Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

Susan Olayinka/Mashed By Susan Olayinka AND Mashed Staff/Updated: March 28, 2022 5:44 pm EST

Eggplants are simply amazing. You can bake, roast, grill, stir-fry, or braise them, to name just a few. “Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables as it is so versatile,” says recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge. “It can adapt to any seasoning or texture, which is why I loved making this.”

Eggplant is also a staple in Italian cuisine. It can be served as a main course, as in eggplant parmesan, or as an accompaniment, as in this easy baked breaded eggplant. “This would make for a good side dish for an Italian meal like spaghetti or a hearty pasta,” says Olayinka. “The texture is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s so good.”  This recipe has the added perk of reducing the amount of oil you’d use in the fried version, making it a little healthier. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make this baked breaded eggplant recipe at home. According to Olayinka, her recipe is “definitely beginner-level.”

Gather your ingredients for the baked breaded eggplant

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

To make the baked breaded eggplant, you will need, of course, an eggplant. You will also need two eggs, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 3 ½ tablespoons salt (plus more for sweating the eggplant), 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, and some rapeseed oil spray. 

While Olayinka uses a specific kind of oil spray, you can also use other types of oil, like coconut, olive, or vegetable oil. 

Prepare the eggplant

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

Since the estimated total prep time for this baked breaded eggplant recipe is about 25 minutes, you’ll want to get going on prepping your eggplant right away. First, rinse it, then trim the ends and slice the eggplant into ½-inch discs. That will be the ideal thickness for crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside baked eggplant slices. 

Next, grab a paper towel and place it on the chopping board, then place the eggplant discs on top.

Slice the eggplant and sprinkle with salt

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

While waiting for the eggplants to dry out, prepare the breading ingredients.  Grab a mixing bowl and combine the dry ingredients: breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, and all-purpose flour.

In another mixing bowl, crack the eggs and break them up with a fork or whisk. Then check your eggplants and see if they have started releasing water. You should see droplets forming on top of the slices and the paper towel should be damp. If not, wait another 5 to 10 minutes. 

Remove the excess water from eggplant discs

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

When the eggplant discs have started releasing their moisture, place them in a colander and rinse them well. You don’t want all that excess salt to end up in the finished dish, especially since you’ll be adding more salt to the breading.

Pat the eggplant discs dry using paper towel and squeeze each disc gently to get rid of any excess water. Now you’re ready to bread them.

Mix the dry ingredients and whisk the eggs

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Dip each piece of eggplant into the whisked egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. As you finish dipping each one, place it on the parchment- or foil-lined baking tray. When all the discs are breaded and on the tray, spray each disc with rapeseed oil. 

“Once you get the hang of breading, it is very easy,” says Olayinka.

Dip eggplant discs into the egg and the breadcrumb mixture

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

All that’s left is to place the baking tray in the oven and bake at 375 F for about 25 minutes. When the eggplant pieces are cooked and the breading is golden brown, remove the tray from the oven and place the eggplant discs on a serving dish.

Garnish them with the chopped parsley, and you’re done! They’re definitely best eaten while hot and crispy.

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

4.9 from 32 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, this healthy baked breaded eggplant recipe is the versatile side dish you’ve been waiting for.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 Servings

Total time: 50 minutes

					Ingredients

1 eggplant 3 ½ tablespoons salt, plus more to drain moisture from discs 2 eggs ½ cup breadcrumbs ½ cup grated parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 10 sprays rapeseed oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

					Directions

Trim the end of the eggplant and slice it into ½-inch discs. Line a cutting board with paper towel and place the discs on top. Sprinkle the discs generously with salt and let them sit for about 20 to 30 minutes to draw out the water in the eggplant. In a small mixing bowl, whisk two eggs with a fork or a whisk. In a second mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 3 ½ tablespoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour.Place the eggplant in a colander and wash it under running water to remove the salt. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towel and gently squeeze it to remove excess liquid. Dip each eggplant disc into the whisked egg followed by the breadcrumb mixture, then place each slice carefully on a parchment- or foil-lined baking tray. Spray each disc with rapeseed oil. Bake at 375 F for 25 minutes. Place on a serving dish and top with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 300

