If you love crispy eggplant, this crispy baked Eggplant recipe is for you. Eat plain, or top with marinara, parmesan, and fresh basil!! These eggplant slices make a great side dish or appetizer.
Have you ever used your waffle iron for anything besides waffles? I can’t wait to share this new recipe idea with you. It is one of a few new creative waffle iron recipes coming soon! This recipe was a spur-of-the-moment creation…I got a new waffle maker and wanted to see what I could do with it. This eggplant is quick, easy to make, and so crispy because it is cooked in a low-fat waffle iron.
These baked eggplant slices are low fat because they are baked…but they are crispy like they were fried! This gluten free eggplant recipe would also make a delicious appetizer if you used the skinny Italian eggplant instead of the big purple ones. You make this recipe fun new way…on your waffle iron!! If you love eggplant as much as I do, you will want to try this easy Roasted Eggplant Red Pepper Dip, too!
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My inspiration for this recipe came from my kids complaining that I never use my waffle iron. I have more than the average food geek’s worth of kitchen toys, but I always forget about the waffle iron. You may also like this Curried Sweet Potato Hash Brown Waffle recipe made on a waffle iron!
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Eggplants – Get wide eggplants so you get good-sized slices.
- Parmesan Cheese – Use grated, not shredded.
- Eggs- Use size large.
- Marinara – You can use store-bought or try my homemade gluten free marinara recipe.
- Gluten Free Panko – You can buy panko or try my easy gluten free bread crumbs recipe to make your own.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Set up your station and preheat your waffle iron.
Step 2: Add the panko bread crumb topping, dried spices, and seasonings to a bowl and whisk to blend.
Step 3: Dip the eggplant slices into the egg mixture and flip it over to coat the other side.
Step 4: Take the egg-coated eggplant and put it into the bowl of seasoned panko.
Step 5: Flip the eggplant to coat both sides with panko. Use a fork to press down the panko on the slice.
Step 6: Place the eggplant onto the waffle maker and close the lid. Cook for 4-5 minutes until your eggplant is crispy.
Step 7: Add marinara, parmesan, and fresh basil. Your healthy eggplant parmesan is ready to eat!
Waffle Iron Tips
1. You will need your waffle iron to have a high-temperature setting.
2. Depending on your waffle iron, you may have to push down on it for a couple of minutes to soften the eggplant enough for the lid to stay flat.
3. Spray coconut oil or olive oil on the waffle iron to give a nice crisp to the gluten free panko coating.
4. Remember, the waffle iron is hot, so add and remove the eggplant carefully!
5. Don’t forget to unplug the waffle iron when you are done cooking with it!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I sliced my eggplant very thin so it would cook more evenly in the waffle maker. My slices are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
These eggplant slices will stay in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat your eggplant in the oven. Bake at 350º F for 10 minutes to reheat.
More Gluten Free Recipes:
- Crispy Baked French Fries with Curry Dipping Sauce
- Crispy Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritters
- Creamy Roasted Eggplant Dip
- Gluten Free Zucchini Ribbon Lasagna Alfredo
- Stuffed eggplant boats
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which gf bread crumbs you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Crispy Gluten Free Baked Eggplant Slices
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup gluten free panko * see note
- 2 large eggplants
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 cup marinara
- â…“ cup parmesan
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron.
- Slice the eggplant thinly.
- Add eggs to a bowl and whisk to blend. Set aside.
- Add gluten free panko and spices to another bowl and whisk to blend.
- Take an eggplant round. Dip in the egg, turning it to coat both sides.
- Next, dip the egg covered eggplant in the panko mixture.
- Spray the waffle iron with cooking oil. (I used avocado oil.)
- Drop the eggplant round in the waffle iron. Cook 5-7 minutes until crispy.
- Top with your favorite marinara sauce, parmesan, and fresh basil. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- If you do not have a waffle iron, feel free to pan fry these eggplant slices.
- You can use gluten free panko, or make your own gluten free bread crumbs.
- These eggplant slices will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container.
- You will need your waffle iron to be on a high-temperature setting.
- Depending on your waffle iron, you may have to push down on it for a couple of minutes to soften the eggplant enough for the lid to stay down flat.
- Spray coconut oil or olive oil on the waffle iron to give a nice crisp to the gluten free panko coating.
- Remember the waffle iron is hot so add and remove the eggplant carefully!
- Don’t forget to unplug the waffle iron when you are done cooking with it!
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
