Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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Eggplant chips are the perfect homemade snack. They are flavorful, crunchy, and savory.

These tasty chips are ready in about 30 minutes. They are very easy to make, and they're great on their own or with various dips.

Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

Almost anyone on the low-carb diet will tell you that they miss crunchy snacks. You know - the processed snacks that got us into trouble in the first place! But the good news: there's no need to feel deprived.

Crispy, savory, and delicious, these homemade chips make an excellent snack that satisfies that "crunchy/salty" craving. I make them quite often because my entire family really enjoys them.

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  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty eggplant chips. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Olive oil spray: I love cooking with this delicious oil. But if you'd rather use an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.

Eggplants: It's best to use small elongated Japanese eggplants in this recipe. I leave them unpeeled.

Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the chips could end up too salty.

Garlic powder: Another tasty option is onion powder.

Instructions

Making these eggplant chips is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

  • Your first step is to slice the eggplants thinly. You can leave the peel on. Use a sharp knife to slice them - their peel tends to resist cutting.
  • Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on two baking sheets. Spray them with olive oil, then sprinkle with the seasonings.
  • Bake them until browned and crispy, 10-15 minutes per side at 450°F.
Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Expert tip

The main challenge when making this recipe is ensuring the chips are crispy. One trick is to use Japanese eggplants. Their elongated shape allows for more uniform chips.

Another trick is to cut the chips VERY thinly and spray them liberally with olive oil. Then bake them in a hot oven.

They might crisp better if you line the baking sheets with foil instead of parchment. I made them both ways and the difference isn't huge, but there's a slight difference. If you use parchment paper, make sure to use paper marked as safe for high heat.

Not all of them will crisp up at the same time, so you might want to check periodically (every 5 minutes) and remove the ones that are ready onto a plate, then keep baking the rest.

Keep in mind that even after all these efforts, homemade vegetable chips that you bake in your oven will not be as crispy as commercial ones.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make these chips with regular eggplants?

That's actually not recommended. Japanese eggplants work best in this recipe not just because they produce smaller, chip-like rounds, but also because of their firmer texture and lower water content.

Should I salt the eggplant before baking it?

There's no need to go through the extra step of salting the eggplant. It only makes a difference when frying this vegetable, not when baking it.

Variations

As mentioned above, you can use onion powder instead of (or in addition to) garlic powder. You can certainly experiment with other spices too - adding a pinch of each of them. Paprika and cumin will be very tasty in this recipe.

Serving suggestions

These chips are wonderful on their own, but they are also excellent with any of the following dips:

  • Salsa
  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Greek yogurt dip
  • Ranch dressing
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • Tahini sauce
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Cream cheese dip

Storing leftovers

Leftovers keep OK for 2-3 days in the fridge, in an airtight container, although they do lose their crispiness.

I sometimes add them, cold, to a salad as a salad topping. Or you can reheat them in a 350-degree F oven for 10 minutes, to crisp them up a bit. But this recipe is best enjoyed fresh.

Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)
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Recipe Card

Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (8)

4.96 from 371 votes

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Eggplant Chips

These eggplant chips are the perfect homemade snack. They are flavorful, crunchy, and savory.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 100kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • Olive oil spray
  • 2 Japanese eggplants 1 pound total weight, unpeeled (see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line 2 large, rimmed baking sheets with nonstick foil or high-heat-resistant parchment and spray them with olive oil.

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (9)

  • Using a sharp knife, slice the eggplants very thinly into ⅛-inch-thick slices.

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)

  • Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Spray them with olive oil, then sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (11)

  • Bake the chips in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (12)

  • Remove the pans from the oven, flip the eggplant slices, spray them with more oil, and bake until browned and crispy, 10-15 more minutes. (See notes). Serve immediately.

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

Video

Notes

  • Watch the chips carefully to ensure they don't burn. Not all of them will be ready at the same time, so remove those that are already browned and keep roasting the rest.
  • I don't recommend making this recipe with regular eggplants. Japanese eggplants work best not just because they produce smaller, chip-like rounds but also because of their firmer texture and lower water content.
  • The leftovers keep OK for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container, although they do lose their crispiness. I sometimes add them, cold, to a salad as a salad topping. Or you can reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to crisp them up a bit. But this recipe is best enjoyed fresh.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 287mg | Fiber: 6g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Vegetable Recipes

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About the Author

Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (24) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. JM

    Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (25)
    When you say “turn them around” do you mean flip the chips or turn the baking sheet around 180 degrees?
    And yeah, like she said, don’t do it with a regular eggplant. I did because I bought it before reading the FAQs. Still edible, nice flavor, but not crisp and fell apart when flipping them. My fault. Still threw them in a bowl and ate all of it with some turkey sausage.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I mean flip them - thank you for this question - I rewrote the recipe card to make it clearer.
      I'm glad you were able to enjoy these chips after all!

