Baked Vegan Eggplant Fries

Baked Vegan Eggplant Fries

We love Fries, any shape, any size! This is a favorite for all ages and makes any main dish that much more comforting. Its probably one of those first foods we give our kids for treats and is a most ask for side dish. But changing up the veggie we have as the fry is great but unfrying it is even better. This heart friendly recipe will make your tummy very happy with its extremely crunchy outside and delish veg inside. Pair it with a creamy and refreshing dipping sauce along side and you have a pair made in heaven. Serve with a main dish of your choice but a burger would be a great choice and a nice cold beverage and you are all set for a dinner of crunching, munching, and dipping. Enjoy!

Baked Vegan Eggplant Fries

Ingredients

-1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into strips
-1 1/2 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-1 cup panko bread crumbs

-1/4 cup corn meal
-2 teaspoons The Vegg, prepared with 1/2 cup hot water
-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
-2 teaspoons dried parsley

-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

-1 1/2 teaspoon vegan dry ranch seasoning mix

-Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste

(Dipping Sauce Recipe, Below)

Directions

Heat oven to 450 Degrees

Grease a cookie sheet with oil and set aside.

Oiled Cookie Sheet

Cut ends off the eggplant. 

Eggplant with Ends Cut Off & Tools

Peel the eggplant until all the skin is removed.

Peeled Eggplant

Slice eggplant in half.

Halved Eggplant

Then into 1/4 inch thick slices. 

1/4 Inch Thick Slices

Lay each slice on the cutting board and cut into 1/4 inch strips. 

Slicing Eggplant 

Slicing Eggplant into Strips

Sized Eggplant Fries

Be sure to cut all the strips the same size so they cook evenly.

Sliced Eggplant Fries

Mix breadcrumbs, parsley, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper together in a shallow bowl.

Eggplant Fry Breading

In another shallow bowl or plate, place prepared The Vegg.

The Vegg for Dredging

Set up your ingredients so you can dredge the eggplant and place onto the greased cookie sheet.

Dredging Stations

One at a time, dip eggplant into egg, being sure to let excess egg drip off. 

Eggplant dredged in The Vegg

Next, liberally coat the eggplant into the breadcrumb mixture. 

Dredging Eggplant Fries

Dredged Eggplant Fries

Place on the cookie sheet. Repeat until all eggplant strips have been coated.

Pre-Baked Eggplant Fries

Bake for 20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown, flipping the fries half way through. Once they are baked completely, remove from the oven and serve along side your main dish and enjoy!

Vegan Sesame Chili Oil Chive Mayo Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

-1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise

-1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

-2 to 4 drops chili oil, to taste (more if you want it spicy) 

-1/2 Tablespoon Chives, freshly chopped
-1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice

-Salt & Black or White Pepper, to taste

Combine mayonnaise and oils and juice in a small bowl, whisk until blended. Taste to season, add more salt and pepper if desired, add in chives and blend together. Serve with fries but this also makes a nice sandwich spread as well. Enjoy!

Fries with Vegan Dipping Sauce

-Amy