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    Home » Sides

    Roasted Eggplant

    Published: Apr 12, 2023 · by Nico Pallotta

    Jump to Recipe

    Roasted eggplant is an easy, delicious side dish you can serve with most mains or use to make other wonderful eggplant recipes.

    From easy stuffed eggplants to delicious eggplant pasta, from roasted eggplant dip to baked eggplant pizza, roasting eggplants is an essential cooking skill you'll want to master.

    roasted eggplant slices with garlic and olive oil seasoning
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • More Roasted Eggplant Recipes
    • Questions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • Recipe

    Check out our Best Eggplant Recipes

    There are many ways of roasting eggplants, and in this blog post, we'll share with your our favorite roasted eggplant recipe, plus a few variations so that you'll find one for any occasion.

    You can make the base recipe in 30 minutes with simple ingredients, enjoy it as a side dish, or use it to make other delicious recipes.

    Roasting in the oven at a high temperature will soften, brown, and slightly caramelize the eggplant, packing it with flavor.

    We then recommend drizzling the roasted eggplant with a simple chimichurri sauce made with olive oil, minced garlic, vinegar, and fresh parsley.

    The dressing's tangy, garlicky, and herby flavors will infuse the warm eggplant slices, making them irresistible.

    We'll also show you how to cut eggplant for roasting (slices, cubes, boats, and discs) and which is best for which recipe.

    Finally, we'll give you some ideas for what to do with roasted eggplant and share our favorite recipes that you can make with this delicious Mediterranean vegetable.

    roasted eggplant dice

    Ingredients

    ingredients for roasted eggplant

    Eggplant: we generally roast globe eggplants or Italian eggplants (dark purple, almost black, round, and thick) because that's the most common eggplant in our local supermarket.

    However, you can roast most eggplant varieties, including graffiti eggplants (bright purple with white stripes), Japanese and Chinese eggplants (long, thin, and purple), fairy tale eggplants (small, bright purple, and white), and white eggplant (the one that looks like an egg).

    Roast eggplants with the peel on. Eggplant peel is nutritious and gives the baked eggplant structure, preventing it from collapsing in the oven.

    Olive oil: try to use extra virgin olive oil for roasting as it has a richer and fruitier flavor than regular olive oil.

    It's also richer in polyphenols, making it stable at high roasting temperatures and healthier than most other oils.

    Salt & pepper: we recommend sea salt or kosher salt and a twist or two of freshly ground black pepper.

    Seasoning

    ingredients for chimichurri

    Extra virgin olive oil: as usual, we recommend sticking to extra virgin for the best flavor.

    Red wine vinegar: substitute white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.

    Parsley: we recommend flat-leaf parsley with eggplant. Substitute fresh mint or basil.

    Dried oregano: substitute with dried thyme or Italian seasoning.

    Salt & Red pepper flakes

    We mix these ingredients to make our quick chimichurri sauce with a tangy, zesty, herby, and garlicky flavor that will make your roasted eggplant irresistible.

    Alternatively, you can try our tahini sauce with a squeeze of lemon juice and parsley on top, chili oil, Italian salsa verde, or our vegan green goddess dressing.

    chimichurri in a bowl

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 430°F or 220°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Wash and dry the eggplant, remove the stem, and cut it into ⅓ inch (1 cm) discs.

    eggplant cut into discs

    Arrange the discs on the baking sheet, brush or drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper.

    eggplant slices on a baking tray with parchment paper

    Roast eggplant for 20 minutes, flip and roast for 5 to 10 more minutes, then transfer onto a serving platter.

    Eggplant discs should be golden, slightly browned, tender, and not shriveled and dry.

    Roasted eggplants on a plate

    To make the dressing, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, finely chopped parsley, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.

    ingredients for chimichurri in a bowl

    Drizzle the dressing on top of the eggplants while they are still hot.

    Ideally, set aside 10 to 15 minutes before serving to allow the condiment to infuse the eggplants.

    Roasted eggplant seasoned with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and vinegar

    Variations

    Baked eggplants with a crunchy top

    baked eggplant with crispy topping

    Follow the same instructions as above. Then, bake the eggplants for 18 minutes, take them out of the oven, and apply the breadcrumbs mixture on top.

