Eggplant Toasts with Goat Cheese and Walnuts Recipe
Delight in these savory Eggplant Toasts topped with creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. The eggplant is first salted to remove bitterness, then pan-fried until golden and tender before being baked with a flavorful topping of goat cheese, walnuts, fresh thyme, and olive oil. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or a light vegetarian snack.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 toasts 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Eggplant Preparation
- 1 large eggplant, cut into 0.5-inch (1.25cm) thick slices
- ½ tablespoon salt, plus more to taste
Toppings & Seasoning
- ¼ cup (60ml) Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (75g) goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup (40g) chopped walnuts
- 4–5 fresh thyme sprigs, stemmed
Instructions
- Salt and Drain Eggplant: Place the eggplant slices in a strainer and toss with ½ tablespoon of salt. Let them drain for 1 hour to remove excess moisture and bitterness. After draining, rinse the eggplant slices thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to prepare them for cooking.
- Pan-Fry Eggplant: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack in the middle and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the eggplant slices in batches without overlapping until they are soft and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
- Assemble and Bake: Arrange the fried eggplant slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Evenly sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and chopped walnuts over the slices. Top with fresh thyme leaves, then drizzle with extra olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-13 minutes, or until golden and fragrant.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the eggplant toasts warm or at room temperature as a delightful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Salting the eggplant is essential to reduce bitterness and excess water, improving texture and flavor.
- Ensure you pat the eggplant dry after rinsing to avoid soggy slices during frying.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or pine nuts for a variation in flavor.
- For a vegan version, replace goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Serve with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an added tangy dimension.
Keywords: eggplant toasts, goat cheese appetizer, walnut toppings, vegetarian snack, Mediterranean appetizer
