Loaded Crispy Baked Eggplant Recipe (2024)

Published: Jul 24, 2019 Modified: Dec 30, 2020 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

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This baked eggplant recipe is the EASIEST way to cook eggplant! Enjoy your eggplant rounds topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions - YUM! If you love loaded potato skins, you're going to love this easy recipe!

First Published: August 1,2013...

Last Updated: July 21, 2019 (republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change)

Baked Eggplant Recipe

Thing 2 does not like eggplant. Of course I took that as a challenge. 🙂

Since my recipe for Blue Cheese Potato Bites were such a hit, I made it my mission to see if I could get Thing 2 to not only eat eggplant but actually enjoy it!

Of course, I knew that meant that I would have to hide it under some pretty tastyingredients. What does Thing 2 like best? Besides biscuits, of course.... Cheese!

Ingredients needed for Baked Eggplant

eggplant
shredded Mexican cheese blend
bacon
green onions

Do you need to peel the eggplant before baking?

Not at all! That's the beauty of how easy this recipe is to make. There is no need to peel the eggplant. Simply clean it well and slice it.

If you like crispy eggplant, keep your slices about ¼ inch thick. If you prefer a big meatier meal - ½ inch. You decide!

Do I need to soak eggplant before cooking?

Not for this recipe! Eggplant is kind of like a sponge, it will soak up ingredients. Because this is a crispy eggplant recipe, there's no need to soak it.

Does eggplant have to be salted before cooking?

Most recipes call for salting the eggplant, but there's no need with this recipe.

How do you keep eggplant from getting soggy?

Spraying both sides of the eggplant with olive oil spray will help keep it crispy. If you pour or brush on olive oil, the vegetable will soak up too much of the oil and it could get soggy.

Can you cut eggplant ahead of time?

You can, but it will brown. The flesh of the eggplant will begin to brown as soon as it's exposed to air. Wait until you are ready to assemble the dish before slicing the vegetable.

Best Baked Eggplant Recipe!

Aren't they amazing? These have all the deliciousness of loaded potato skins but with the nutrition of eggplant. YUM!!!

How to make this loaded baked eggplant recipe - Step by Step

Step 1.

Slice the eggplant into rounds.

Slice the eggplant into thin rounds, about ¼ - ½ inch thick.

Step 2.

Spray both sides of the rounds with oil, sprinkle with garlic salt, then place on a baking sheet.

Step 3.

Bake until the top becomes golden brown, then distribute toppings.

Your scrumptious baked eggplant recipe is almost done!

Step 4.

Bake a little more until the cheese is melted.

This melt-in-your-mouth baked eggplant recipe is nutritious and delicious!

Step 5.

Sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve!

After you add the chopped scallions, this baked eggplant recipe is ready to serve!

More tips for making perfect loaded baked eggplant

Choose a good eggplant. Look for one with a firm, heavy feel and smooth purple skin. Read this article for more about choosing your eggplant.
Make your eggplant slices thin and don't use too much oil on them for maximum crispiness.
Use parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy cleanup!
You can cook the bacon ahead of time and crumble it to use in this recipe, or, for maximum simplicity, you can buy pre-cooked bacon recipe pieces.
If you find that your rounds are still not getting as crispy as you would like even with slicing them thin, next time try salting them to draw out some of the water before baking them (sprinkle them with salt, and let them sit for 30 minutes, then gently wipe them dry and remove the salt with a paper towel).

What can I serve with eggplant?

Because eggplant is so mild, you can pair it with just about any dish. Some of my favorites are:

If you'd like to serve this baked eggplant recipe with a meaty main dish, I'd recommend my Slow Cooker Whole Chicken!
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole - delicious and easy this is one tasty casserole!
Steakhouse Salad - big bold flavors with loads of crunch that will compliment the eggplant!
This no-knead Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Bread is a perfect side with this meal! Crusty, flavorful and fresh, it's the perfect side dish!

To circle back to the beginning, if you're wondering about Thing 2's rating.... Here it is! (drum roll please)....

4.5 biscuits out of 5!!SUCCESS!!

If you like eggplant and have an air fryer, you will want to check out these Air Fryer Eggplant Fries. So yummy!

Crispy Baked Eggplant Recipe

📋 Recipe Card

Crispy Baked Eggplant Recipe

Recipe Author: Kristin

Love loaded potato skins? Enjoy all that cheesy bacon flavor on top of these nutritious and delicious crispy eggplant rounds!

4.92 from 12 votes

Ingredients

▢ 1 large eggplant
▢ Olive oil spray
▢ Garlic salt
▢ 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
▢ ¾ cup real bacon pieces
▢ 6 scallions (chopped)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Slice eggplant into round discs, about ¼ - ½ inch thick (thinner rounds will get crispier).
1 large eggplant
Place the eggplant rounds on a baking sheet, spray both sides of each with a light coating of olive oil spray, and sprinkle with small amount of garlic salt.
Olive oil spray, Garlic salt
Place the rounds in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until rounds are getting brown and crispy.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Top each round with the shredded cheese and the bacon crumbles.
1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, ¾ cup real bacon pieces
Return the baking sheet to the over for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Sprinkle the scallions over the rounds and serve.
6 scallions

Notes

Choose an eggplant with a firm, heavy feel, minimal blemishes, and smooth purple skin.
For maximum crispiness, slice the eggplant evenly and use a light tough with the oil.
A parchment paper liner on your baking sheet makes for quick cleanup!
If you don't have time to cook your bacon and crumble it, you can buy pre-cooked bacon recipe pieces to use in this recipe (that's what I often do!).
If your rounds are not as crispy as you would like even when using thin slices, next time try 'sweating' them to draw out some of the water before baking them (sprinkle the rounds with salt, let them sit for a half hour, then gently wipe them with a paper towel to remove the salt and moisture).

Video

Nutrition

Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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More of my favorite eggplant recipes!

Baked Eggplant Fries with Basil Dipping Sauce - need I say more?!!
Cheesy Eggplant Apple Quesadillas - even the kids love this meal!
Eggplant Polenta Lasagna - made with polenta instead of noodles, this is one tasty lasagna!

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