Crispy Eggplant Fries are so addicting! Breaded, lightly fried eggplant strips topped with parmesan cheese and dipped into marinara sauce. We love eggplant recipes around our house, especially our Dad’s Eggplant Parmesan recipe that’s tastes just like home.
Why You’ll Love This Eggplant Fries Recipe
Even people who say they don’t like eggplant still love these Crispy Eggplant Fries. What’s not to like? Crispy fried eggplant dipped in marinara sauce with a cheesy bite from shaved parmesan.
- Crazy Delicious: When you want to put out an appetizer that everyone is going to go crazy for, try these eggplant fries. Just as addicting as french fries, IMO.
- Unique Recipe: Not everyone has tried fried eggplant strips like this recipe. It’s fun to have your friends try something new.
- Fun For Parties: Try setting out different dipping sauces like this Bang Bang Sauce or our popular Awesome Sauce!
How To Make Eggplant Fries
We’ll go over the basic steps here, but scroll down to the recipe card for complete instructions.
- Peel and Slice: Start by peeling and slicing a medium eggplant, about one pound. Slice the eggplant into 1/2 inch thick slices, lengthwise and then again into “french fry” looking strips. Try not to make the strips too thin like a shoestring french fry because they will fall apart.
- Bread: Set up a standard breading station like you see above. One dish with flour, one with an egg wash and another with breadcrumbs. In this case we’re adding parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb dish.
- Fry: Once the eggplant strips have been breaded, fry them in a skillet with oil until brown and crispy on all sides. Place onto a paper towel lined plate and immediately top with shaved parmesan cheese.
Other Ways To Cook Fried Eggplant
An air fryer also works great for making these crispy eggplant fries. You’ll want to spray the breaded eggplant with an oil based spray before adding them to the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, turning over and spraying with oil halfway between cooking.
You can also use the oven, they won’t be as crispy as the air fryer or traditionally frying, but still delicious. See the recipe card below for instructions.
Can You Reheat Fried Eggplant?
Definitely! Store these eggplant fries in the refrigerator and then heat them up in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. They’ll crisp up perfectly again and be ready to serve. Alternately, you can reheat in an air fryer.
Do You Have To Peel Eggplant?
Another question a lot of people ask us is if you have to peel eggplant before frying it. That is totally up to you, we prefer to peel our eggplant because the skin can be tough sometimes.
If you have a smaller eggplant the skin is usually thinner and will be more tender, but again, it’s a personal preference.
Can You Make This Recipe With Zucchini Instead Of Eggplant?
Absolutely! We love making zucchini fries too. Just follow this same recipe and swap out the eggplant for zucchini, peeled or unpeeled and you’ll have another amazing appetizer recipe. Marinara sauce is also a great dipping sauce for zucchini fries too!
Looking For More Appetizer Recipes?
- Sausage Bread
- Breaded Shrimp Recipe
- Crab Balls
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Puff Pastry Pizza Pockets
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Crispy Eggplant Fries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeThese Crispy Eggplant Fries are perfect for appetizers! These “fries” can be made in a skillet with oil, baked or air fried!
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten with a splash of water
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- Canola or vegetable oil for cooking
- Kosher salt
- Shredded parmesan cheese for garnish
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Peel and cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices lengthwise. Stack the eggplant slices and cut into strips that resemble the size of french fries. You’ll want these a little on the thicker side because they will fall apart if they are sliced too thin.
- Place the flour, egg wash and breadcrumbs into separate bowls. Dip a strip of eggplant into the flour, tapping off the excess, then the egg wash, letting the excess drop off and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere to the eggplant strip. Repeat with the remaining eggplant strips.
- Add oil to a skillet over medium heat. You’ll want just enough oil to coat the bottom of your skillet in a thin layer. Add the breaded eggplant in a single layer to the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the skillet or the eggplant won’t get crispy.
- Cook the eggplant strips, turning as they cook, for about 5 minutes until all sides are brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and season with salt and parmesan cheese. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
- Serve the eggplant fries with marinara sauce for dipping.
To Bake:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the breaded eggplant onto a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spray the eggplant with cooking spray or an oil mister and then bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, turning over (and re-spraying with oil) in between cooking.
To Air Fry:
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray air fryer base (or racks) with non stick cooking spray. Place the eggplant onto the racks or air fryer base in a single layer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, turning over and spraying in between cooking.
- Season with salt and parmesan cheese immediately after removing from the air fryer.
Recipe Notes
You can keep the eggplant warm in a 300 degree oven until ready to serve. Any leftover eggplant fries can also be reheated in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
So now it’s 2020 and I found this recipe (on like page 12 of google search). Was looking for a new one that was genuinely crispy and flavorful without obscuring the eggplant flavor or turning it into mush beneath coating. Thank you! You have perfected eggplant fries.
Thanks so much for scrolling all that way! We’re so glad you enjoyed them!
Sweet! Always trying to find eggplants recipes that don’t, excuse me for saying, just plain suck. It’s such a hit or miss ingredient. Can’t wait to try these out.
I totally agree, eggplant is a hit or miss- but please try these fries, I promise they are delicious!