Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (2024)

5.0 from 27 votes

Crispy, thin fried eggplant slicesdipped in a beer batter and deep fried to perfection (no bread crumbs, no eggs required for this easy recipe).

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (1)

Who doesn’t love crispy fried veggies? I know I do! If we are talking about fried artichoke hearts or these crispy fried eggplant chips I am all for it! Such a perfect simple fried eggplant recipe with amazing results! They’re made with just a few simple ingredients – medium sized eggplants, some oil for frying, a batter made with beer and flour, some dried herbs. No bread crumbs or anything else needed!

I usually have stuffed eggplants or eggplant parmigiana, but once I have discovered these chips that are so easy to make, there is no better way to enjoy one of my favorite vegetables! When they’re nice and crispy, they’re absolutely irresistible. I often find myself eating way more than I intended to! But that’s OK, because they’re so healthy and nutritious.

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (2)

If you’re looking for a new snack or a delicious appetizer to try, or if you’re just looking for a new eggplant recipe, give these crispy fried eggplant chips a try. I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do!

Table of Contents

Ingredients

  • all purpose flour (for a gluten free option replace the traditional flour with a gluten free preferred type)
  • beer
  • dried oregano
  • medium-sized eggplant – choose firm eggplants and cut into thin slices. You can also use Chinese eggplants, if available, as they contains fewer seeds than normal eggplants
  • salt and black pepper
  • dried Italian seasoning
  • grated lemon rind
  • olive oil for frying
  • optional: parmesan cheese, garlic powder
Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (3)

How to makeFried Eggplant Slices?

Crispy Fried Eggplant Chips are slices of eggplant that have been placed in a large skillet with hot oil in a single layer (or air fryer, if preferred) and fried on medium-high heat until they are crispy. They are a great alternative to potato chips and can be a healthy snack option.

To make crispy fried eggplant chips, start by slicing an eggplant into thin slices. You can either leave the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference. Add 1 teaspoon salt on them and leave it for 20 minutes to get all the moisture out. Pat with paper towel the surface of the eggplant slices to remove any moisture excess. Next, heat up some oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Then, add the eggplant slices to the pan and fry them for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Once they are done, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve them drizzled with some Ranch dressing or with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (4)

What to serve with fried eggplant chips?

First up, how about a creamy tzatziki dip? Made with yogurt, cucumber, and fresh herbs, this dip is refreshing and delicious. The coolness of the tzatziki is a nice contrast to the warm, crispy eggplant chips.

First, you can’t go wrong with a classic marinara sauce. The rich tomato sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy, salty eggplant chips. You could even sprinkle a little bit of Parmesan cheese on top for some extra flavor.

Finally, for a lighter option, consider pairing your eggplant chips with a fresh Greek salad.

For something a little bit different, you could try a roasted red pepper dip. This dip is sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy, making it a great complement to the savory eggplant chips. You could even add a little bit of cumin or smoked paprika for some extra depth of flavor.

Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could make a spicy harissa dip. This North African chili paste is bold and flavorful, and it pairs really well with the crispy texture of the eggplant chips. Just be sure to taste it before serving, as it can be quite spicy!

Whatever you decide to serve with your crispy fried eggplant chips, I hope you enjoy every delicious bite of this great appetizer!

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (5)

How to store eggplant chips

  1. Let them cool down completely: Before storing your fried eggplant chips, make sure they have cooled down completely. This will help prevent condensation and keep them crispy.
  2. Use an airtight container: Transfer the chips to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure the container is completely sealed to prevent moisture from getting in.
  3. Avoid stacking or overcrowding: Arrange the eggplant chips in a single layer in the container, and avoid stacking or overcrowding them. This can cause them to become soggy or lose their crispiness.
  4. Store in a cool, dry place: Store the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as this can cause the chips to become soggy.
  5. Consume within a few days: Fried eggplant chips are best consumed within a few days of making them. After this time, they may start to lose their texture and flavor. If you want to keep them for longer, consider freezing them instead.
Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (6)

FAQ

How do you fry eggplant without it getting soggy?

You need to cut the eggplant into thin slices. The thinner the slices, the faster they will cook and the less time they’ll spend in the oil. Sprinkle salt over the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 20 minutes. This will draw out excess moisture from the eggplant and prevent it from getting soggy. After 20 minutes, pat the eggplant dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture and salt.

Heat up a good amount of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be hot enough that the eggplant sizzles when you add it to the pan.

When the oil is hot, add the eggplant slices in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the eggplant will steam instead of fry.

Cook the eggplant for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggplant from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.

Do you have to peel the eggplant (aubergine) before frying?

Absolutely not!The eggplant (aubergine) skin is entirely edible. When selecting your eggplant for this recipe look for those young ones, smaller and thinner, their skin is tender.

