Skip to main content

Crispy Eggplant Bites

We've had these before, and they were even better this time around.  When I saw the mini eggplants in our CSA pickup a few weeks ago, my first inclination was to make mini eggplant parm, because that is by far the most searched recipe on my site.  I thought it might be ready for an upgrade, but then I got sidetracked, as I so often do these days.  In any case, these crispy eggplant bites are delicious.  We had them as part of a caprese salad, but they would also be excellent as an hors d'oeuvres with a tomato or pesto sauce for dipping.

Crispy Eggplant Bites

3 small eggplants, cut into cubes
kosher salt
1/2 cup flour
2-3 eggs, whisked
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian herbs (oregano, basil, parsley)
Cooking spray

Put cut eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with kosher salt.  Leave for at least an hour.  This takes out some of the extra moisture, as well as the bitterness.  If your eggplant are more mature, or have spent a few extra days in the fridge, peel them.  If they are young and fresh, feel free to leave the skin on.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
Set up three bowls for your breading station.
In the first bowl, put flour.  Add the eggplant and toss liberally to coat.  You can do this in batches depending on the size of your bowl.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggplant, tapping away excess flour, and put into a bowl with beaten eggs.  Stir around until each piece is coated in egg. 
Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggplant from the egg wash, allowing excess to drain, and put into bowl with breadcrumbs and herbs.  Toss until coated.
Put eggplant pieces on baking sheet. 
Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping once, or until golden brown and crispy. 




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My big sister and the egg sandwich that might cure her cancer

I usually like to keep things light hearted here At Home With Ann.  Simple recipes, awkward jokes, toddler antics and kitchen fiascos.  But we all experience times in life when we are thrown for a loop and face something that stops us in our tracks.  I, like a classic control freak, tend to keep things to myself.   Everything is under control, see? My house is clean, dinner is cooked, the dishes are done, I'm on schedule, I blow dried my hair, I don't need help.  See?  See?   But this time it's not about me, it's not something I can control, and wishing it away won't actually make it go away. Me, my Mom and Sarah last Summer Three years ago my sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with a form of leukemia called AML (acute myeloid leukemia).  My reaction was typical.  This happens to other people.  Not my 33 year old sister who lives by the ocean, gets tons of fresh air and exercise, and eats healthier than anyone who has ever entered Whole...

Peanut Sauce Spaghetti Squash Bowls

I know, it's been a while. Turns out wrangling three little boys doesn't leave a lot of time for recipe writing and food photos. We still eat, though, and pretty well! Mostly I share quick recipes and meals on my Facebook page At Home With Ann , so please follow me there! I love spaghetti squash as a substitute for pasta. It's healthy, way lower in carbs and higher in vitamins.  It's also easier to prep than zucchini noodles, and I think it stands up to hearty sauces better.  I simply stab it with a sharp knife a few times, and roast it in a 400 degree oven for an hour, or until a knife easily slides through the skin.  Let cool, cut open, discard seeds and shred with a fork.  Spaghetti squash with meatballs is in our regular dinner rotation, but there is often a lot of leftover squash.  This easy vegetarian dish is a perfect quick dinner or lunch, and if your kids don't go for the peanut sauce, there is plenty of cut veggies for them to eat. Peanut Sauce Spa...

Not Really Engagement Chicken

There is an urban legend of the Engagement Chicken , a dish that if made for your boyfriend, he will be so impressed with your domestic skills he'll propose. I've been married for a year and a half, so I'm not putting it to the test, but I thought it might be a good way to make my first attempt at roasting a whole chicken.  After research, I decided to take aspects of recipes from  Ina Garten , the  Pioneer Woman , and good old Joy of Cooking  . The first step of making roast chicken is by far the hardest.  You have to remove the neck and innards and rinse the raw bird.  Because he is a good person, my husband did that part for me while I covered my eyes and ran out of the kitchen. After it was all clean and patted dry with paper towels, I stuffed a halved lemon and 4 cloves of garlic inside, and coated the entire chicken with olive oil.  After coating with oil, I sprinkled liberally with salt, pepper, sage, and thyme. The best part is that th...