High Protein Crispy Breaded Eggplant

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this High Protein Crispy Breaded Eggplant recipe—an irresistible twist on a classic comfort food, packed with flavor and nutritional punch. Featuring tender slices of eggplant coated in a protein-rich chickpea flour and unsweetened protein powder batter, and a crunchy breadcrumb-Parmesan crust, this dish offers a satisfying crunch in every bite. The oven-baked preparation ensures a lighter, healthier option without compromising on crispiness. Seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper, each bite is bursting with savory goodness. Perfectly accompanied by marinara sauce or your favorite dip, this high-protein vegetarian main dish is ideal for those seeking a nutritious, wholesome meal that doesn’t skimp on taste. Ready in under an hour, it’s a must-try for busy weeknights or casual entertaining!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.25 cup unsweetened protein powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0 cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Sprinkle the slices with 1 teaspoon of salt, place them in a colander, and let them sit for 20 minutes to draw out the moisture.

Step 2

Rinse the eggplant slices with water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.

Step 4

In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together chickpea flour, water, protein powder, garlic powder, paprika, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to form a smooth batter.

Step 5

In another shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese.

Step 6

Dip each eggplant slice into the chickpea flour batter, allowing any excess to drip off, then press it into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides.

Step 7

Place the breaded eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Drizzle sliced eggplant with olive oil or lightly spray with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

Step 10

Serve hot, optionally with a side of marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1215.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2119.4

Total Fat 65.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 60mg	0%
Sodium 8150.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 281.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 52.1g	0%
Total Sugars 54.5g
Protein 131.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 939.1mg	0%
Iron 18.7mg	0%
Potassium 3426.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.2%

Protein: 23.5%

Carbs: 50.4%