    For the breadcrumbs mixture, you'll need the following:

    • ½ cup (70 grams) panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
    • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 minced clove)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

    Bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until the eggplants are fully cooked, and the breading mixture is golden brown and crunchy.

    Arrange onto a serving platter and sprinkle with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley and enjoy these crispy baked eggplant slices.

    Diced roasted eggplants

    Preheat the oven to 430°F or 220°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Wash and dry the eggplant and remove its stem. Dice eggplant into ¾ inch (2cm) cubes.

    cutting eggplant into dice

    Transfer onto a baking tray, arrange on a single layer without overlapping, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to spread seasoning.

    Tip: Optionally, add some fresh thyme, oregano, or dried herbs.

    diced eggplant on a baking tray

    Roast eggplant for 20 minutes, flip with a spatula, and roast for 5 to 10 more minutes, then transfer onto a serving platter.

    Drizzle with the same chimichurri seasoning as above.

    Tip: poke them with a fork to check for doneness. It should slide in easily.

    roasted eggplant dice

    Sliced roasted eggplants

    Preheat the oven to 430°F or 220°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Wash and dry the eggplant and remove its stem. Cut eggplant into ⅓ inch (1 cm) slices.

    slicing eggplants

    Transfer onto a baking tray, drizzle or brush with extra virgin olive oil, and add salt and pepper.

    eggplant slices on baking tray

    Roast for 20 minutes, turn and roast for 5 to 10 more minutes, then transfer onto a serving platter.

    Drizzle with the same seasoning as above.

    Tip: poke them with a fork to check for doneness. It should slide in easily.

    roasted eggplant slices on serving platter

    Roasted eggplant boats

    Preheat the oven to 430°F or 220°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and dry the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise.

    Score the flesh of the eggplant with the tip of a knife and season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, including between the cuts.

    scoring the flesh of the eggplant

    Arrange on the baking sheet; cut side down. Bake at 430°F or 220°C for 50 minutes until thoroughly cooked and tender.

    You can make the same recipe in the air-fryer at 400°F or 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes.

    roasted eggplant boats

    Arrange on a plate and serve with the same seasoning as above, drizzled inside the cuts, and optionally with tahini sauce, fresh lemon juice, and chopped flat-leaf parsley.

    Alternatively, check out our easy stuffed eggplant recipe for many more ideas.

    roasted eggplant boats with tahini sauce and lemon juice

    Serving suggestions

    Roasted eggplant can quickly help you build a healthy and hearty dinner. Here are some of our favorite pairings:

    • As a side dish: with pan-fried tofu or mushroom tofu.
    • In salads: such as warm couscous salad, chickpea salad, and rice salad.
    • As a topping on pasta: try it with easy pasta recipes such as penne arrabbiata or aglio e olio.
    • On a platter: with other grilled veggies like roasted zucchini, roasted bell peppers, and asparagus.
    • chickpea salad with a fork
      Chickpea Salad
    • couscous salad with fresh veggies
      Couscous Salad
    • garlic and oil pasta aglio olio
      Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
    • Arrabbiata in pan
      Penne Arrabbiata

    More Roasted Eggplant Recipes

    Eggplant pizza

    roasted eggplant pizza

    Perfect as a fun appetizer and finger food, kids love these! Make them with roasted eggplant slices topped with marinara sauce or a simple pizza sauce, mozzarella, or vegan cheese, and bake in the oven for five more minutes until the cheese melts.

    Here's the full recipe for our eggplant pizza.

    Pasta alla norma

    roasted eggplant pasta

    This Italian pasta dish with roasted eggplant cubes is one of the tastiest dishes ever.

    The eggplant is coated in a tasty tomato sauce and seasoned with fresh basil and red pepper flakes. It's easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Here's the full recipe for our eggplant pasta alla norma.

    Eggplant salad

    eggplant salad

    Eggplant salad is an easy and delicious recipe made with roasted or air-fried eggplant, chickpeas, and other crunchy seasonal vegetables.

    It's perfect as a make-ahead meal for potlucks and picnics. You can serve it as a side dish or add pasta and transform it into a light, healthy, and delicious main dish.

    Here's our eggplant salad recipe.

