Classic Crispy Eggplant Parmesan

Classic crispy Eggplant Parmesan is a delicious way to satisfy your craving for Italian food without all the carbs from pasta! Lightly breaded and fried, then topped with marinara or pasta sauce, fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese!

Crispy fried eggplant parmesan in blue dish drizzled with pasta sauce
Eggplant parmesan can be made as a casserole or plated individually

This recipe works well with a rich homemade pasta sauce or you can use your favorite jarred sauce to speed things up!

For the most authentic flavor, use fresh Mozzarella  and Parmesan cheese, not the shredded packaged versions.

Ingredients

Ingredients for this classic Italian favorite include: eggplant, egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasonings, Parmesan and fresh Mozzarella cheese.

Ingredients in wooden bowl on counter
Use plain or Italian breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs

The process looks lengthy, but it’s really not.  If you’re making homemade sauce, get it started first. If using jarred pasta sauce, put it in a saucepan on simmer. Then, remove the skin from the eggplant.

  • Cut into ¼-½”inch rounds, place on paper towel and salt generously
  • Allow to sit for at least 15-30 minutes minutes (the longer it sits in salt, more moisture is drawn out and the eggplant is firm.)  After it’s sat for a while, wipe away excess salt and moisture and resume instructions
  • Set up a dredging station: 1 flat bowl with lightly beaten eggs and a second flat bowl with seasoned breadcrumbs (I use pie plates)
Bowl of beaten eggs and a bowl of seasoned bread crumbs on counter
  • Dredge each eggplant slice in the egg first, then in the seasoned bread crumbs.
  • Once all rounds are coated, place a single layer in a large skillet with hot oil.
  • Cook on the stovetop 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place on paper towel to drain.
  • Place cooked crispy eggplant parmesan rounds in lightly oiled baking dish; top with fresh Mozzarella
  • Place under broiler until cheese melts then serve with warm pasta sauce; garnish with shredded Parmesan
  • Use canola or vegetable oil; not olive oil. Olive oil is not high-heat tolerant
  • Use enough oil to fill a skillet about 1″ inch of oil; I use a 10″ inch skillet and use 1 cup of oil
  • Put your dredging station near the stove; as you take one round out, add another
  • If you make more than two batches, you’ll probably want to change the oil after the 2nd batch because some of the bread crumbs fall off and start to burn; this makes it taste burnt. 
  • If you don’t have seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs, add 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasonings per 2 cups of breadcrumbs.
  • If you only have Panko crumbs, but don’t like the texture of them, put them in the food processor and pulse them a few times
  • If you want a “casserole” version of this dish, place the crispy eggplant in a lightly oiled baking dish, drizzle some pasta sauce over and finish with fresh Mozzarella; broil until cheese melts

How to remove the eggplant skin

Cut off the ends then stand it on one end and slide a sharp knife down the sides to remove the purple skin.

Knife slicing off purple skin of eggplant
Crispy fried eggplant rounds stacked on stainless spatula

Thin slices cook faster, but it’s really up to you. I usually slice mine between ¼ and ½” inch thick. This yields about 8-12 slices per large eggplant.

What to serve with Eggplant Parmesan

Start with a  Caesar salad or a steamed artichoke! I often serve this crispy eggplant parmesan over spaghetti or fettuccine noodles. If you want to add a vegetable, ratatouille is a nice addition as well!

Crispy eggplant parmesan topped with melted Mozzarella cheese and sauce
Crispy eggplant parmesan rounds stacked, topped with sauce and cheese.

Classic Crispy Eggplant Parmesan

Crispy fried eggplant topped with marinara sauce and fresh Mozzarella!
5 from 6 votes
Print Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Salt eggplant resting time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 14 eggplant rounds
Author: Anecia Hero

Ingredients 

  • 2 large eggplants (this is about 2 pounds total)
  • 1 cup oil vegetable or canola
  • 4 whole eggs lightly beaten
  • 4 cups bread crumbs , or panko crumbs; plain or Italian (see recipe notes)
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese , sliced or crumbled
  • ½ cup shredded fresh Parmesan
  • 24 ounces pasta sauce see recipe notes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings , dried (see recipe notes); optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt kosher
  • ½ teaspoon pepper , black, ground

Instructions 

Prep

  • Wash, peel and slice eggplant into ¼" inch rounds; place on paper towel and salt generously; allow to sit 15-30 minutes; after, wipe away excess salt and moisture and set aside
    Lightly beat eggs and place in pie pan or shallow dish
    In a second shallow dish, place bread (or panko) crumbs; season with salt, pepper and Italian seasonings
    Pour oil into heavy bottom skillet on medium high heat
    Heat or prepare tomato sauce; allow to cook on low until ready to serve

Cook the Eggplant

  • Working in batches, dredge eggplant in egg then in bread crumbs; coat well
  • Place bread-coated eggplant into hot oil; cook 3-5 minutes per side, or until the breading is light, golden brown (see recipe notes)
  • Remove eggplant from skillet and drain on a rack or paper towel
  • Place cooked eggplant in lightly oiled baking dish; drizzle pasta sauce over eggplant; top with fresh Mozzarella cheese
  • Turn oven to “broil” setting, or 500ºF
  • Broil eggplant until mozzarella cheese begins to melt; remove from oven
  • Serve with warm pasta or marinara sauce; garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese

Notes

  • The oil should be around 312-315ºF and fill about 1″inch in the skillet (the amount of oil will depend upon the size of your skillet.)
  • If you use plain breadcrumbs, add 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasonings per 2 cups of breadcrurmbs
  • After the second batch, you may need change the oil; (the breadcrumbs start to burn after the 2nd batch); allow the oil to heat up before adding more eggplant 
  • If you want a “casserole” version of this dish, place the crispy eggplant in a lightly oiled baking dish, drizzle some pasta sauce over and finish with fresh Mozzarella; broil until cheese melts

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 20gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1242mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 832IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 432mgIron: 3mg
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