How to Fry Eggplant

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 5, 2020 References Tested

Eggplant is a fruit, shaped like an egg. Eggplant, a nightshade, is related to tomatoes, potatoes and sweet peppers. Eggplants have plenty of minerals and vitamins, as well as antioxidant compounds that may reduce cholesterol. Frying eggplant is 1 way to prepare this healthy and nutritious fruit. There are several varieties of eggplant, and in Asia, they grow smaller plants and fry them whole.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Prepare Eggplants for Cooking

1
Select eggplants that feel heavy and firm. When you cook eggplant, you want to choose eggplants that have smooth skin that shines.^{[1]
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2
Store your eggplants in the refrigerator until you are ready to fry them. Eggplants are delicate and will perish quickly.^{[2]
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3
Remove the skin of large or white eggplants. Peel the skin with a stainless steel paring knife.^{[3]
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Research source} To prepare eggplants for cooking, don't use a carbon steel knife because carbon reacts with eggplants phytonutrients and will turn the eggplant black.^{[4]
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4
Cut your eggplant into thin slices with a stainless steel knife.
5
Tenderize your eggplant. When frying eggplant, you want soft and tender pieces. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt and let it set for 20 to 30 minutes. This will pull some of the moisture out of the eggplant and prevent it from soaking up cooking oil.^{[5]
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6
Rinse off the eggplant with water. When you prepare eggplants for cooking, you may want to remove some of the salt.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fried Eggplant

1
Mix 1 tsp. (4.929 cc) turmeric powder, 1 tsp. (4.929 cc) minced garlic and 1 tsp. (4.929 cc) salt in a bowl.
2
Put 1/4 cup (60 ml) cooking oil in a frying pan. Put the pan on the stove and turn the burner to medium low. When frying eggplant, you want the oil heated up before you cook the eggplant.
3
Place the sliced eggplant in the bowl of seasoning, and move them around to coat them with the spices.
4
Fry the eggplant slices for 2 to 4 minutes on each side.^{[7]
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Research source} When cooking eggplant, you want to cook it completely to bring out all of the flavor.
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Finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Breaded Fried Eggplant

1
Pour 1 inch (2.54 cm) of cooking oil into a frying pan. When you cook eggplant, you may use sesame oil, olive oil, wok oil, butter or vegetable oil.
2
Put the frying pan on a burner and turn the burner to medium heat.
3
Break 1 egg and beat it in a bowl for 1 to 2 minutes.
4
Dip the eggplant slices into the egg. The egg will help the breaded mix stick to the slices when you prepare eggplant for cooking.
5
Mix 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) flour, 1/4 tsp. (1.232 cc) cornstarch, 1 tsp. salt (4.929 cc) and 1/2 tsp. (2.464 cc) pepper in another bowl.
6
Roll the egg coated eggplant slices in the flour mix, covering them completely.^{[8]
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7
Put the battered eggplant slices into the frying pan. Frying eggplant may cause the oil to bubble, so be careful not to burn yourself.
8
Cook the eggplant until they turn golden. Turn them over several times so they don't burn.^{[9]
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9
Remove the battered eggplant and drain on paper towels.
10
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

What food is good to serve with eggplant?

Community Answer

Rice, cooked tomatoes and zucchini. You also might serve it with beef.
Question

Is it OK to fry eggplant with skin on?

Melanie Sanchez

Community Answer

The skin is entirely edible. With larger eggplants it can be a little tough, but in general there's no problem with frying. If you're still not sure about it, you can just peel off the skin and go from there.
Question

Can I use eggplant in a roast veggie dish?

Jasmin Williams

Community Answer

Yes you can. I would just add it towards the end of cook time so you do not end up with bits of eggplant mush in your otherwise amazing roasted veggies.