      Reply

Crispy Eggplant Chips - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat eggplant? ›

The healthiest cooking methods for eggplant include baking, grilling, or roasting. These methods require minimal added fats and help retain the vegetable's nutrients. Can eggplant be eaten raw? While eggplant can be eaten raw, it is not commonly done due to its slightly bitter taste and tough texture.

How do you make scarlet eggplant chips? ›

Wash the scarlet eggplants and cut them into very thin slices. Soak them in salted ice water and set aside for 20 minutes. Drain the slices and coat them on flour. Fry in heated oil (180°C) and drain on paper towel.

Is eggplant good for a snack? ›

Eggplants are high in fiber and low in calories, making them an excellent addition to any weight loss regimen. Fiber moves through the digestive tract slowly and can promote fullness and satiety , reducing calorie intake. Each cup (82 grams) of raw eggplant contains 3 grams of fiber and just 20 calories.

Can you freeze eggplant chips? ›

Put Them Into the Freezer

Place the fried eggplant on a baking sheet, and put it in the freezer for two hours so that each individual slice freezes. Once the fried eggplant is frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about three to four months.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggplant for weight loss? ›

Eggplants are high in fiber and low in calories - they can contribute to a healthy, low-calorie diet. However, eggplant can absorb a lot of oil during frying and cooking. Anyone who wants to lose weight should prepare the dish in another way, such as boiling or even eating it raw.

What organ is eggplant good for? ›

Eggplants come with antioxidants and other possible benefits related to heart and brain health. They are also a low-carb option with fiber. There are risks of eating eggplants, like potential allergic reactions, kidney stone formation, and increased inflammation.

Why isn't my eggplant crispy? ›

The best eggplant is caramelized and crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. This is achieved by giving the cubes or slices enough room to brown while they cook. If you overcrowd them in the pan or baking sheet, they'll steam instead of brown and you'll never get that caramelization.

What are the benefits of eggplant chips? ›

These eggplant chips are a quick and easy snack to make and enjoy with family and friends. Eggplants are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Raw eggplants contain carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and vitamins, compared to regular potato chips which are very high in fat and have very few health benefits (Link, 2017).

Does eggplant need to be soaked before frying? ›

Typically eggplant behaves like a sponge, soaking up heroic amounts of oil when fried. The Terzo Piano chefs use this trick to prevent heavy aubergines: Before frying, soak the strips of eggplant in an ice water bath. They will absorb water and drop in temperature.

What not to eat with eggplant? ›

There are no specific foods that you should avoid eating after consuming brinjal (eggplant). Brinjal is a versatile vegetable and can be consumed with a wide variety of foods. However, if you have any personal dietary restrictions or allergies, you should adhere to those guidelines.

When not to use eggplant? ›

If you cut the eggplant and notice browning shortly afterward, the eggplant is safe to eat. However, if the eggplant is already brown when you first cut into it, then it should be thrown away.

Can too much eggplant be bad for you? ›

Inspite of all the health benefits that eggplant provides, consumption of this vegetable in large quantities can have some harmful effects on your body. Nasunin, present in eggplant, is a phytochemical which can bind with iron and remove it from the cells. The oxalates in this vegetable can cause stones in the kidney.

Is fried eggplant good for diabetics? ›

Is Brinjal (Eggplant) Good for Diabetes? Because it is low in calories and carbohydrates, brinjal (eggplant) is a fantastic meal to include in your diabetes diet. The glycemic index of brinjal is only 15. Foods that have a low GI are good for people with diabetes.

Can you freeze eggplant to fry later? ›

Since eggplant has high water content, your best bet is to cook it (even partially) before storing it in the freezer. For the best ways to freeze eggplant, follow the steps below.

Can I dehydrate eggplant? ›

Arrange blanched eggplant in single layers on drying trays. Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.

Is eggplant healthier cooked or raw? ›

Cooking brinjal by grilling, roasting, sautéing, or frying can help to reduce the solanine levels and make it easier to digest. Cooked brinjal can also be a healthy and nutritious addition to a balanced diet. It is low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K.

How do you remove toxins from eggplant? ›

However, eggplants also contain a substance, solanine, which is used to defend themselves against fungi and insects. It is precisely on this substance that the bitter taste of the eggplants depends. To eliminate it, the most common methods are soaking in water and vinegar and the salt technique.

How do you cook eggplant without losing nutrients? ›

Grilling or Roasting: Grilling or roasting eggplants can help retain their nutritional value. Before grilling, slice or prick the eggplant to allow steam to escape. This method caramelizes the natural sugars in the eggplant, enhancing its taste without losing many nutrients.

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