Crispy Baked Eggplant Chips

These delicate and Crispy Baked Eggplant Chips are packed with flavor thanks to a light brushing of homemade basil-infused olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese.

You may find it hard to stop munching on these delicious little chips, but that's okay because they're completely good for you, and they're a low-carb snack as well!

The one vegetable I was most excited to grow in our new raised vegetable garden bed this year was eggplants.

Honestly, I had not cooked with eggplants all that much in the past. However, this year, all of that is going to change.

Since my plants are producing eggplants like crazy, I'll have to come up with a few more new recipes just to keep up.

Trust me...it's not a bad problem to have!

**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Italian baked eggplant chips is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe. 

The ingredient list:

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

• fresh eggplant
• kosher salt
• fresh basil
• black pepper
• olive oil
• garlic powder
• grated Parmesan cheese

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• chef's knife
• cutting board
• baking sheets with a racks
• parchment paper or aluminum foil
• slotted spatula
• cheese grater
• pepper grinder (optional)
• small microwave-safe bowl
• pastry brush
• paper towels
• kitchen timer (optional)
• measuring spoons (optional)

Are aubergine and eggplant the same thing?

Yes!

Aubergine is the French word for eggplant.

OR, eggplant is the American word for Aubergine.

Do eggplants need to be peeled before using?

No. It's not always necessary.

As an eggplants age, the skin has a tendency to become tough and bitter. At that point, it's a good idea to peel them before slicing.

If your eggplants are very fresh, the skins are thin and tender, so then there is no particular need to peel them and you can skip that step.

If you don't know for certain how old your eggplant is, slice a tiny bit off from the tip of the eggplant and give it a taste.

If you feel it is tough and/or bitter, give it a quick peel and then carry on with this recipe as written.

Why are the eggplant slices salted before roasting them in the oven?

In order to roast crispy eggplant chips, removing some of the interior water from the eggplant's flesh is necessary.

By allowing the sliced eggplant to sit for 30 minutes with a light sprinkling of coarse salt, the moisture is naturally drawn out of the flesh and it can then easily be dabbed dry with paper towels before continuing with the recipe.

What are the best type of eggplants for making eggplant chips?

You can use whatever type of eggplant you have or can find in the market.

I used Japanese eggplants because that's what I've been growing in my garden.

Best tools for slicing an eggplant:

Whatever variety of eggplant you're using just make sure to keep the slices relatively thin (approximately ¼" thick), all uniform in size.

The thicker the slices, the less chance you'll have for achieving crispy chips.

If your knife skills are good, a chef's knife and cutting board will work great for this task.

However, if you need a little additional help slicing thin and uniform slices, then a mandoline is a wonderful tool for the job. But for safety sake, always use the finger guard.

How to make crispy baked eggplant (aka aubergine) chips:

• Preheat oven to 425-degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the eggplant (aubergine) into rounds that are approximately ¼" thickness.
• Lay the slices in a single layer onto parchment-lines baking sheets fitted that have been fitted with baking racks (for good heat circulation).
• Sprinkle each eggplant slice with a bit of coarse salt and allow to sit for approximately 30 minutes to draw out the water.
• Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave olive oil with approximately 4-5 basil leaves on medium power for 50-60 seconds.
• Stir the oil and basil and allow to steep for 5-7 minutes.
• Use a paper towel to blot the accumulating moisture off the eggplant slices.
• Generously brush the basil-infused olive oil onto each eggplant slice (one side only), and sprinkle each slice with black pepper, garlic powder, and a layer of grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake the eggplant chips in the preheated oven for 15 minutes and then rotate the baking sheets and continue roasting for an additional 12-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them during the last few minutes so they don't burn.
• Remove the baking sheets from the oven and cool for 1-2 minutes before gently loosening the chips from the baking rack with a spatula.

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How to store roasted eggplant chips:

For maximum crispness, I recommend eating them within 24 of baking.

Store them in a brown paper bag with a paper towel in the bottom of the bag.

If storing for longer than 24 hours (be aware that they won't be as crisp), store them in an air-tight container at room temperature.

These baked eggplant snack chips will say fresh for up to 5 days.

Can other herbs be used for infusing olive oil?

Sure!

Use whatever fresh herbs are your favorite.

Just make sure to warm (not boil) the oil in the microwave, add the fresh herbs and steep for 5-7 minutes.

Can the stovetop be used for infusing olive oil with herbs?

Yes.

Use a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, add the oil and herbs, stir, and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow the herbs to steep in the oil.

Can other oils be infused with fresh herbs?

Yep!

Use your imagination and get creative.

Additional eggplant and fresh zucchini recipes:

*Fried Eggplant Sandwich with Tomatoes and Green Pepper (pictured below)

This Fried Eggplant sandwich is seriously delicious. Golden brown fried eggplant slices are layered between toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, and sauteed green bell pepper.

*Greek Stuffed Eggplant from Living Sweet Moments

*Spicy Grilled Eggplant from Kalyn's Kitchen

*Eggplant Gratin from A Lady in France

*Italian Zucchini Parmesan (pictured below)

Layered Zucchini Parmesan has all the flavors you love about pizza or lasagna but without all those annoying carbs to weigh you down.

*Egg Zucchini Noodle Salad from Natalie's Health

*Char-Grilled Zucchini Salad from It's Not Complicated

*Zucchini Enchiladas with Mexican Corn Salad from Oats and Sesame

*Crispy Baked Eggplant Chips with Basil and Parmesan Cheese (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's easy, healthy, baked vegetable appetizer chip.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's delicious snack recipe for crispy baked eggplant chips with basil and Parmesan cheese as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!