Eggplant Fries Recipes

EGGPLANT FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix cheese, wheat germ and seasonings., Trim ends of eggplant; cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-in.-thick slices. Cut slices lengthwise into 1/2-in. strips. Dip eggplant in eggs, then coat with cheese mixture. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray., Spritz eggplant with additional cooking spray. Broil 4 in. from heat 3 minutes. Turn eggplant; spritz with additional cooking spray. Broil until golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately with pasta sauce.

PARMESAN EGGPLANT FRIES WITH BASIL KETCHUP

Steps:

• For the ketchup: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, basil, salt and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 30 minutes. Remove the garlic, cool to room temperature and refrigerate until ready to use (can be refrigerated for up to 1 week).
• For the fries: Place two racks in the upper and middle thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Insert a wire rack into a large baking sheet.
• Whisk together the flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Lightly beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Combine the panko and the Parmesan in another medium bowl.
• Slice off both ends of the eggplant. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and slice each half into 1/2-to-3/4-inch thick layers, then cut each layer into 1/2-inch sticks. After all of the fries are cut, drop them into the flour and lightly toss them to coat evenly. Working in batches of a few at a time, dip the floured fries into the egg and then into the panko mixture. Place the fries on the wire rack in the baking sheet, leaving an 1/8-inch space between each fry.
• Bake the fries until they are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Season the fries with the remaining salt and serve with Basil Ketchup.

CRISPY EGGPLANT FRIES

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Slice it into 1/4-inch-thick sticks about 3 inches in length.
• Put about 2 inches of oil in a deep, heavy saucepan and heat to 370 F (188 C).
• Put the flour in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg with the water. Put the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
• Sprinkle the eggplant pieces lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Roll the eggplant pieces in the flour, shake off any excess, and then dip into egg mixture. Let excess egg drip off before rolling the strips in the breadcrumbs to coat.
• Fry the coated eggplant pieces in the hot oil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, turning them as they cook.
• Transfer the eggplant strips to paper towels to drain and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Serve hot with lemon halves or a dip, if desired.

AIR FRYER EGGPLANT FRIES

Steps:

• Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds, then cut each round into 1/4-inch sticks. Pat dry.
• Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Pour flour into a second shallow bowl. Beat eggs in a third bowl.
• Dip eggplant sticks in flour, then in beaten eggs, and then coat with bread crumb mixture. Place on a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Preheat an air fryer to 370 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Place eggplant sticks in basket, making sure they are not touching; cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes. Shake basket and continue cooking to desired crispiness, an additional 4 to 6 minutes.