Crispy Eggplant Fries
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These eggplant fries are coated in panko and parmesan and baked in the oven until they're wonderfully crispy. They make a great family-friendly side dish, simple appetizer, or snack. You'll NEVER guess that they're made with eggplant!
If you like unique fry recipes, also try our carrot fries and spicy sweet potato fries!
Eggplants, which are a member of the nightshade family, just like potatoes, make excellent fries. With a light breading, they crisp up nicely in the oven while turning tender and creamy on the inside. French fries can be made with all sorts of vegetables from carrots to zucchini and even avocado. But these baked eggplant fries are truly our favorite.
You'll find that this eggplant fries recipe is easy to make and loved by everyone. Even our youngest taste testers (who don't normally enjoy eggplant) LOVE this recipe!
How to bake eggplant fries
Making eggplant french fries is surprisingly simple. Here's how we do it:
- Prep your ingredients. Begin by setting up a breading station. Whisk the eggs in one bowl then combine the panko, parmesan, and spices in another bowl.
- Bread the eggplant. We find that it works best (is the least messy) to use one hand to dip the eggplant in the egg and the other hand to dredge it in the panko mixture.
- Oil. Now, place the breaded eggplant sticks on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle the tops with a little more oil. Cooking spray also works great for this step!
- Bake. Bake the fries for 15 minutes, turning them over once so they get nice and crispy on both sides. Serve the eggplant baked fries with some dipping sauce on the side!
Dips to serve with eggplant fries
Just like regular fries, breaded eggplant fries taste even better with a dip. You can keep it simple with some ketchup or mayonnaise (aioli), or try one of these:
Recipe FAQs
Can I make eggplant fries in an air fryer?
Yes, it's easy to make air fryer eggplant fries! Bread the eggplant slices as per the recipe then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket (making sure they're not touching each other) and cook them for 15 minutes, turning them over once. You'll likely need to cook these in batches.
What kind of eggplant works best for fries?
We like to use globe eggplants (Mediterranean eggplants) for this recipe. If you have access to long, Asian eggplant, they will also work. But skip the small, Thai eggplants as they're too tiny to cut into french fry shapes.
How long do eggplant fries last?
These fries are best eaten shortly after they come out of the oven. If you have any leftovers, they can be reheated until crispy in your oven.
Can I make eggplant fries ahead of time?
Eggplant fries can be breaded up to 8 hours in advance and kept on a baking sheet (covered) in your refrigerator until you're ready to bake them.
Can I make these gluten-free?
This eggplant fries recipe can easily be made gluten-free. Simply substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Eggplant Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko (gluten-free if needed)
- Ā½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (can sub dried oregano)
- Ā¾ teaspoon garlic salt (see notes)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 medium eggplants (cut into (Ā½ inch) strips)
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Set an oven rack in the top third of your oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a baking sheet with oil. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the panko, parmesan, oregano, and garlic salt. In another bowl, whisk the two eggs with a small splash of water.1 cup panko, Ā½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, Ā¾ teaspoon garlic salt, 2 large eggs
- Dredge the eggplant strips first in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture. (Using 1 hand for the egg and the other for the breadcrumbs makes this a lot less messy) Place the eggplants on the oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little more oil.2 medium eggplants, Olive oil
- Place the eggplant fries in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until they are golden and crispy, turning them over once about halfway through baking.
- Serve the crispy eggplant fries with some dipping sauce on the side ā see notes for some suggestions.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our eggplant recipes!
This recipe is part of our Healthy Super Bowl Recipes series.
