Welcome to a recipe that will completely change the way you think about eggplant! If you're looking for a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious appetizer, you've found it. Our Fried Eggplant in Crispy Breading turns this humble vegetable into a star. Each piece is perfectly tender on the inside with an irresistibly crunchy, golden-brown coating. Paired with a simple yet flavorful dipping sauce, this dish is perfect as a crowd-pleasing snack, a side dish for dinner, or even a light meal. It's so good, it might just convert even the most skeptical eggplant eaters!
Fried eggplant in crispy breading
Ingredients for Fried Eggplant in Crispy Breading
- 1 medium eggplant
- 1 chicken egg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- salt, red pepper to taste
- vegetable oil for frying
Ingredients for the Sauce
- 4 tablespoons smetana (a type of sour cream) or plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt, sugar, paprika to taste
How to Make Fried Eggplant in Crispy Breading
Slice the eggplant into rounds, then cut the rounds in half.
Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt, mix gently, and let it sit for a few minutes.
Crack a chicken egg into a separate bowl and sprinkle with salt.
Slice the eggplant into rounds, then cut the rounds in half. If the eggplant is large, you can cut it into thick sticks.
Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt, mix gently, and let it sit for a few minutes for the salt to be absorbed and the vegetable to soften. If any liquid is released in the process, drain it.
In a separate bowl, crack a chicken egg and sprinkle with salt. Whisk the mixture with a fork until smooth.
Place the sliced eggplant in a bag with flour, close it tightly, and shake to coat the moist vegetables.
Put the all-purpose flour into a bag. Add the sliced eggplant to the bag, close it tightly, and shake to coat the moist vegetables with flour. This is the first layer of breading, which will help the egg and breadcrumbs adhere well.
Mix the dry breading.
Dip the flour-coated eggplant pieces first into the beaten egg, then into the breadcrumb and sesame seed mixture.
Place the prepared eggplant on a cutting board.
In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, black or white sesame seeds, and a pinch of paprika or hot red pepper. Mix the dry breading ingredients.
Dip the flour-coated eggplant pieces first into the beaten egg, then into the breadcrumb and sesame seed mixture. Use a spoon to cover the eggplant with the mixture, as the breading can be sticky.
Place the prepared eggplant pieces on a cutting board. At this stage, you can store them in the refrigerator for a few hours and fry them just before dinner.
Place the eggplant into the hot oil.
Pour refined vegetable oil for frying into a skillet. Heat the oil for 5 minutes. Place the eggplant into the hot oil. This recipe is also suitable for a deep fryer.
Fry the eggplant until golden brown.
Place the cooked eggplant on a paper towel.
Making the dipping sauce.
Fry the eggplant until golden brown. Flip and fry on the other side until it’s also nicely browned.
Place the cooked eggplant on a paper towel to let the excess oil be absorbed.
To make the dipping sauce, combine low-fat smetana (a type of sour cream) or unsweetened yogurt with tomato paste and extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt, a pinch of sugar, and sweet paprika to taste. Mix well, and the sauce is ready. If you prefer a spicy sauce, replace the paprika with ground chili.
Arrange the fried eggplant on lettuce leaves.
Arrange green lettuce leaves on a plate. Place the fried eggplant on top of the leaves. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
And there you have it—a simple yet spectacular dish that's sure to become a new favorite! These crispy eggplant bites are best enjoyed hot, right out of the pan, when their crunch is at its peak. Don't hesitate to get creative with the dipping sauce; a garlic aioli, a spicy sriracha mayo, or even a fresh tzatziki would also be fantastic. This recipe is a wonderful way to celebrate simple ingredients and transform them into something truly special. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful appetizer. Happy cooking!
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