easy, affordable - one large eggplant produces about 8 large fries in about 25 minutes
- Semi-healthy - better than french fries
- The honey-mustard dipping sauce is delicious!
I like to serve crispy eggplant fries with Hot Pastrami sandwiches or as an appetizer with Pasta alla Carbonara!
Here's what you'll need:
How to make it:
First, prep the "aubergine" -- that sounds fancy, huh? Basically, take the skin off the purple vegetable, slice it and place the slices in salted water. The salt supposedly removes any bitterness.
While it's soaking, set up a dredging station: two pie plates, one with eggs, the other with panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings.
Take the strips out of the salt water and put them on a paper towel to drain; pat them dry.
Then dredge them in lightly beaten egg and then in seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
Look carefully at the last image...this is EXACTLY how you know when it's time to flip the fried veggie--when it cooks halfway up, flip it.
Cook it on the other side for another 2-3 minutes, then drain it on a paper towel.
Repeat process until all the strips are done. While the last few are cooking, whip up the sauce.
Dipping sauce ingredients:
Plain yogurt (doesn't have to be Greek or French...just plain ole' plain yogurt), honey, grain mustard, a dash of vinegar and a pinch of salt.
Stir it all together and put it in a pretty ramekin...
Expert tips:
How to select eggplant
This recipe calls for one large American or Italian eggplant.
Choose one that is deep purple and firm to the touch. The purple skin should be smooth without any dents or pits.
How to peel it:
First, cut off a bit of the top and bottom, making a firm base. Then, stand the it on its base, and starting from the top, lightly slice down right beneath the purple skin with a sharp knife.
How to store:
If you bought one and aren't quite ready to cook it, store it on a shelf in the fridge; don't put it in a vegetable bin or it will soften too quickly. You can store it in the fridge for about 3 days.
Why soak it in saltwater
Some (if not all) eggplants are bitter, but you can't really tell by looking, touching or smelling it so, if you soak it in salted water "osmosis" occurs--the salt brings out the bitterness-- and you minimize the risk of having a bitter appetizer.
Reheating instructions:
- Place on baking sheet in 375ºF oven for 10-15 minutes
Difference between "regular" American/Italian and Japanese and Chinese eggplant:
"Regular" eggplant, known as American or Italian, are large and deep purple in color. This is what you'll move likely find at the grocery store.
Japanese eggplant are dark purple and smaller than "regular" and Chinese eggplants are smaller and more pale in color.
Both Japanese and Chinese eggplants are slightly milder and cook more quickly than "regular" eggplant.
Frying tips:
- Use a heat-tolerant oil: canola, vegetable, peanut, grapeseed or walnut. Definitely do not use olive oil or you'll catch the kitchen on fire.
- Get the oil between 275º-300ºF. (Use a meat thermometer to determine the heat of the oil.)
- If you smell a burning smell about halfway through, don't panic. That's just some of the panko crumbs crisping-up. Just grab another skillet and put oil in it, then continue frying the rest of the eggplant. (Make sure you let the new oil get good and hot.)
Serving suggestions:
Serve these crispy veggie fries with a myriad of foods!
As a crunchy side to a green salad or with your favorite pasta dish!
Substitute for French fries with a sandwich or burger or serve them as an appetizer!
Related recipes:
♥ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below! Thank you!
Crispy Eggplant Fries
Ingredients
Fried Eggplant
- 1 large eggplant peeled and sliced lengthwise
- 2 whole eggs large, lightly beaten
- 2 cups panko crumbs
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasonings , dried
- 1¾ cup oil high heat oil: canola, vegetable, peanut or grapeseed
- 2½ cups water for soaking
- ¼ cup salt for soaking
- shredded Parmesan Optional
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 2 tablespoons ground mustard
- 1½ tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, remove purple skin from eggplant
- Cut eggplant in half lengthwise (or rounds--see Recipe Notes)
- Place In a large pan and cover with water; generously sprinkle ¼ cup salt over eggplant and water; let it soak for 10-15 minutes
- Meanwhile, set up dredging station: using two pie plates, place two lightly beaten eggs in one plate; in the other place the seasoned panko crumbs and italian seasonings ; stir the breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings together to combine
- Remove eggplant from salt water and place on paper towel; pat dry
- In a heavy-bottom skillet, add oil and bring heat to medium high; about 280-300ºF
- Take one eggplant strip and dip it into the egg, coating it well; then dredge it in the panko crumbs.
- Place it in the hot oil and allow to cook for 3 minutes
- Flip eggplant and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown
- Remove and place on paper towel; lightly garnish with grated Parmesan (optional)
- Repeat with remaining eggplant (I cook mine in batches of 3-4, depending upon how big the eggplant strips are--don't crowd them!)
- Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce if desired
Notes
- Slice eggplant into 8 large strips or rounds; make rounds about ¼ inch thick
- Use a heat-tolerant oil: canola, vegetable, peanut, grapeseed or walnut. Definitely do not use olive oil or you'll catch the kitchen on fire.
- Get the oil between 275º-300ºF before you put a stick in. (Use a meat thermometer to determine the heat of the oil.)
- If you smell a burning smell about halfway through, don't panic. That's just some of the panko crumbs crisping-up. Just grab another skillet and put oil in it, then continue frying the rest of the eggplant. (Make sure you let the new oil get good and hot.)
- Place on baking sheet in 375ºF oven for 10-15 minutes uncovered
Pam says
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Trish Murphy says
This is genius. If these were on a restaurant menu I’d go just for the fries!