Description
Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant is a delicious and crispy side dish or appetizer featuring tender eggplant slices coated in a savory mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, then baked to golden perfection. This recipe offers a flavorful and healthier alternative to fried eggplant dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Eggplant Preparation
- 1 large eggplant
Breading Mixture
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the Eggplant: Wash the eggplant thoroughly and trim off the green stem end. Optionally peel the skin if you prefer a more tender texture. Slice the eggplant into ½-inch thick disks. Arrange the slices in a colander or on a cooling rack over a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and let them rest for at least 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture and bitterness.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: While the eggplant is resting, melt the unsalted butter in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, shredded Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Coat Eggplant Slices: Pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Dip each slice first into the melted butter, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well. Place the breaded slices onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Bake the Eggplant: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the coated eggplant slices for 15 minutes. After this, flip each slice carefully and continue baking for an additional 7 minutes. The eggplant should develop a golden brown color and the breadcrumb coating should be crisp.
- Serve: Remove the baked eggplant slices from the oven and serve immediately. They make a wonderful side dish, appetizer, or can be used as a component in dishes like eggplant Parmesan.
Notes
- Salting the eggplant is essential to remove excess moisture and reduce bitterness.
- Peeling the eggplant is optional and depends on your texture preference.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor.
- This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil and use vegan Parmesan alternatives.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 4-5 slices)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant, Baked Eggplant Recipe, Crispy Eggplant, Italian Side Dish, Vegetarian Appetizer
