Baked Zucchini & Eggplant Fries

Baked zucchini and eggplant fries are crispy outside and soft inside. These vegetables are so yummy. The vegetables are chopped into strips like fries dipped in the gluten flour batter and coated in breadcrumbs and baked for a crisper fry. The batter mixed with nutritional yeast and black salt so healthy.

The rice flour makes it crispier. Any nut milk can be used. It can be deep fried or use an air fryer for a more crispy version.

Food for the thought

“People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self-esteem are quite aware of your potential, even if you are not.”

― Wayne Gerard Trotman

Benefits of the ingredients (source)

Eggplant: provides a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals in a few calories.
Zucchini: rich in many nutrients, high in antioxidants and contributes to healthy digestion.
Black salt: stimulates bile production in the liver, and helps control heartburn and bloating

Video

Steps for preparing baked eggplant and zucchini fries

1. In a bowl stir rice flour, nutritional yeast, salt, black salt, and pepper.
2. Combine any nut milk and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
3. The black salt in it allows forming of bubbles.
4. Add olive oil and mix well.
5. Cut zucchini and eggplant lengthwise( as french fries) and place the eggplant in the water so that it doesn’t change color.
6. Place the panko bread crumbs on a plate.
7. Take zucchini or eggplant without water and dip it in the rice flour mixture.
8. Remove from the batter and coat in the bread crumb mixture.
9. Repeat for all the vegetables and arrange them in a baking tray.
10. Bake them for20-25 minutes in a preheated oven(425 F)
11. Dip them in a roasted tomato dip for more flavor.

Variations

• You can use all-purpose flour. I used gluten-free flour. You may use tapioca flour, corn flour, or arrowroot powder.
• Nutritional yeast is optional.
• Black salt brings flavor but again it is optional too.
• Combine any spices or herbs for more added flavor.
• You can deep fry the vegetables.

Related recipes

• Pumpkin patties
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Greek roasted vegetables

Questions/Tips

What are the other vegetables I can use?

You can use squash. Choose vegetables that are not too soft or hard and no to vegetables that contain water.

Can we use different flour?

You can use all-purpose flour, corn flour, and arrowroot flour.

Can we add any spice to the batter?

Yes, you can add paprika, red chili powder, or chopped jalapenos. You can play with any ingredients you prefer.

I like to mix herbs in my batter.

Absolutely yes. You can add any herbs like finely chopped parsley, basil, cilantro, or rosemary for added flavor. Dry herbs can also be added.

What does black salt do?

Black salt gives more flavor and once added to milk it forms bubbles.

Can I deep fry the fries?

Yes, deep fried fries are crispier and stay crispy for a longer time. You can use an air fryer too.

What is the difference between bread crumbs and panko crumbs?

Bread crumbs and panko make the vegetable crispy outside. Panko crumbs are crispier compared to bread crumbs.

Meal prep/ How to store baked eggplant & zucchini fries

You cannot exactly store them. It becomes soggy after a while.
To meal-prep chop the vegetables and keep them aside. Prepare the dry flour mixture and store them in Ziploc bags or an airtight container. While preparing add the nut milk and mix well. Continue with the steps of baking.

Recipe card for baked zucchini and eggplant fries