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Easy Eggplant Parmesan

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grain free eggplant parmesan easy recipe Easy Eggplant Parmesan

Since my husband is Italian, I’m always looking for healthy versions of Italian dishes that he likes. We had a lot of eggplant recently in the garden and CSA, and since all I’ve ever known to do with eggplant is make Eggplant Parmesan… I did.

This recipe turned out really well, and the kids, who have never been huge fans of eggplant, really liked it. I figured that some of you might be missing Italian foods now that you are grain free, so this is a healthy alternative.

Easy Eggplant Parmesan
 
grain free eggplant parmesan easy recipe Easy Eggplant Parmesan
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Eggplant parmesan breaded in coconut flour with healthy grain free sauce!
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
  • 2-3 medium sized eggplants
  • salt
  • about ½ cup coconut flour (or almond flour)
  • ⅓ cup arrowroot powder (can use more coconut if you don’t have this)
  • garlic, salt, pepper and basil leaf
  • 3-4 eggs
  • 1 TBSP heavy cream (optional)
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) of pasta sauce (check ingredients!)
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • tallow, lard or coconut oil

Instructions
  1. About an hour before preparing, peel eggplant and slice into ¼ to ½ inch slices. Place eggplant in strainer and sprinkle heavily with salt. Let sit for 45 mins to 1 hour. This sweats the eggplant and makes it much less bitter. Rinse well with water and pat dry
  2. Put lard, tallow or coconut oil (about 1-2 cups) in a large skillet and turn on medium heat.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  4. Mix coconut flour, arrowroot, 2 T parmesan and spices in large bowl or on a large plate
  5. Beat eggs with heavy cream, if using
  6. Dip eggplant in egg mixture, then in coconut flour mixture and place in hot oil in skillet
  7. Cook approximately 4 minutes per side until browned
  8. As eggplant is finished, place in a 13×9 baking dish
  9. Pour pasta sauce over the eggplant and then top with parmesan and mozzarella, if desired
  10. Heat in oven until cheese is melted and sauce is heated.

What is your favorite healthy italian dish? Let me know below!

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  • Sarahb

    Do you make your own pasta sauce or do you buy? And if you buy, which brand(s) are acceptable?

  • Getfitkate

    Yummy looking recipe. 

    When I make eggplant parm, I use finely ground parm to coat the eggplant, after a soak in egg and cream.  Its very good.  I’ve done it with chicken as well.  One good trick I’ve learned when making parm, is that if you can’t make your own sauce, store-bought vodka cream sauce is usually your best bet for the least amount of carbs and fewest weird ingredients.  Its pretty good baked with all the goodness of your eggplant and covered in mozzarella.  Yum. 

  • Wildflower Scraps

    Slicing the eggplant in rounds and a little thicker would allow for faux pizzas! Top with pizza sauce, mozz and your favorite toppings, easy peasy!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I usually make my own… but when I run out, I buy a brand in a glass jar with no added ingredients, like Classico is one I think.

  • Corrie

    I have a question for you. There have been many times when I haven’t been able to find or afford a brand of sauce that has no added ingredients. When that is the case, do you think it is better to buy a brand that has a little added sugar (say fifth or sixth ingredient out of 10) and uses olive oil or buy one that has canola/soy oil but no sugar added? I’m trying to give my kids what they want and still protect their health and I don’t know which is worse, sugar or processed oils. Thanks for the advice.

  • MaryanneA

    How about making Eggplant Dip (Greek:  Melitzanosalata)?  Love this recipe:

    2 1/2 lb eggplants
    1/4 tsp salt
    3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    1/2 cup EVOO
    4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
    2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

    Preheat broiler or barbecue and grill eggplants until skin is charred & flesh soft.  Hold under cold running water briefly to cool, then peel skin off (don’t allow to cool too much – just cool enough to handle, or flesh will turn black).  Put peeled flesh in strainer to cool completely.  Roughly chop the flesh and transfer to a bowl.  Add salt & garlic. Beating constantly w/ electric mixer on medium speed, gradually add the oil until all absorbed.  Gradually add vinegar to taste, a bit at a time.  Transfer to serving dish to chill.  Before serving, garnish with parsley.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    this sounds great!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    definitely a “worst of two evils” type situation, but I’d opt for a small amount of sugar over PUFAs, especially for developing kids!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    definitely a “worst of two evils” type situation, but I’d opt for a small amount of sugar over PUFAs, especially for developing kids!

  • Don

    I never thought of using coconut flour but I’ll have to try that. Eggplant parm is one of my fav dishes. I like to use parm cheese, mozzerella, provalone and another cheese of choice. The pasta sause from Trader Joe’s is awesome. I never thought I would say something like that bc I was always against jar sause but it is good and no nasty oils in it. It’s the organic fat free one. If you want something really easy get their marinated eggplant in the frozen section (the down side it has some of those nasty oils in it) and put on some sause and fresh mozzerella  and you won’t believe how good that is. blessings!!!

  • Veronica

    I love eggplant, but hubby doesn’t.  Going to try this with chicken :-)  Better get to it now while the kids are sleeping….

  • Pingback: Chicken Parmesan [Low-Carb, Grain-free] — Wellness Mama

  • Alana

    I always put my eggplant parmesan over a bed of fresh spinach.  The piping hot eggplant cooks the spinach as it sits to a perfect doneness and the little bit of raw spinach around the edge just adds texture.  

  • Alana

    I always put my eggplant parmesan over a bed of fresh spinach.  The piping hot eggplant cooks the spinach as it sits to a perfect doneness and the little bit of raw spinach around the edge just adds texture.  

  • mamalama

    Mario Batali makes the best jar sauce. Nothing bad in it. All fresh ingredients. I buy it at costco. I’m making this recipe with it right now, I’ll let you know how it turns out.

  • mamalama

    Delicious! Almond flour, Batali cherry tomato sauce, grapeseed oil for frying, and my husband’s home made raw milk asiago cheese.   yum

  • http://www.facebook.com/amanda.armagost.5 Amanda Armagost

    This recipe is incredible! It’s much better than any traditional eggplant parmesan I’ve ever tasted. I had to double the breading, but that’s because my almond flour is pretty coarse. We served with Arugula salad, and it was a big hit around here!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003350145876 Amarellia Gautier

    Grapeseed oil should never be used for frying, despite what you’ve heard. Yes, it has a high smoke-point, but it’s a polyunsaturated fat which means it will oxidize quickly, which is not a good thing. Your better bet for frying is peanut oil or coconut oil. Grapeseed oil is wonderful for baking or eating raw in salads.