Crispy fried eggplant is the ultimate summer meze. This is the simplest of recipes, yet one of the tastiest! Learn how to make the crispiest fried eggplant ever.
If you love this crispy fried eggplant, you will also love the crispy fried potatoes, saganaki with tomato-pepper chutney or the spicy feta dip!
Why this recipe sings
When I used to fry eggplant the slices would stay crispy for a second, right after the frying, and soon after they would be soggy and dripping with oil. On one of my trips back to my homeland I discovered the most amazing method of getting a great crispy fried eggplant for more than a second.
This recipe for fried eggplant could be considered unusual. The eggplants are thinly sliced and then go into a water-salt brine. The next step is a coating with a mix of flours. Right before frying, they are dipped into water for a second and lastly they fry in hot oil for a few minutes.
This method ensures a crispier delicious crust. The second dip in water seals the eggplant and does not allow much oil to be absorbed while frying. You can say that in a way, the coating is something between just flour and batter.
Here is what you need
- Eggplants. You can use your favorite variety. This recipe also works well with zucchini, and long horn peppers.
- All-purpose flour, corn flour, semolina flour. The combination of all three ensures achieving crispy veggies.
- Paprika, dried oregano and sea salt. Substitute the oregano with za’atar, dried Mediterranean spice mix, or Italian seasoning, and Aleppo pepper, freshly ground black pepper, chili flakes in place of sweet paprika. In truth this recipe is versatile, allows to experiment with your favorites spices.
- Sunflower oil. For frying. Substitute with any neutral oil or extra light olive oil.
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Here is how to make it
Fill a large bowl with water, and add two tablespoons of sea salt. and stir to dilute. Add the eggplant slices into the water.
Add in the eggplant slices and mix with your hands so the slices are coated with the flour mix.
When the oil is hot, take an eggplant slice, and dip it into the water…
Repeat for another four-five slices.
Remove from hot oil with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to drain any oil (or drain in the fryer wire basket).
Continue the process until all eggplant slices are fried.
Serve immediately with tzatziki, your favorite salsa, marinara sauce, or tomato chutney.
You may also like
Check out my Greek pantry staples
Cooked this? Rate this recipe! You can also leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!
WANT TO EAT LIKE A GREEK? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Crispy Fried Eggplant
Equipment
- 3 large mixing bowls
- fryer
Ingredients
- 3 medium-small eggplants sliced into 0.5 cm / 1/5 inch slices
- 2 liters water aproximatelly
- 1 cup corn flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup semolina flour
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
You also need
- sunflower oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice the eggplants into 0.5 cm / 1/5 inch slices.
- Fill a large bowl with water and add two tablespoons of sea salt. Stir to dilute.Add the eggplant slices into the water.
- In a large bowl, mix the flours with one tablespoon of dried oregano, one tablespoon of sea salt, and one tablespoon of sweet paprika. Mix well.Add in the eggplant slices and mix with your hands to make sure the slices are coated with the flour mix.
- Fill another bowl with water.
- Heat the oil in your fryer.
- When the oil is hot, take an eggplant slice, dip it into the water, and immediately very carefully drop it into the hot oil. Use tongs if you need to.Do the same for another batch of four-five slices. Fry slices until they are golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any oil. Repeat the process until all eggplant slices are fried.
- Serve immediately with tzatziki, your favorite salsa, marinara sauce, or tomato chutney.
Notes
- This recipe also works well with zucchini.
- Substitute the oregano with za’atar, a dried Mediterranean spice mix, or Italian seasoning,
- Use Aleppo pepper, red chili flakes, and freshly ground black pepper instead of sweet paprika.
- You can use sunflower oil, the neutral oil of your choice, or extra light olive oil.
Oh man this fried eggplant is so delicious, my Italian-American grandma used to make something similar to this one so it makes me think of her, thank you!
These “chips” are so easy and so delicious! Even the picky eaters loved them. Thank you!
I love fried zucchini chips so I wanted to give these a try! Who would have thought that fried eggplant chips would be so good! Nice and crispy, I dipped these in ranch!! Super yummy!
I love that! Thank you Amanda! x Jenny
Fried zucchini chips, so good and tasty. We make them from time to time but have never paired them with tzatziki. Thanks for the tip, can’t wait to try the pair together.
You will love them with tzatziki. Thanks so much, Rosemary!
I loved your fried eggplant recipe! My picky eaters couldn’t get enough, thanks!
That’s great, thanks, Natalie!
I love reading that! Thank you! x Jenny
Oh wow this cooking technique is so clever! Who knew dipping the eggplant slices in water would create a crisper result?? Sounds so counterintuitive yet works like magic. I’ll be making these crispy eggplant slices again and again this summer!
I was as surprised as you when I discovered this technique. Thanks so much Marrie!
It does work, doesn’t it! Thank you so much Marie! x Jenny
I had an eggplant and no idea what to do with it. Your recipe was perfect! I can’t wait to make it again. Thanks!
This sounds delicious. I have a bunch of eggplants in my garden right now. This recipe would be perfect to use some up!
The best recipe for crispy eggplant! Thank you so much! Crunches like a potato chip! Dipping in the water made it work!
It’s the best, isn’t? Thank you so much Adrienne!
x Jenny
This turned out well! I had to use King Arthur gluten free measure-for-measure flour mixed with cornstarch. The slices never really browned, but they were still crisp and delicious. I made eggplant parm subs for my husband and son, which they absolutely loved, and just dipped my slices in marinara. Thanks for this simple and delicious recipe!
That’s awesome! Thanks so much Julie!
x Jenny