Eggplant Parmesan is a staple at just about every neighborhood Italian restaurant. And for good reason. It is crispy, cheesy and even though it is fried, you feel it’s a least a little healthy because anything with the word eggplant in it has to be. Right? At least that is what I was telling myself while I was devouring these Eggplant Parmesan chips. Just think of it as all the crispy goodness of traditional Eggplant Parmesan, only in bite size snack form.
Traditional Eggplant Parmesan is loaded with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. While it is no secret that I have a crazy obsession with mozzarella, whenever I order Eggplant Parmesan, my favorite part has always been the crunchy eggplant sandwiched between. I find myself scraping off the other stuff just so I can enjoy the crunchy goodness. It is because of this that I thought that if I could just deconstruct the original recipe, and cut the eggplant into thinner, smaller slices, I might have a great snack on my hands. It fries up quickly, is crunchy, salty and as I recently found out, guests can’t keep their hands off of it.
gmax777
August 3, 2013 at 11:27 amI did the recipe as listed with just 2 little changes. I used a Greek seasoning mix I have before rolling in flour and used panko instead of bread crumbs (which I did not have handy). Excellent!
I like “cookies” suggestion of a marinara sauce to dip. My wife informed me we WILL be having this again.
Jeff
August 10, 2009 at 12:29 pmDes, how do you choose your eggplant? We avoid it because the few times we’ve tried to cook it at home it’s been incredibly bitter. I have no idea if that’s a cooking problem or an eggplant choosing problem.
Deseree
August 10, 2009 at 1:04 pmHey Jeff, I like to pick eggplants that are shiny, and firm with no soft spots. Soft spots on eggplants often mean that it will be bitter. The skin has also been known to be a bit bitter, but in this recipe you remove it so that helps with some of the bitterness. If you are still unsure about the bitterness, you can place the sliced eggplant in a colander and sprinkle it liberally with salt, place some plates on top and let drain for an hour or so. Then you can rinse it with cold water and pat dry. Hope this helps!
Kevin
August 4, 2009 at 5:52 pmThose eggplant chips look nice and golden brown and good!
Sheri
August 4, 2009 at 11:50 amYum!
Also works with yellow and/or green squash!
Fried is great- oven baked not to shabby
Jill
August 4, 2009 at 11:40 amYUM! These look so delicious! I NEED to try these ASAP! :)
Cookie
August 4, 2009 at 11:03 amI bet these would be great dipped in warm Marinara sauce!
Betsy
August 4, 2009 at 10:44 amNothing beats fried eggplant; it’s one of my favorite foods. If you want it to be even more crispy, try panko bread crumbs.
nina
August 4, 2009 at 8:09 amWe are on the same wave length with crumbed food!! I think I will try the eggplant next!!
Barbara
August 4, 2009 at 7:46 amSooooo instead of frying why not bake this deliciousness?? Then it would be guilt free.
michelle
August 4, 2009 at 4:13 amUm… I think I like any veggie that is fried – recent fave is green been “fries”. I’ve been trying to find a good recipe for eggplant that might actually make me like it, and this could be it!
Meeta
August 3, 2009 at 10:31 pmi love egglplant and i love cheesy batters! so this = huge hearts for me!
Rita
August 3, 2009 at 8:32 pmOMG, I would love that!
BAKING is my ZeN
August 3, 2009 at 6:33 pmDes, why didn’t I think of this! This makes a great appetizer for dinner parties. THANKS! :)
Jessie
August 3, 2009 at 4:53 pmuh oh another one with an addiction to mozzarella cheese! I have to admit it is one of my favorite cheeses. I love the crispy crust on the outside as well, these would be gone instantly at a party.