Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 72 votes

Eggplant Fritters - Melitzanokeftedes

These easy eggplant fritters are fantastic as an appetizer, finger food, or a quick dinner paired with a salad.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Servings: 12 fritters
Calories: 158 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggplants
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for brushing
  • 1 cup Greek feta cheese crumbled
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon oregano heaping
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves coarsely chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
you also need
  • light olive oil for deep-frying. You can also use vegetable oil.
  • fresh basil leaves for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat oven to 350°F
  2. Cut the eggplants in half, then score the flesh deeply in a diamond cross-hatch pattern with two or three long cuts, rotating the eggplant to make another set of cuts. Brush a little olive oil on the flesh and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  3. Place eggplant halves flesh side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
  4. Scoop out the flesh and add it to a large bowl. Add 2 cups breadcrumbs, 2 garlic cloves minced, two eggs, the chopped herbs, and one cup crumbled feta cheese. Mix well.
  5. Heat 3-4 tablespoons of light olive oil in a medium skillet.
  6. Take a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and add it to the hot oil. Tidy up the fritter shape a little bit with the spoon. Add two more fritters, don't overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes. Carefully, turn fritters midway for a golden brown color all over.
  7. Place fritters on paper towels to absorb most of the oil. Serve fritters with a yogurt-based sauce, marinara, or whipped feta cheese.

Notes

  • This fritter mixture will not be firm; it will be soft and fluffy. Scoop a full tablespoon of the mixture, tidy it up in your hand and carefully place it in the hot oil. Use the spoon to shape it in the pan. Please don't turn the fritter on the other side too soon. It might fall apart. Do a test first with one fritter to check how long to fry and when to flip sides.
  • You can use a variety of cheeses in this recipe.  Feta, kefalotiri, grated parmesan, pecorino romano, gruyere, etc. they are all good.
  •  
  • For a quick and easy sauce to go with these fritters mix:
  •  
  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.
  • 1 cup of greek yogurt like Fage
  • a pinch of sea salt
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped mint

Nutrition Information

Calories 158kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 19g (6%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 38mg (13%) Sodium 284mg (12%) Potassium 249mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 249IU (5%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 119mg (12%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12fritters

Amount Per Serving

Calories 158

% Daily Value*

Calories 158kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 19g 6%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 284mg 12%
Potassium 249mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 249IU 5%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 119mg 12%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.