Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Sticks
Equipment
- medium bowl
- Shallow dish
- Serving plate
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup crushed pork rinds
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 medium eggplant cut into 1 cm rounds and sliced into sticks
- 1/2 cup no-sugar-added Napolitana sauce warmed
- Olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200ยฐC for 3 minutes.
- Whisk the eggs and heavy cream together in a medium bowl.
- Combine the crushed pork rinds, Parmesan, and salt in a shallow dish.
- Dip each eggplant stick into the egg mixture.
- Coat the stick evenly with the pork rind and Parmesan mixture.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil.
- Arrange half of the eggplant sticks in the basket without overcrowding.
- Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Turn the sticks and air fry for another 6 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Transfer the cooked sticks to a serving plate.
- Repeat with the remaining eggplant sticks.
- Serve warm with the Napolitana sauce for dipping.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Keep the skin on the eggplant if you enjoy a little extra texture. It also helps the sticks hold their shape during cooking. Cut the eggplant into evenly sized sticks. This helps them cook at the same rate and prevents thinner pieces from becoming too soft. Press the pork rind and Parmesan coating gently onto each piece. A good coating creates a crispier exterior and gives these sticks their savory flavor. Cook the eggplant in batches and leave some space between the pieces. This allows the hot air to circulate and helps the coating become crisp instead of soft. Serve immediately with warm Napolitana Sauce for dipping.Wine Advice
A fresh Sangiovese works nicely with Parmesan, eggplant, and tomato sauce. Its acidity balances the rich pork rind coating while complementing the Italian flavors.Nutrition values
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About This Recipe
Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Sticks turn tender eggplant into crunchy, savory finger food with plenty of Parmesan flavor. Instead of traditional breadcrumbs, crushed pork rinds create the crisp coating. This keeps the carbohydrate content lower while adding extra flavor and crunch. Warm Napolitana sauce completes the dish with a rich tomato contrast.
Eggplant with a Crispy Parmesan Coating
Eggplant has a mild flavor and soft texture that works particularly well with stronger ingredients. In this recipe, grated Cheese adds a salty Parmesan bite. Meanwhile, crushed pork rinds replace regular breadcrumbs and become wonderfully crisp during cooking. The result is a different way to turn Vegetables into a satisfying snack.
Low Carb Air Fryer Eggplant Sticks
These air fryer eggplant sticks are especially useful when you want a lower-carb alternative to traditionally breaded eggplant. First, coat each stick in the egg and cream mixture. Next, press it into the Parmesan and pork rind coating. Then, cook the sticks in the Air fryer until the outside becomes golden and crisp.
Serve with a Warm Dipping Sauce
Warm Napolitana sauce makes a natural Dip for these crispy sticks. Tomato works especially well with Parmesan and gives the dish a familiar Italian character. However, you can also serve the sticks alongside other Condiments when you want to offer several dipping options.
Crunchy Finger Food for Sharing
Serve Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Sticks as an Appetizer, Fingerfood, or savory Snack. They are also easy to share during Game Day, Movie night, or a relaxed Weekend.
Finally, serve the air fryer eggplant sticks immediately after cooking. That is when the coating has its best crunch and the eggplant inside remains hot and tender. Dip them into the warm tomato sauce and enjoy them straight from the plate.