Best Chinese Eggplant Fries Recipes

AIR FRYER EGGPLANT FRIES

Steps:

• Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds, then cut each round into 1/4-inch sticks. Pat dry.
• Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Pour flour into a second shallow bowl. Beat eggs in a third bowl.
• Dip eggplant sticks in flour, then in beaten eggs, and then coat with bread crumb mixture. Place on a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Preheat an air fryer to 370 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Place eggplant sticks in basket, making sure they are not touching; cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes. Shake basket and continue cooking to desired crispiness, an additional 4 to 6 minutes.

DEEP FRIED CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH SPICY GARLIC SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water and a teaspoon of salt. Cut the eggplant into lengths about 2" long and 1/2" thick. Immediately submerge pieces in the salted water in order to prevent the eggplant from browning. You can use a bowl or small plate to weigh the eggplant down.For best results, let it soak for 20 minutes before draining well. You can also do this ahead of time, letting it soak in the fridge for up to two days. Make sure the eggplant is well drained before the next step.
• In a large bowl, mix the cornstarch coating ingredients. Add the eggplant and mix with your hands so eggplant pieces are completely coated.
• Prepare your stir-fry ingredients. Mix the cornstarch slurry and set aside. Once your eggplant is fried, you'll want to immediately start the stir-fry so be ready.
• Fill a heavy bottomed pot with 3" - 4" with oil. Heat to 365°F; ensure the oil is hot enough by using a thermometer. Fry the eggplant in small batches to maintain the high temperature, turning the pieces after a minute so they cook evenly. Fry each batch about 3 minutes or until the exterior is just turning a little golden. Drain the eggplant on a paper towel-lined rack.
• After the eggplant is all fried, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add black bean sauce and garlic. Stir-fry for 1 minute; don't let the garlic burn.
• Add scallions and red chillies; stir-fry about 30 seconds until the scallions turn bright. Add sugar, soy sauce, and vegetarian mushroom sauce. Give the cornstarch slurry a mix, then add it to the pan as well, stirring quickly. Turn off the heat as the sauce thickens.
• Add the eggplant and fold gently with a spatula to distribute the sauce. Garnish with chopped scallions and/or cilantro and enjoy!

CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC SAUCE (EGGPLANT STIR-FRY)

Steps:

• Chop the eggplant into 1-inch cubes, salt, and set aside for 20 minutes. I like to do this in a colander to naturally drain. You can also lightly pat the pieces with a kitchen towel to remove any excess water (and salt).
• Finely chop the chilies. You can adjust the amount of heat by using less chili and/or removing the seeds from the chilies.
• Finely chop the spring onion and grate or mince the garlic and ginger (or use ginger paste and garlic paste).
• Prepare the stock by combining the stock cube with water and just lightly crush the peppercorns. I did this in a mini mortar and pestle, but you could also place them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat with the crushed peppercorns. Once hot, remove the larger pepper pieces and add the chili, garlic, and ginger, stirring for a minute.
• Add the eggplant and stir-fry for a further two minutes.If you want more of a smoky flavor, you can first grill the eggplant until slightly crispy and smoky. Then add it to the pan in the last few minutes of cooking the sauce. Alternatively, lightly toss the eggplant in cornstarch before pan-frying in a bit of oil (without the sauce) for stovetop slightly smoky flavor.
• Add the stock, sugar, soy, and miso, and stir to combine. Then cook for between 10-15 minutes, or until softened with a reduced sauce.If you want the sauce to be thinner, add a little more water or stock to your preference.
• Give the Chinese garlic sauce a taste and adjust any ingredients (salt, sugar, chili, etc.), Finally, top with the green onions and some sesame seeds before serving. This Chinese eggplant stir-fry is best enjoyed over rice or noodles for a simple, healthy meal!
• Make ahead: Since this recipe can be stored for 4-5 days, it's great for making ahead. For an even quicker meal, you can pre-grill/cook the eggplant and prepare the sauce (reduces and thickened then store in a jar in the fridge) 2-3 days in advance. To prepare the meal, add the eggplant to a pan until heated, then add the sauce and mix until warm- add a little additional water if needed for the Chinese garlic sauce.Fridge: store any leftovers in the refrigerator, covered for between 4-5 days.Reheat: reheat the garlic eggplant dish in the microwave or on the stovetop, optionally with a splash of water to thin the sauce once more.