Description
Perfectly caramelized roasted eggplant slices seasoned with garlic and olive oil for a simple yet flavorful side dish. This easy recipe brings out eggplant’s natural sweetness while creating golden edges and a tender center.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 medium eggplants (~1 lb each)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C). This high temperature is key to achieving those caramelized edges while keeping the inside tender. Make sure your oven is fully heated before adding the eggplant for even cooking. - Slice the eggplant
Slice each eggplant crosswise into circles approximately 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. Keep the leafy end intact while slicing to provide better grip, and only remove it after you’ve finished slicing all pieces. Uniform thickness ensures the slices cook evenly. - Season the eggplant
Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on an extra large baking sheet. Brush one side with olive oil and season with sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Flip each slice and repeat the seasoning process on the other side, ensuring even coverage of oil and seasonings. - Roast to perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 30-35 minutes until the eggplant slices become soft, golden, and caramelized. You can flip the slices halfway through cooking for more even browning, but this step is optional as they’ll cook well either way.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding Italian herbs, smoked paprika, or Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of roasting.
- Eggplant absorbs oil quickly, so brush it on rather than drizzling to control the amount used.
- These roasted slices can be served hot or at room temperature.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.
- For a smoky flavor, try cooking on a grill instead of in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 slices (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 296mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