    Eggplant curry

    Eggplant curry with rice and lemon

    Buttery-tender roasted eggplant cubes in a creamy and tasty curry sauce are a winning combination.

    Serve it with white rice or naan bread for a delicious Indian-inspired dinner; it takes about 30 minutes to make.

    Here's our eggplant curry recipe.

    Stuffed eggplants

    roasted eggplant boats with vegan cheese

    A no-fuss recipe for stuffing roasted eggplant boats, perfect for summer and early autumn dinners.

    You can make this one with a melty and cheesy topping, a fresh topping of diced tomatoes and basil pesto, or a fresh and delicious couscous salad drizzled with tahini sauce. Either way, it'll be delicious.

    Here's the full recipe for our easy stuffed eggplant boats.

    Eggplant dip

    baba ganoush topped with fresh parsley, mint, and olive oil

    Probably the best dip ever; baba ganoush or eggplant dip is super easy to make from roasted eggplant boats. Enjoy this with warm pita bread, veggies, and other Middle Eastern appetizers.

    Here's the full recipe for eggplant dip.

    Caponata

    Caponata in a bowl with basil on top

    A Sicilian eggplant salad with a delicious sweet and sour flavor. We make it with roasted eggplant (instead of deep-fried) in less than 45 minutes. It's tangy, packed with umami and sweet and sour notes. It's one of the best eggplant dishes you'll ever try!

    Here's our caponata recipe.

    Questions

    Do you need to add salt before roasting eggplants?

    In the past, eggplants were left to sit in a colander with salt on top to remove bitterness and drain excess moisture.

    However, nowadays, you don't have to do this because eggplants are selectively bred not to be bitter.

    Just sprinkle a pinch of salt on the eggplants before roasting them as a seasoning, not remove water.

    However, if you are deep frying the eggplant and want drier, less juicy eggplant slices, you can salt them with coarse salt and let them sit for 1 hour to purge some excess water.

    Then rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel. Don't use fine salt because it penetrates the eggplant making it too salty.

    If you make roasted eggplants, there's no need to let them sit in salt because their water will evaporate while the slices cook in the oven.

    Do you leave the skin on eggplants when you bake it?

    Yes, leave the skin on eggplants when you bake them. The skin is where the nutrients are, and it also gives structure to the eggplants.

    How to cut eggplant for roasting?

    Discs: eggplant discs are ideal for serving as an appetizer or side dish, with a simple dressing of olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, and vinegar, or gratin with a crunchy breadcrumb mixture on top. Eggplant discs are also excellent for our breaded eggplant recipe, like in eggplant parmesan, and for making eggplant pizza.

    Cubes or dice: eggplant cubes are ideal for making other recipes, such as eggplant pasta (Italian pasta alla Norma), eggplant curry, caponata, eggplant pasta salad, and rice salad, for putting in a wrap or serving on crostini bread. Diced eggplant is also suitable as a side dish.

    Long slices: eggplant slices are ideal for making famous Italian eggplant parmigiana or for using in a sandwich. Eggplant slices are also suitable as a side dish.

    Boats: eggplant boats are ideal for making baba ganoush (eggplant dip), eggplant soup, stuffed eggplant with vegan pesto, tahini sauce, couscous salad, or even roasted eggplant cream cheese.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    Make ahead: roasted eggplant discs topped with our chimichurri sauce is an excellent recipe to make ahead because you can serve them at room temperature. So go ahead, and make them up to 6 hours before serving time.

    Refrigerator: keep leftovers in an airtight container or on the serving platter covered in plastic wrap for 3 days. Take them out of the fridge 15 minutes before eating.

    Freezer: let them cool down completely, then arrange the slices on a platter without overlapping and freeze. After a couple of hours, you can transfer the frozen eggplant slices into a freezing bag.

    Alternatively, if you don't have much time or space to do this, you can arrange the baked eggplant slices in a freezing bag, on top of each other, but with a piece of parchment paper between each slice.