Total Fat 14.3 g

Saturated Fat 5.5 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 123.5 mg

Total Carbohydrates 27.1 g

Dietary Fiber 6.5 g

Total Sugars 7.9 g

Sodium 609.9 mg

Protein 17.0 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






											Rate this recipe

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

Susan Olayinka/Mashed

By Susan Olayinka AND Mashed Staff/Updated: March 28, 2022 5:44 pm EST

Eggplants are simply amazing. You can bake, roast, grill, stir-fry, or braise them, to name just a few. “Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables as it is so versatile,” says recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge. “It can adapt to any seasoning or texture, which is why I loved making this.”

Eggplant is also a staple in Italian cuisine. It can be served as a main course, as in eggplant parmesan, or as an accompaniment, as in this easy baked breaded eggplant. “This would make for a good side dish for an Italian meal like spaghetti or a hearty pasta,” says Olayinka. “The texture is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s so good.”  This recipe has the added perk of reducing the amount of oil you’d use in the fried version, making it a little healthier. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make this baked breaded eggplant recipe at home. According to Olayinka, her recipe is “definitely beginner-level.”

“Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables as it is so versatile,” says recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge. “It can adapt to any seasoning or texture, which is why I loved making this.”

Eggplant is also a staple in Italian cuisine. It can be served as a main course, as in eggplant parmesan, or as an accompaniment, as in this easy baked breaded eggplant. “This would make for a good side dish for an Italian meal like spaghetti or a hearty pasta,” says Olayinka. “The texture is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s so good.” 

This recipe has the added perk of reducing the amount of oil you’d use in the fried version, making it a little healthier. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make this baked breaded eggplant recipe at home. According to Olayinka, her recipe is “definitely beginner-level.”

Gather your ingredients for the baked breaded eggplant

To make the baked breaded eggplant, you will need, of course, an eggplant. You will also need two eggs, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 3 ½ tablespoons salt (plus more for sweating the eggplant), 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, and some rapeseed oil spray. 

While Olayinka uses a specific kind of oil spray, you can also use other types of oil, like coconut, olive, or vegetable oil. 

While Olayinka uses a specific kind of oil spray, you can also use other types of oil, like coconut, olive, or vegetable oil. 

Prepare the eggplant

Since the estimated total prep time for this baked breaded eggplant recipe is about 25 minutes, you’ll want to get going on prepping your eggplant right away. First, rinse it, then trim the ends and slice the eggplant into ½-inch discs. That will be the ideal thickness for crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside baked eggplant slices. 

Next, grab a paper towel and place it on the chopping board, then place the eggplant discs on top.

Next, grab a paper towel and place it on the chopping board, then place the eggplant discs on top.

Slice the eggplant and sprinkle with salt

While waiting for the eggplants to dry out, prepare the breading ingredients.  Grab a mixing bowl and combine the dry ingredients: breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, and all-purpose flour.

In another mixing bowl, crack the eggs and break them up with a fork or whisk. Then check your eggplants and see if they have started releasing water. You should see droplets forming on top of the slices and the paper towel should be damp. If not, wait another 5 to 10 minutes. 

Grab a mixing bowl and combine the dry ingredients: breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, and all-purpose flour.

In another mixing bowl, crack the eggs and break them up with a fork or whisk. Then check your eggplants and see if they have started releasing water. You should see droplets forming on top of the slices and the paper towel should be damp. If not, wait another 5 to 10 minutes. 

Remove the excess water from eggplant discs

When the eggplant discs have started releasing their moisture, place them in a colander and rinse them well. You don’t want all that excess salt to end up in the finished dish, especially since you’ll be adding more salt to the breading.

Pat the eggplant discs dry using paper towel and squeeze each disc gently to get rid of any excess water. Now you’re ready to bread them.

Pat the eggplant discs dry using paper towel and squeeze each disc gently to get rid of any excess water. Now you’re ready to bread them.

Mix the dry ingredients and whisk the eggs

Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Dip each piece of eggplant into the whisked egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. As you finish dipping each one, place it on the parchment- or foil-lined baking tray. When all the discs are breaded and on the tray, spray each disc with rapeseed oil. 

