Ingredients:

  • 2 large (approx. 700 g) Globe Eggplants (aubergines)
  • 2 tsp Coarse Sea Salt (for sweating)
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (for oiling the pan/basket)
  • ½ cup All-Purpose Flour (plain flour)
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • ¼ tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 2 Tbsp Whole Milk (or water)
  • 1 ½ cups Panko Breadcrumbs (crucial for crispiness)
  • ½ cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder
  • Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • Olive Oil Spray (or neutral oil spray)
  • Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Trim off the ends of the eggplant. Slice each eggplant into rounds about 1.5 cm (½ inch) thick, then cut the rounds into uniform ‘sticks’ or ‘fries,’ approximately 1.5 cm x 7 cm (½ inch x 3 inches).
  2. Lay the eggplant sticks in a single layer on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet (or directly on paper towels). Sprinkle generously with coarse salt (2 tsp total).
  3. Let the eggplant rest for 30 minutes to sweat out moisture. Thoroughly rinse the sticks under cool running water to remove the salt, then dry them completely using paper towels or a clean tea towel. This step is non-negotiable for crispiness.
  4. Set up the breading station: Dish 1: Whisk together flour and seasoning ingredients. Dish 2: Whisk eggs and milk until slightly frothy. Dish 3: Combine Panko, Parmesan, and spices.
  5. Working in small batches, coat each eggplant stick using the three-stage method: Dip 1 (Flour), Dip 2 (Egg), then Dip 3 (Panko). Press firmly into the Panko mixture using your hands for maximum adherence.
  6. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket (do not overlap). Give all the sticks a light, even spray of olive oil.
  7. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Bake for 12 minutes. Flip the sticks, spray lightly again, and bake for another 10–13 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and crisp.
  8. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Cook in batches for 6–8 minutes per side (12–15 minutes total), flipping halfway through, until the breading is a deep golden colour.
  9. Remove from the oven/air fryer. Sprinkle with a little extra sea salt if desired and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot immediately with dipping sauce.