Baked Eggplant Fries Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Eggplant Shake Shake Fries
A Recipe will Make You Dance and Laugh

This baked eggplant fries recipe is too much fun to skip.  I swear that you will have a big smile walking out of the kitchen before dinner starts.

Total Time: 35-40 Minutes
Prep Time: 20 Minutes  
Inactive Cook Time: 15-20 Minutes  
Serving: 3-4

My hubby always loves something crispy.  When it comes to eggplant, it is a must.  Otherwise, he will not bother.  This recipe is an improved version of my deep-fried eggplant that I used to make.

Besides, one of the steps was inspired by our trip visiting Hong Kong, my hometown, back in 2012.  At that time, Hong Kong McDonald's just rolled out shake-shake fries.  What it did was to give you a pack of seasoning with herbs and spices and an extra paper bag.  So, when a customer sat down before enjoying his/her meal, he/she transferred the fries and the seasoning into the paper bag.  Close the bag up and start to shake, shake, shake, shake....until it reached to his/her satisfaction.  My husband pointed out that there was a big smile on everyone's face doing that shake-shake motion.

After several trials of this baked eggplant fries recipe, I realized that it was very time-consuming to coat every fry.  Then, it came into mind that I could shake everything up in a paper bag.  That's how it came about.  So, before we start, make sure you have some upbeat music on because you are going to have a lot of fun making this baked eggplant fries recipe.   Are you ready? 

CHEF NOTES

Eggplant is low carb.  This side dish is perfect for anyone who is on low-carb or Keto diet.

You surely can serve some dipping sauce on the side.  If you want to stick with low carbs, use ranch salad dressing.

Eggplants oxidize and turn brown quickly, just like regular potatoes and avocados.  Therefore, they must be covered with paper towels.

How to Pick an Eggplant?

Eggplant skin is edible.  

I grew up with very slim eggplants and their skin is super tender.  However, the typical eggplants you see in America are much bigger in size and the skin could get tough.

To pick a good eggplant, make sure that it is firm when touched.  If you see any soft spot or bruise on it, stay away from it.  It is because these soft spots on the eggplants could be tricky.  Sometimes, it could be just a spot that you can easily cut it away.  Sometimes, it could be a spot that ruin the entire eggplant.

Baked Eggplant Fries Recipe and Directions

Ingredients
1.5 lbs (681g) Eggplant (peel and discard skin. Cut eggplant into the shape and size of regular golden fries.)
1 - 1 1/2 cup (8oz / 202g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1tsp Salt (divided)
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
2 Paper Bags (regular lunch bags are good)
Garlic Salt
Dry Parsley Flakes (optional for garnish only)

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with foil and add double layers of paper towels on top.
2. Single layer eggplant fries on paper-towel lined baking sheet, sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt evenly on eggplant and cover the fries with 2 more layers of paper towels on top.
3. Let fries sit in room temperature for about 10 minutes.  The salt will draw the moisture out.
4. In a small mixing bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper together.
5. Put one paper bag into another to make it double layers.  Transfer Parmesan mixture into your double-layered paper bag.
6. Press the paper towel gently on top of fries to soak up the moisture.
7. Transfer eggplant fries, separate into several batches, into paper bag where Parmesan cheese mixture is.  
8. Seal paper bag and shake to let the fries coated with Parmesan mixture.  Repeat these 2 steps until all eggplant fries are well coated.
9. Use the same baking sheet.  Discard all damp paper towels used earlier and line a parchment paper on top of foil.
10. Single layer eggplant fries with space between each of them on parchment-paper lined baking sheet .
11. Bake in 425F (218C) oven for 15-20 minutes until fries are crispy.
12. Transfer fries to serving plate, sprinkle garlic salt and parsley flakes for garnish.  Enjoy immediately!

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Baked Eggplant Fries Recipe Steps with Photos

3 main ingredients, the rest are all in your pantry already.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Add 2 layers of paper towels on top.

Peel eggplant and discard skin.

Cut eggplant into thick slices.

Cut eggplant about the size of golden fries.

Sprinkle salt on eggplant, cover with paper towel and sit in room temperature for 10 minutes.

While waiting, mix the garlic Parmesan coating.

Transfer coating into the paper bag.

Add eggplant fries into the same bag.

Shake, shake, shake....until fries are well coated.

Add parchment paper on top of the same baking sheet.

Single layer fries on baking sheet.

Bake in 425F (218C) oven for 15-20 minutes.

Add garlic salt and parsley. ENJOY immediately!

Serve This With: 

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