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Baked Eggplant Fries (+ a quick sink station makeover!)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias

Summer is in session, and I know I’m not the only one loving quick, easy meals these days. This time of year is always a little chaotic as the school year winds down and the weather warms up, and dinner time seems to creep up quicker than ever. Grilling is our favorite during the warmer months, but I often find myself looking for new side dishes that the kids will enjoy. I made these baked eggplant fries last week and they were totally kid approved and oh, so easy! Warning: they get a little messy, which is why I thought it was the perfect time to share a quick sink makeover and details about my new favorite dish cloth. Read through to the end for all the details!

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

Here’s what you need…

  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 1 whole egg
  • 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • olive oil cooking spray
  • optional: grated cheese (parmesan or pecorino romano)
  • Note: as an option for added flavor, you can mix 1/4 cup grated cheese into your breadcrumbs before coating eggplant. 

Here’s what you do…

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Peel eggplant. Cut lengthwise, then crosswise and into 1/2 inch sticks (the thinner the better!)
  3. Scramble whole egg
  4. Coat eggplant slices in egg, and immediately transfer to breadcrumb mixture (toss to coat). 
  5. Transfer breadcrumb coated eggplant slices onto a baking sheet coated with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange in a single layer
  6. Spray slices with an additional coat of cooking spray so they will crisp and brown up nicely!
  7. Bake on 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes, turning once at the halfway point. They are ready to turn when you notice them beginning to brown and soften. 
  8. Note: If your eggplant slices are thicker or thinner, cooking time will vary. 
  9. Remove from oven, and serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

Pretty easy right? I thought so! My kids are big fans of anything they can dip, so these were a hit. I used a simple marinara sauce, but you could use any kind of pasta sauce or ketchup if you like. Remember how I warned you about the mess? When you bake olive oil on a baking sheet it turns into a super sticky mess. It doesn’t look as bad as it feels in real life. 

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

It’s really sticky and causes the extra breadcrumbs to bake right into the pan. You could use a sheet of foil to prevent damage to your baking pan – or use this tool that I recently discovered! I picked up these new Scotch-Brite® scrubbing dish cloths at Target last weekend because they are supposed to be perfect for stuck on messes and they do not scratch! I don’t know about you but I have yet to find any other scrubbing tool that doesn’t scratch the heck out of my pans. You can find them in this aisle with the other dish cleaning supplies:

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

They come in two packs for $4.99 each, and in four colors (gray, navy, coral and mint), and I really wanted to get one of each to match the kitchen hahaaaa, but I figured I should see how they work before loading up on them. I thought since I was picking up new soap and new dish cloths I would use this as a chance to do something that has been on my to-do list for a while, giving our sink area a little love and organization! Every since we finished our kitchen makeover I have wanted to find something to hold the everything that gets overcrowded at our sink, I browsed around Target with an idea in mind, and this is what I ended up bringing home:

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

I like to think outside the box, and while I could have paid $20 for a sink organizer of some kind, I ended up grabbing a cute little dip dish for $4 and a plain white little platter dish for $5. This is how I arranged them on our sink:

IMG_0337

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

So cute right?! Now when the kids wash their hands and the soap gets everywhere it’ll just drip onto the dish and not make a sticky, slippery mess on my counter. Also, I now have a place to leave my scrubbing dish cloths instead of just on the counter. We do have the flip out drawers under the sink but something about putting a wet cloth into a closed area makes me cringe. I love how this little spot turned out, and for only a few bucks! Now more on the scrubbing dish cloths…

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

Eggplant fries | Baked eggplant fries recipe | Summer side dish ideas | Sink organization tutorial #ScrubDishCloth #CollectiveBias #ad GinaKirk.com

I’m so glad I picked these up because they were definitely a missing link in our dish cleaning routine. This is definitely the first time that I haven’t had to use a metal scrubber to get all of the baked on grease off of the baking sheet, and I love that they work like a scrubber but without the scratch. As a bonus, they are sturdy and washable, so they can be reused over and over. If you love Target like I do, you can save now on Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths at Target with this Cartwheel offer valid from 6/19-6/25!

Click here to learn more about the Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloths!

If you aren’t yet, I’d love for you to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for more fun, easy recipes and tutorials!

Eggplant fries recipe | How to make baked eggplant fries, a healthy alternative to french fries! Plus a quick sink station makeover with the help of Scotch-Brite scrubbing dish cloths! #collectivebias #scrubdishcloth #ad

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5 Comments

  • Reply
    Stacy
    June 13, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    These looks so awesome. I’ve done zucchini bt never eggplant fries. But I love ordering them at a local restaurant so I’m trying them soon! And fingers crossed my eggplant does well in the garden this year!

  • Reply
    Emily @ Made of Stories Blog
    June 13, 2016 at 9:09 pm

    Delicious! My eggplant plants are growing away and I’ve been wondering how I’ll use all the produce. Can’t wait to try these!

    • Reply
      Gina
      July 27, 2016 at 2:36 am

      Aw, fun! Let me know how they turn out if you do!

  • Reply
    Michelle
    June 13, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    Oooo I wonder if I could get my kids to eat those. Those “fries” sound great. I love your kitchen display, too. The soapy water everywhere (*cough* from my husband) drives me batty. #client

  • Reply
    suzanne
    June 15, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    Yum! These look SO GOOD. Will be trying them soon!

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