There is no need to tell you what a crowd-leaser appetizer, theseGreek Fried Eggplant (Aubergine) slices are! You can even serve them as side dish. You have to try them next time you are having a barbecue or friends over. Forget about regular potato chips. This is such an easy recipe for a quick way to enjoy crispy eggplant slices

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (7)
Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (8)

Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs)

Recipe by Adore Foods

5.0 from 27 votes

Crispy, thin fried eggplant slicesdipped in a beer batter and deep fried to perfection (no bread crumbs, no eggs required for this easy recipe).

Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy

Print

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Total time

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 all purpose flour

  • 2/3 cup 2/3 beer

  • 1/2 tbsp 1/2 dried oregano

  • 1 tsp 1 grated lemon rind

  • 2 2 medium sized eggplant, cut into thin slices

  • 2 tsp 2 salt

  • olive oil for frying

  • 1 tsp 1 dried oregano

Directions

  • Prepare the eggplant by placing the slices in a strainer over a bowl, sprinkle salt and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your batter. Place flour into a medium sized bowl and gradually whisk in the beer until the mixture is smooth. Add dried oregano and lemon rind and season with some salt and pepper.
  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water, pat dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Dip eggplant slices into batter, shaking away the excess. Deep fry eggplant in batches, turning occasionally for about 5 minutes or until golden. Place the fried eggplant slices on paper towel to remove the oil excess.
Crispy Fried Eggplant Recipe (no breadcrumbs) (2024)

FAQs

Should you salt eggplant before breading and frying? ›

In most cases, that's just not necessary. After an extended series of experiments, I found you only need to salt eggplant if you're going to be frying it, and even then only sometimes. If you're cooking it in some other way — roasting, grilling, steaming — salting has no effect.

Why isn't my eggplant crispy? ›

The best eggplant is caramelized and crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. This is achieved by giving the cubes or slices enough room to brown while they cook. If you overcrowd them in the pan or baking sheet, they'll steam instead of brown and you'll never get that caramelization.

Does eggplant need to be soaked before frying? ›

Typically eggplant behaves like a sponge, soaking up heroic amounts of oil when fried. The Terzo Piano chefs use this trick to prevent heavy aubergines: Before frying, soak the strips of eggplant in an ice water bath. They will absorb water and drop in temperature.

How do you keep eggplant from absorbing oil when frying? ›

Cut the eggplant lengthwise instead of crosswise. This reduces the amount of oil that the eggplant absorbs during frying. 2. Salt the eggplant slices and let them rest for about an hour.

Do I rinse eggplant after salting? ›

Furthermore, adding a good amount of salt will help tenderize the eggplant and keep its shape. Let the eggplant sit: Place the seasoned eggplant over a colander for 30 minutes to an hour. Once beads of moisture start to appear, rinse your eggplant slices under cold water and remove excess salt.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking? ›

Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today's eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it's not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour. This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking. This will further soften the eggplant preventing it from soaking up fat while cooking.

Why is my fried eggplant mushy? ›

Mushy veggies are also often the result of overcooking. When the interior is loaded with moisture, you have to cook it for much longer to evaporate all of the water and avoid the interior having the unappealing, spongy, raw texture that eggplant and zucchini are notorious for.

When should you not eat eggplant? ›

When looking at the exterior of the eggplant, check the stem and cap. Both should be green and fresh-looking. If they are starting to fade in color, that's an indicator that the vegetable may be spoiling. You'll also want to toss the eggplant if there is any mold on the stem or cap.

How do you prepare eggplant before frying? ›

Start by salting the eggplant slices and letting them rest before cooking. The salt draws some of the interior moisture to the surface of the eggplant. A thorough pat with paper towels before breading the eggplant is essential to getting rid of that moisture and preventing soggy slices.

Why do people soak eggplant in milk? ›

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

Why is my fried eggplant bitter? ›

The white part of an eggplant, also known as the "flesh," can sometimes turn bitter when cooked due to the presence of a naturally occurring compound called solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that is found in many members of the nightshade family of plants, which includes eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

What kind of oil do you use to fry eggplant? ›

In a deep, heavy skillet heat 1/2-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the eggplant pieces, in batches if necessary, for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown.

How do you cook eggplant so it's not mushy? ›

How to prep an eggplant. One of the secrets to cooking tender-but-never-mushy eggplant is salt. First, Stilo cuts her eggplant into the desired shape (rounds, cubes, planks, etc.), and then sprinkles the eggplant evenly with a generous amount of salt.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar? ›

Why do you soak eggplant in water and vinegar? Soaking eggplant in water and vinegar helps remove some of the vegetable's natural bitterness. This step also helps preserve some of the skin's color so it stays a vibrant purple even after cooking.

Do you need to salt eggplant for eggplant parm? ›

Modern eggplant has had bitterness nearly bred out of it, so many cooks have given up the practice. Salting the slices for eggplant Parmesan is not to prevent bitter flavors, but to season the eggplant itself and, at least in my experience, keep the eggplant from sucking up too much of the olive oil from frying.

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