If you love eggplant parmesan, try these crispy, gluten-free baked eggplant fries with garlic aioli or marinara sauce!
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Why You'll Love This
It's a classic for a reason: it’s simple and delicious. This gluten-free Eggplant Parmesan Fries recipe keeps the same basic ingredients—eggplant, tomato sauce, parmesan, and breadcrumbs—but offers a crispy texture that traditional casserole can’t match. Oven-baked and crunchy, these fries are flavorful and can be dipped in marinara if you like. They’re a quick, gluten-free, and vegetarian twist on the classic dish that packs a lot of flavor.
What is Eggplant Parmesan?
Traditional eggplant parmesan is an Italian casserole made with round eggplant slices coated in flour and breadcrumbs, then layered with marinara and parmesan cheese. Unlike this fry recipe, which uses long slices for a crispy texture, the casserole's layered method results in a softer dish, often found at authentic Italian restaurants.
Ingredients
This recipe features a mix of seasonings for the tastiest Eggplant Parmesan Fries and Garlic Aioli.
- Eggplants: Cut into ½-inch thick, 3-inch long fries for even cooking.
- Salt: To reduce moisture.
- Olive oil: Helps coatings stick.
- Gluten-free flour: Part of the coating.
- Nutritional yeast: Boosts cheesy flavor.
- Large eggs: Helps coatings adhere.
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs: For a crispy outer layer.
- Freshly grated Parmesan: Mixed with breadcrumbs.
- Italian seasoning: Added to breadcrumbs.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a kick.
- Fresh parsley: For garnish.
- Aioli: Optional dipping sauce.
- Marinara: Classic dipping option.
- Lemon wedges: For a tangy touch.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substituions & Variations
If you need to adjust the recipe, here are some tips:
- Oil: Use any oil you prefer, but olive oil works best with this dish.
- Eggplant Alternatives: You can substitute eggplant with russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, though it will change the flavor.
- Dipping Sauces: Get creative with sauces, but the recommended ones complement the fries best. Ketchup is also a simple option.
This recipe hasn't been tested with substitutions or variations not listed above. Adding or replacing ingredients may alter the results.
Equipment
You'll only need basic kitchen essentials for this recipe: three shallow bowls for dredging, a knife and cutting board for slicing eggplant, and a large baking sheet for baking.
Instructions
Let's prep the eggplant!
First, preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut two medium eggplants into ½-inch thick, 3-inch long fries, with or without skin based on your texture preference.
Second, spread the slices on the parchment, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with a paper towel to ensure a crispy texture.
Third, transfer the eggplant slices to a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. This helps the flour adhere during dredging . With the eggplant prepped, proceed to the next steps.
In these next steps, we’ll prepare to dredge our eggplants in three parts: flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese.
Fourth, mix 1 cup of gluten-free flour with nutritional yeast in a shallow bowl to enhance the cheesy flavor. Set aside.
Next, whisk three large eggs in a bowl (or up to six, depending on eggplant size). This egg wash helps the breadcrumbs and parmesan stick.
Finally, combine breadcrumbs, freshly grated parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl. Mix well for an even coating. Arrange the bowls in this order: flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumb mixture, for easy dredging.
Homemade Italian Seasoning
For homemade Italian seasoning, combine:
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
This seasoning is essential for the recipe and versatile for salads, pastas, sauces, and meats.
Before we get to the dredging process, it's first important to note the importance of going slow. For even coating, dredge each eggplant slice individually.
Dredging
First, start by coating in the flour mixture using a fork. Transfer to the egg wash, then to the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring even coverage each time. Place each coated slice on a baking sheet.
Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway for even crispiness. Let the fries cool for 10 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Coating your eggplant fry in the flour mixture.
Next, dipping the same fry into the egg mixture to create a nice glue for the last coating.
Finally, our last breadcrumb mixture to give the fries the preferred crispy texture!
How all of your eggplant fries should look after fully dredging each and every one before baking in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe makes about 24 eggplant fries. Serve with various sauces, including the recommended ones!
Top tip: Making The Garlic Aioli
For dipping sauces, pair eggplant fries with homemade garlic aioli or classic marinara. Marinara enhances the traditional eggplant parm flavor, while garlic aioli offers a vibrant twist.
Garlic Aioli Recipe:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Combine garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and yogurt. Stir in garlic powder, pepper, salt, and olive oil. Blend until creamy. This aioli is versatile and complements many dishes, including brisket sliders and grilled artichokes.
Storing
Eggplant Parmesan Fries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To reheat, use an air fryer or oven to keep them crispy. Microwaving is quicker but may result in a less crispy texture.
FAQ
Ensure you remove excess moisture from each fry to achieve the best texture. This step is crucial for perfect fries.
Simply double the ingredients to increase the serving size—no other modifications needed.
What to Pair With These Fries
For a perfect spread, check out my other appetizer recipes to serve with these fries!
Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy24
Fries30
minutes30
minutesThese crispy, gluten-free Eggplant Parmesan Fries are sure to be the best appetizer around!
Ingredients
2 medium eggplants, cut into fries (½ thick and 3in long)
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
½ cup nutritional yeast
3 large room temperature eggs
1 ¼ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup freshly minced parsley, for serving
Aioli, for serving
Marinara, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the eggplants into fries, then spread them on the parchment paper and sprinkle salt over the eggplant. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then dab gently with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Add the eggplant slices to a large bowl and drizzle in the olive oil before tossing to incorporate.
- Combine the flour and nutritional yeast in a shallow bowl. Then set to the side.
- Whisk the eggs together in a bowl, then place the bowl next to the flour mixture.
- Finally, combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes in a shallow bowl before setting next to the whisked eggs.
- Dredge one eggplant slice at a time in the flour mixture before transferring to the whisked eggs and covering to coat the whole slice.
- Carefully place the slice in the shallow bowl and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat this process with the rest of the eggplant slices. Once all the eggplant slices are fully dredged, place the center rack of the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes. At the halfway point, use a spatula to carefully flip each fry to ensure they cook evenly.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving with your favorite sauce!
Recipe Video
Notes
- If you have leftovers, pop them back in the oven or air fry for five minutes at 375 to warm up
[…] Eggplant Parmesan Fries: If you love traditional eggplant parm, these crispy fries are for you! These gluten-free, oven baked fries are the perfect appetizer to serve alongside garlic aioli. This also makes for a fun side to the carbonara! […]