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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Loaded Baked Eggplant Recipe

    Published: Jul 24, 2019 Modified: Dec 30, 2020 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Close up shot of a finished eggplant round loaded with cheese, bacon bits, and scallions, on a baking sheet.

    This baked eggplant recipe is the EASIEST way to cook eggplant! Enjoy your eggplant rounds topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions - YUM! If you love loaded potato skins, you're going to love this easy recipe!

    Close up shot of a finished eggplant round loaded with cheese, bacon bits, and scallions, on a baking sheet.
    This rich eggplant dish is perfect any day of the week!
    First Published: August 1,2013... Last Updated: July 21, 2019 (republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change)

    Baked Eggplant Recipe

    Thing 2 does not like eggplant. Of course I took that as a challenge. 🙂

    Since my recipe for Blue Cheese Potato Bites were such a hit, I made it my mission to see if I could get Thing 2 to not only eat eggplant but actually enjoy it!

    Of course, I knew that meant that I would have to hide it under some pretty tasty ingredients. What does Thing 2 like best? Besides biscuits, of course.... Cheese!

    Ingredients needed for Baked Eggplant 

    • eggplant
    • shredded Mexican cheese blend
    • bacon
    • green onions
    Overhead view of the ingredients-shredded cheese, olive oil spray, bacon pieces, garlic salt, and chopped scallions.
    Gather your ingredients to make a delicious eggplant dish!

    Do you need to peel the eggplant before baking?

    Not at all! That's the beauty of how easy this recipe is to make. There is no need to peel the eggplant. Simply clean it well and slice it.

    If you like crispy eggplant, keep your slices about ¼ inch thick. If you prefer a big meatier meal - ½ inch. You decide!

    Do I need to soak eggplant before cooking?

    Not for this recipe! Eggplant is kind of like a sponge, it will soak up ingredients. Because this is a crispy eggplant recipe, there's no need to soak it.

    Does eggplant have to be salted before cooking?

    Most recipes call for salting the eggplant, but there's no need with this recipe.

    How do you keep eggplant from getting soggy?

    Spraying both sides of the eggplant with olive oil spray will help keep it crispy. If you pour or brush on olive oil, the vegetable will soak up too much of the oil and it could get soggy.

    Can you cut eggplant ahead of time?

    You can, but it will brown. The flesh of the eggplant will begin to brown as soon as it's exposed to air. Wait until you are ready to assemble the dish before slicing the vegetable.

    Best Baked Eggplant Recipe!

    Aren't they amazing? These have all the deliciousness of loaded potato skins but with the nutrition of eggplant. YUM!!!

    Side view of three stacked eggplant rounds on a white plate
    This colorful eggplant dish is perfect any day of the week!

    How to make this loaded baked eggplant recipe - Step by Step

    Step 1.

    Slice the eggplant into rounds.
    Process shot of eggplant cut into five thin rounds on a cutting board with a knife.

    Slice the eggplant into thin rounds, about ¼ - ½ inch thick.

    Step 2.

    Spray both sides of the rounds with oil, sprinkle with garlic salt, then place on a baking sheet.
    Overhead shot of eight eggplant discs on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Add some seasoning and your eggplant rounds are ready to go!

    Step 3.

    Bake until the top becomes golden brown, then distribute toppings.
    Process shot of crisped eggplant discs topped with cheese and bacon pieces.

    Your scrumptious baked eggplant recipe is almost done!

    Step 4.

    Bake a little more until the cheese is melted.
    Close up picture of eggplant disc with melted cheese and bacon.

    This melt-in-your-mouth baked eggplant recipe is nutritious and delicious!

    Step 5.

    Sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve!
    Process shot of eggplant rounds still on baking sheet with parchment paper topped with cheese, bacon, and chopped scallions.

    After you add the chopped scallions, this baked eggplant recipe is ready to serve!

    More tips for making perfect loaded baked eggplant

    1. Choose a good eggplant. Look for one with a firm, heavy feel and smooth purple skin. Read this article for more about choosing your eggplant.
    2. Make your eggplant slices thin and don't use too much oil on them for maximum crispiness.
    3. Use parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy cleanup!
    4. You can cook the bacon ahead of time and crumble it to use in this recipe, or, for maximum simplicity, you can buy pre-cooked bacon recipe pieces.
    5. If you find that your rounds are still not getting as crispy as you would like even with slicing them thin, next time try salting them to draw out some of the water before baking them (sprinkle them with salt, and let them sit for 30 minutes, then gently wipe them dry and remove the salt with a paper towel).

    What can I serve with eggplant?

    Because eggplant is so mild, you can pair it with just about any dish. Some of my favorites are:

    • If you'd like to serve this baked eggplant recipe with a meaty main dish, I'd recommend my Slow Cooker Whole Chicken!
    • Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole - delicious and easy this is one tasty casserole!
    • Steakhouse Salad - big bold flavors with loads of crunch that will compliment the eggplant!
    • This no-knead Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Bread is a perfect side with this meal! Crusty, flavorful and fresh, it's the perfect side dish!
    Close up shot of finished eggplant round on baking sheet
    This quick and easy baked eggplant recipe will be a favorite in your recipe book!