“Once you get the hang of breading, it is very easy,” says Olayinka.

“Once you get the hang of breading, it is very easy,” says Olayinka.

Dip eggplant discs into the egg and the breadcrumb mixture

All that’s left is to place the baking tray in the oven and bake at 375 F for about 25 minutes. When the eggplant pieces are cooked and the breading is golden brown, remove the tray from the oven and place the eggplant discs on a serving dish.

Garnish them with the chopped parsley, and you’re done! They’re definitely best eaten while hot and crispy.

Garnish them with the chopped parsley, and you’re done! They’re definitely best eaten while hot and crispy.

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

4.9 from 32 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, this healthy baked breaded eggplant recipe is the versatile side dish you’ve been waiting for.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 Servings

Total time: 50 minutes

					Ingredients

1 eggplant 3 ½ tablespoons salt, plus more to drain moisture from discs 2 eggs ½ cup breadcrumbs ½ cup grated parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 10 sprays rapeseed oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

					Directions

Trim the end of the eggplant and slice it into ½-inch discs. Line a cutting board with paper towel and place the discs on top. Sprinkle the discs generously with salt and let them sit for about 20 to 30 minutes to draw out the water in the eggplant. In a small mixing bowl, whisk two eggs with a fork or a whisk. In a second mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 3 ½ tablespoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour.Place the eggplant in a colander and wash it under running water to remove the salt. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towel and gently squeeze it to remove excess liquid. Dip each eggplant disc into the whisked egg followed by the breadcrumb mixture, then place each slice carefully on a parchment- or foil-lined baking tray. Spray each disc with rapeseed oil. Bake at 375 F for 25 minutes. Place on a serving dish and top with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 300

Total Fat 14.3 g

Saturated Fat 5.5 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 123.5 mg

Total Carbohydrates 27.1 g

Dietary Fiber 6.5 g

Total Sugars 7.9 g

Sodium 609.9 mg

Protein 17.0 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






											Rate this recipe

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

4.9 from 32 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, this healthy baked breaded eggplant recipe is the versatile side dish you’ve been waiting for.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 Servings

Total time: 50 minutes

					Ingredients

• 1 eggplant

• 3 ½ tablespoons salt, plus more to drain moisture from discs

• 2 eggs

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 10 sprays rapeseed oil

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

   				Directions
  

• Trim the end of the eggplant and slice it into ½-inch discs.

• Line a cutting board with paper towel and place the discs on top.

• Sprinkle the discs generously with salt and let them sit for about 20 to 30 minutes to draw out the water in the eggplant.

• In a small mixing bowl, whisk two eggs with a fork or a whisk.

• In a second mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 3 ½ tablespoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour.Place the eggplant in a colander and wash it under running water to remove the salt.

• Pat the eggplant dry with paper towel and gently squeeze it to remove excess liquid.

• Dip each eggplant disc into the whisked egg followed by the breadcrumb mixture, then place each slice carefully on a parchment- or foil-lined baking tray.

• Spray each disc with rapeseed oil.

• Bake at 375 F for 25 minutes.

• Place on a serving dish and top with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 300

Total Fat 14.3 g

Saturated Fat 5.5 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 123.5 mg

Total Carbohydrates 27.1 g

Dietary Fiber 6.5 g

Total Sugars 7.9 g

Sodium 609.9 mg

Protein 17.0 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						







											Rate this recipe

Healthy Baked Breaded Eggplant Recipe

4.9 from 32 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, this healthy baked breaded eggplant recipe is the versatile side dish you’ve been waiting for.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 Servings

Total time: 50 minutes

4.9 from 32 ratings

Fill 202

							Print

Prep Time

25

minutes

Cook Time

Servings

3

Total time: 50 minutes

Nutrition

Calories per Serving 300

Total Fat 14.3 g

Saturated Fat 5.5 g

Trans Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 123.5 mg

Total Carbohydrates 27.1 g

Dietary Fiber 6.5 g

Total Sugars 7.9 g

Sodium 609.9 mg

Protein 17.0 g

							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
						






							The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.