Best 4 Crispy Eggplant Tenders Baked Recipes

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Crispy Eggplant Tenders (Baked, Not Fried!)

Crispy eggplant tenders are a delicious and healthy plant-based alternative to traditional chicken tenders. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, these tenders are baked to perfection, resulting in a crispy outer coating and a tender, flavorful interior. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for a satisfying and guilt-free snack or meal.

This recipe article provides two variations of the crispy eggplant tenders: a classic version and a Buffalo-style version. The classic tenders are coated in a simple mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and spices, while the Buffalo tenders are coated in a spicy Buffalo sauce made with hot sauce, butter, and spices. Both versions are baked in the oven until golden brown and crispy.

In addition to the two main recipes, the article also includes a recipe for a homemade ranch dressing to serve with the tenders. The ranch dressing is made with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and a blend of herbs and spices. It's a creamy, tangy dressing that perfectly complements the crispy eggplant tenders.

Whether you're looking for a healthier alternative to chicken tenders or simply a delicious and easy plant-based snack or meal, these crispy eggplant tenders are sure to satisfy. With their crispy outer coating and tender, flavorful interior, they're a hit with both kids and adults alike. So gather your ingredients and preheat your oven, because it's time to make some crispy eggplant tenders!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CRISPY BAKED EGGPLANT



Crispy Baked Eggplant image

Baked eggplant is a great side dish or adapts well to a variety of other baked eggplant recipes!

Provided by Holly Nilsson

Categories     Side Dish

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ½-2 pounds eggplant (sliced ¼ inch)
salt
½ cup flour
4 eggs
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
⅓ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
1 lemon (use only the zest of 1 lemon)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon basil (fresh)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare two baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Slice eggplant about ¼ inch thick. Place on paper towel lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
  • Whisk eggs together in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, add the flour. In a third bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, lemon zest, garlic powder and basil. Set all three bowls aside.
  • After the eggplant has sat for 30 minutes, rinse well under cold running water well and pat dry.
  • Dredge each slice of eggplant first in the flour, then into the egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Place each slice of eggplant on prepared parchment lined pans.
  • Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for 5 minutes more or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 84 mg, Sodium 501 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

HOW TO COOK EGGPLANT: OVEN ROASTED EGGPLANT RECIPE



How To Cook Eggplant: Oven Roasted Eggplant Recipe image

Learn how to cut eggplant and how to roast eggplant slices in 3 EASY steps! This oven roasted eggplant recipe makes the perfect healthy side dish.

Provided by Maya Krampf

Categories     Side Dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 medium Eggplant ((~1 lb each))
1/4 cup Olive oil
1/2 tsp Sea salt
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/4 tsp Black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  • Slice the eggplant crosswise to make circles, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. Cut off the leafy end only after you are done slicing, so that you'll have more to grab onto as you slice.
  • Arrange the eggplant slices on an extra large baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Flip and repeat the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
  • Roast the eggplant slices in the oven for about 30-35 minutes, until soft and golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 295 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CRISPY EGGPLANT TENDERS (BAKED)



Crispy Eggplant Tenders (Baked) image

I really enjoy eggplant -just about any way I've tasted it. I bought an eggplant and wanted to think of an easy snack I could make with the eggplant. I thought to mysef, "Other than a dip, what different dish can I make with eggplant -either as a appetizer or side dish -and one that is not fried?" This is what I came up...

Provided by Pat Morris

Categories     Other Snacks

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

kosher salt water for soaking eggplant (this is an important step).
1 large eggplant, peeled, and cut into 2 inch pieces.*
1 jar(s) marinara sauce (or home-made)
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 c panko crumbs, crushed
1/2 c italian bread crumbs
3/4 c parmesan cheese, shredded
2 large beaten eggs

Steps:

  • 1. Place eggplant pieces in a large bowl; cover the eggplant pieces with salted water (1/4 cup Kosher salt** added to the water). If eggplant rises out of the water, weight it down with a plate or something to keep it submerged.
  • 2. Let the eggplant sit in the salt water for 45 minutes to an hour, while you do other things (Can sit in Kosher salt water overnight, if desired.). Please Note: Prep time stated does not include salt soaking time.
  • 3. In a quart-sized plastic bag (or on a plate), put in the flour and pepper; in another bag (or on a plate) combine the Panko crumbs, Italian bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese); then in a wide mouth bowl beat the eggs. Set all aside until the eggplant is ready to be removed from the salt water.
  • 4. Remove eggplant pieces from the salted water and set eggplant pieces on paper towels to drain -pat dry.
  • 5. Put the eggplant in the plastic bag containing the flour and pepper (several pieces at a time) and shake to coat with the flour.
  • 6. Remove eggplant from the bag and shake the pieces to remove excess flour.
  • 7. Dip the eggplant into the beaten eggs, coating both sides; let excess egg drip back into the bowl.
  • 8. Then, place the eggplant pieces into the Panko and Italian bread crumbs and the cheese mixture. Coat each piece, making sure each piece of eggplant has the mixture on both sides.
  • 9. After all the eggplant is coated, place on a hot cookie sheet or other flat pan that has been coated with a little oil.
  • 10. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes (turning once). Insert tip of sharp knife into a piece to test for doneness. If knife does not go in easily, return to the oven and cook about 3-4 minutes more.
  • 11. To serve, arrange on a serving platter and eat as is or use a Marinara sauce as a dip. Yummy snack!!! Enjoy.
  • 12. **I slice the eggplant in half lengthwise; then slice each half in half again and cut into 2 inch pieces.
  • 13. Note: If you have leftover tenders, you can use them to have Eggplant Parmesan the next day for lunch. Just wrap the leftover Eggplant Tenders in foil, and refrigerate. The next day (or later), place the tenders over cooked spaghetti noodles, and top with warmed tenders and spoon marinara sauce over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Yum!!

CRISPY BAKED EGGPLANT



Crispy Baked Eggplant image

This recipe is so quick and simple yet utterly delicious! If you like crispy food and eggplant, you're bound to like this one.

Provided by A Good Thing

Categories     Cheese

Time 20m

Yield 10 slices, approx., 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 large eggplant, peeled and cut crosswise in 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4-1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • In a small bowl stir together mayonnaise, dried onion, and salt.
  • In a shallow dish mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning (or just use Italian breadcrumbs).
  • Brush eggplant slices with mayonnaise mixture and then coat in breadcrumb mixture.
  • Place eggplant slices on a lightly oiled baking sheet or shallow baking dish.
  • Bake in hot oven for about 12 to 15 minutes turning about half way through.
  • Enjoy!
  • (This is a take-off from a recipe I have on a CD called "One Million of the World's Best Recipes", 2000).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.9, Fat 12.3, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 13.1, Sodium 518.3, Carbohydrate 21.6, Fiber 5.1, Sugar 5.7, Protein 5.2

Tips:

  • Slice eggplant thinly. This will help it cook evenly and become crispy.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the eggplant. This will prevent it from tearing.
  • Coat the eggplant slices in breadcrumbs, flour, and eggs. This will help them stay crispy and flavorful.
  • Bake the eggplant tenders at a high temperature. This will help them cook quickly and become crispy.
  • Serve the eggplant tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. They're great with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce.

Conclusion:

Crispy eggplant tenders are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack. They're also a great way to use up leftover eggplant. With their crispy coating and flavorful interior, these tenders are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a tasty and healthy snack, give crispy eggplant tenders a try. You won't be disappointed!

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