    Recipe

    roasted eggplant

    Roasted Eggplant

    Author: Nico Pallotta
    Roasted eggplant is an easy, delicious side dish you can serve with most mains, or use to make other wonderful eggplant recipes.
    From easy stuffed eggplants to delicious eggplant pasta, from roasted eggplant dip to baked eggplant pizza, roasting eggplants is an essential cooking skill you'll want to master.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 6 - 8 people
    Calories 123 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 medium eggplants
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ⅓ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    For the seasoning

    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or other vinegar
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ¼ cup parsley finely chopped
    • ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 430°F or 220°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
      Wash and dry 2 medium eggplants, remove the stems, and cut them into ⅓ inch (1 cm) discs.
      eggplant cut into discs
    • Arrange the discs on the baking sheet, brush them with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and season with ⅓ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
      eggplant slices on a baking tray with parchment paper
    • Roast 20 minutes, turn and roast 10 more minutes, then transfer onto a serving platter.
      Eggplant discs should be golden, slightly browned, and tender, but not dry.
      Roasted eggplants on a plate
    • Drizzle with seasoning while they are still hot. Ideally set aside 15 minutes before serving, to allow the condiment to infuse the eggplants.
      roasted eggplant with garlic seasoning

    For the seasoning

    • Do this while the eggplants bake. 
      To a small bowl add, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 clove garlic (minced), ¼ cup parsley (chopped), ¼ teaspoons dried oregano, ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
      Stir well and set aside.
      chimichurri in a bowl

    Video Recipe

    Roasted Eggplant with a twist

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for one serving of roasted eggplants out of six servings.
    VARIATIONS
    For more roasted eggplant ideas, check out our "variations chapter".
    To learn how to use roasted eggplants to make other recipes, check out our chapter "More Roasted Eggplant Recipes".
    MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
    Make ahead: this is a good recipe to make ahead because you can serve the eggplants at room temperature. So go ahead, and make them up to 6 hours before serving time.
    Refrigerator: keep leftovers in an airtight container or on the serving platter covered in plastic wrap for 3 days. Take them out of the fridge 15 minutes before eating.
    Freezer: let them cool down completely then arrange the slices on a platter without overlapping. Freeze, then after a couple of hours, you can transfer the frozen eggplant slices into a freezing bag.
    Alternatively, you can arrange the slices in a freezing bag, on top of each other, but with a piece of parchment paper in between them.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Roasted Eggplant
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    123
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    370
    mg
    11
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    9
    g
    3
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    260
    IU
    5
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.1
    mg
    5
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    7
    mg
    8
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    2
    mg
    13
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    53
    µg
    50
    %
    Calcium
     
    20
    mg
    2
    %
    Folate
     
    38
    µg
    10
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    Manganese
     
    0.4
    mg
    20
    %
    Magnesium
     
    23
    mg
    6
    %
    Zinc
     
    0.3
    mg
    2
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you like our roasted eggplant recipe, you might also like the following:

    • Easy healthy eggplant recipes
      25 Easy Eggplant Recipes
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      How to Cook Asparagus + easy recipes
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jamie

      September 16, 2023 at 1:03 am

      The parsley really adds some freshness. I may have had some proportions off on oregano and chili flakes because I eyeballed it, but it was still delicious. I kept some reserved and spread out on top on a "pizza quesadilla" and it was all good.

      Reply
    2. Phil James

      May 07, 2023 at 11:08 pm

      5 stars
      Yup..made this too, as an appie for friends. Went over really well. I haven't cooked with eggplant much, so loving the opportunity, and this was easy, company-pleasing and tasty...thanks again!

      Reply
      • Louise

        May 08, 2023 at 6:18 am

        Wonderful, Phil, I'm very happy to hear!
        You're our new taste tester. Thank you again for your support, it means a lot to us.
        Best,
        Louise

        Reply
    3. Linda Mcclintock

      April 25, 2023 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      These are delicious...as are every recipe of yours that I make
      Each morning I think about what veggies I have and then look you up and I get so many ideas...
      Thank you for giving me so much pleasure.....you are the BEST X

      Reply
      • Louise

        April 26, 2023 at 5:38 am

        Linda, thank you for this heartwarming comment!
        We're so delighted you like our recipes - and that it helps you use those leftover veggies too 😉
        Happy to have you here. All the best,
        Louise

        Reply

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

    Here we share veggie-packed recipes for the whole family.

    Omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans, you are ALL WELCOME!

    More about us →

    Trending

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