    To circle back to the beginning, if you're wondering about Thing 2's rating.... Here it is! (drum roll please)....

    4.5 biscuits out of 5!! SUCCESS!!

    If you like eggplant and have an air fryer, you will want to check out these Air Fryer Eggplant Fries. So yummy!

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry !

    Crispy Baked Eggplant Recipe

    📋 Recipe Card

    Side view of three stacked eggplant rounds on a white plate

    Crispy Baked Eggplant Recipe

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    Love loaded potato skins? Enjoy all that cheesy bacon flavor on top of these nutritious and delicious crispy eggplant rounds!
    4.92 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 4 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Entree
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 56 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 large eggplant
    • Olive oil spray
    • Garlic salt
    • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
    • ¾ cup real bacon pieces
    • 6 scallions (chopped)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    • Slice eggplant into round discs, about ¼ - ½ inch thick (thinner rounds will get crispier).
      1 large eggplant
    • Place the eggplant rounds on a baking sheet, spray both sides of each with a light coating of olive oil spray, and sprinkle with small amount of garlic salt.
      Olive oil spray, Garlic salt
    • Place the rounds in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until rounds are getting brown and crispy.
    • Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Top each round with the shredded cheese and the bacon crumbles.
      1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, ¾ cup real bacon pieces
    • Return the baking sheet to the over for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
    • Sprinkle the scallions over the rounds and serve.
      6 scallions

    Notes

    • Choose an eggplant with a firm, heavy feel, minimal blemishes, and smooth purple skin.
    • For maximum crispiness, slice the eggplant evenly and use a light tough with the oil.
    • A parchment paper liner on your baking sheet makes for quick cleanup!
    • If you don't have time to cook your bacon and crumble it, you can buy pre-cooked bacon recipe pieces to use in this recipe (that's what I often do!).
    • If your rounds are not as crispy as you would like even when using thin slices, next time try 'sweating' them to draw out some of the water before baking them (sprinkle the rounds with salt, let them sit for a half hour, then gently wipe them with a paper towel to remove the salt and moisture).

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 5.9mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.5mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    More of my favorite eggplant recipes!

    • Baked Eggplant Fries with Basil Dipping Sauce - need I say more?!!
    • Cheesy Eggplant Apple Quesadillas - even the kids love this meal!
    • Eggplant Polenta Lasagna - made with polenta instead of noodles, this is one tasty lasagna!

    Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

    Happy cooking!

    Close up of a signature of Kristin.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Harriet

      May 19, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      They look like little mini pizzas.

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      February 28, 2018 at 9:40 pm

      Love, love, love eggplants! This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting

      August 04, 2017 at 4:39 am

      That looks so amazing! My kids aren't big fans of eggplant, either, so I have to try this one out! Pinning! 🙂 Lisa

      Reply
    4. Alison's Allspice

      July 28, 2017 at 5:41 pm

      This looks like a perfect way to enjoy eggplant! So tasty!

      Reply
    5. Daphne from Ivy, Phyllis and Me!

      July 28, 2017 at 7:06 am

      Good Afternoon Kristin, I love, love aubergine (eggplant). when I lived on the Island of Cyprus they were a summer staple. I love your recipe and will certainly be trying it. As I am new to your blog I'm not sure who Thing 2 is..... is it your little one, if so well done on converting Thing 2 to aubergines.
      I will certainly be trying your recipe.
      Best Wishes to you.
      Daphne

      Reply
      • Kristin King

        July 28, 2017 at 2:36 pm

        Hi Daphne! Yes, Thing 2 is my little one, although he is taller than I am now, so not so little anymore! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome

      July 27, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner Link up!

      Reply
    7. Milena | Craft Beering

      July 24, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      These are amazing:) I love eggplant so much that I am always looking for new ideas on how to prepare it:) Pinning to my Eggplant recipe board:)

      Reply
    8. Michele Morin

      July 23, 2017 at 9:39 pm

      This is ingenious! My kids don't like eggplant, but I love to grow it.

      Reply
    9. Kirsten

      July 25, 2015 at 10:06 am

      Kristin,
      Thanks for this recipe!
      I've added it to the Farm Fresh Feasts Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for folks like me who love to eat from the farm share.
      I appreciate your help in making this index better!

      Reply
      • Kristin King

        July 26, 2015 at 12:48 pm

        Thanks Kirsten! That index is a great idea!

        Reply
    10. Sandra - The Foodie Affair

      May 21, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      These look delish! I'm always looking for new ways to cook eggplant and wth all the goodies on these rounds, it's a whole meal!

      Reply
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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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