Oven-Baked Eggplant Parmesan

• Eggplant
• 2 medium eggplants, about 2 1/2 lb total
• 1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 125 g
  Swaps for all-purpose flour

  Instead of all-purpose flour

  • Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: The same amount, a blend that includes xanthan gum. A little grittier and more crumbly, browns faster and dries out sooner.
  • Bread flour: The same amount. More gluten: chewier cookies and bread, tougher cakes.
  • Whole wheat flour: Up to half of the flour. Nuttier, darker and denser.

  All 4 swaps for all-purpose flour

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
  Swaps for kosher salt

  Instead of salt

  • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
  • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

  More for salt

• 3 large eggs
  Swaps for eggs

  Instead of eggs

  • Flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Binds well but gives less lift, so bakes are a little denser and flatter, with a mild nutty taste and brown flecks.
  • Chia egg: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Works like a flax egg: good binding, little lift, slightly denser crumb.
  • Unsweetened applesauce: ¼ cup for each egg. Moister and denser, with a soft, slightly gummy crumb if you swap more than one egg.

  All 5 swaps for eggs

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 tbsp water
• 2 cups panko
  Swaps for panko

  Instead of breadcrumbs

  • Panko and dry breadcrumbs: The same amount, either way. Panko is lighter and crunchier; fine crumbs make a denser, more even coating and a firmer binder.
  • Crushed crackers or cornflakes: The same amount. Crackers are saltier (cut other salt); cornflakes are extra crunchy and slightly sweet.
  • Rolled or quick oats: The same amount. A moist, tender binder; they don't crisp like crumbs.

  All 4 swaps for breadcrumbs

• ½ cup parmesan, finely grated ≈ 50 g
  Swaps for parmesan

  Instead of parmesan

  • Pecorino Romano: The same amount. Sharper and saltier (it is made from sheep's milk), so go easy on other salt.
  • Grana Padano: The same amount. Milder and a little softer, very close otherwise.
  • Nutritional yeast: 2 tbsp for each ¼ cup grated parmesan. Nutty and cheesy, but it doesn't melt or brown.

  More for parmesan

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 tsp italian seasoning
  Swaps for italian seasoning

  Instead of Italian seasoning

  • Homemade blend: For 1 tsp: ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp dried thyme (a pinch of rosemary if you have it). The same thing.
  • Herbes de Provence: The same amount. Similar, often with lavender; a little more floral.
  • Dried oregano alone: The same amount. Stronger and simpler.

  More for Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup olive oil, divided
  Swaps for olive oil

  Instead of olive oil

  • Avocado oil or another neutral oil: The same amount. No olive flavor; avocado oil handles higher heat.
  • Butter: The same amount. Richer and nutty when browned.
  • A neutral oil + more seasoning: The same amount. Dressings lose the fruity, peppery note; a little extra lemon, garlic or mustard makes up for it.

  More for olive oil

• Assembly
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 12 oz mozzarella, shredded (about 3 cups)
• ½ cup parmesan, finely grated ≈ 50 g
  Swaps for parmesan

  Instead of parmesan

  • Pecorino Romano: The same amount. Sharper and saltier (it is made from sheep's milk), so go easy on other salt.
  • Grana Padano: The same amount. Milder and a little softer, very close otherwise.
  • Nutritional yeast: 2 tbsp for each ¼ cup grated parmesan. Nutty and cheesy, but it doesn't melt or brown.

  More for parmesan

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• ¼ cup fresh basil, torn
  Swaps for fresh basil

  Instead of basil

  • Dried basil: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Flatter and more savory: dried basil loses its sweet, clove-like smell.
  • Spinach or arugula + parsley (for pesto): The same amount of greens. Greener and milder (arugula is peppery); still a good pesto.
  • Fresh mint or oregano: Half as much. Different but fresh; mint suits Thai dishes, oregano suits Italian.

  More for basil

Different pan? Written for 9x13-inch rectangle; rescale the amounts for an 8x8, 9x13, round, loaf or sheet pan.

Cooking for a crowd? Pans, timing and salt for 12 to 50.

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.