These hearty eggplant meatballs are the perfect finger food to serve to babies and toddlers, and they’re a healthy dinner menu item for moms and dads too. Serve to the family for a hearty meatless Monday meal or as a unique, vegetarian-friendly appetizer for dinners guests.
Eggplant is the meatiest of vegetables and is the perfect base for meat-less meatballs since it has a similar chewy, bite. This nightshade not only lends well to a vegetarian diet but is a great addition to any diet since it’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), B vitamins, folate and vitamin C. Eggplant is also rich in minerals, boasting a large quantity of potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous.
A few years ago I decided to adopt a more vegetarian-based diet. Although I don’t miss the taste nor texture of meat, I still crave those hearty, filling meals that were once my faves-in this case, meatballs!
I’ve made many variations of meatless meatballs in the past, including quinoa and lentil based ones, however, these are the most similar in texture and consistency to traditional ones.
Once cooked, these tender meatballs are surprisingly flavorful making it easy to forget that you may normally be eating beef. Not only are these great for vegetarians, but for meat-eaters (who are willing to give vegetarian meals a chance!).
These scrumptious, two-bite eggplant meatballs are a great addition to a hearty plate of pasta, simply smothered in warm, homemade tomato sauce, or stuffed into a meatball sandwich and smothered in melted cheese. Or, you can just eat them by themselves!
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
sounds delish… but you mentioned the eggplant meatballs can be baked, but didn’t include baking instructions?
Hi Patti, you can bake them in the oven at 350 degrees (turning them once) for 20-25 minutes, or until browned.
I just made these…they are good but mine came out very soft on the inside, while the pics seem to indicate a more crispy outer shell….not sure what I did wrong. In any event they were good.
Thanks for the feedback! Is it possible the oil wasn’t warm enough, or you needed to cook them for longer? It could also dependant on the eggplant perhaps, as some varieties could retain more water?!
You mentioned a diced red pepper in the recipe list but I don’t see when that’s added….I added it after the onions were sauteed and wondering if it’s an error it was included in the recipe? My oil was hot, so not sure…next time maybe I’ll leave the red pepper out.
I love Eggplants like the next person but never thought about making them in meatballs, these look really delicious
I’ve just come back from Sicily and had them there for the first time they are absolutely delicious I’m going to try to make them myself
I’m sure they were absolutely delicious!! I’d love to hear how these turn out for you!
Eggplant is OK but maybe I’ll try this with zucchini. Great alternative for those who don’t eat meat, but that’s not me. I do look for veggie ideas though.
I’m sure these would turn out great with zucchini too! You could also mix the eggplant with some ground beef too.
they all look great as per usual- to be honest I have never tried egg plant but if you say it is good then I will try it
Thank you! I think you would like this!
I’m not a huge fan of eggplant, but I am very willing to give this a try since all of your recipes always look and sound delicious and the ones that I HAVE tried were heavenly. 🙂
You have to try this! You could even mix in some eggplant with ground beef so the flavour isn’t too over-powering!
What an awesome idea! I love fried eggplant. I bet these are amazing! Especially with spaghetti sauce!
Thanks! I know…I love it too but don’t make it too often!
This is awesome! I think this could be great for trying to be vegetarian people like me.
Definitely! I think it appeals to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike!
Oh now this different and sounds really interesting. I’ve never tried eggplant before, but this looks really good and like I would probably love it as a meatball!
Never, really? This would be a great way to try them 😉
I have to admit I have never had eggplant meatballs before but it does sound interesting. I love eggplant so I will have to try these for sure.Thanks for sharing.
If you like eggplant then I think you will love these!
This is a good one for kids who does not like veggies. The eggplant in the meatball would be healthy for them.
Definitely! You’d just have to be sure to puree them until super smooth so they go completely unnoticed!
Oh swell! Now I’m Hungry and it’s only 1:15 a.m. ~snicker~ Those sound delicious. I have got to pin this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Lol! Thanks for pinning and sharing!
Oh man, I am SO pinning this post! Not only do I love meatless recipes for myself, but I can see how these would be perfect for (my future) kiddos! Thank you;).
Thanks for sharing!
I love eggplant and what a great way to incorporate them into meatballs! One day soon I would like to try this recipe! I great way to go meatless for the day!
I think they’re the perfect veggie to incorporate in them because of their meaty texture!
I love eggplant! This look likes a recipe that we could definitely try on our next Meatless Monday – the kids would really enjoy this.
Great! Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Eggplant is one of the few veggies I don’t care for. I’ve tried it so many different ways but haven’t found a way I like it.
It does tend to have a bitter taste…I do think the strong flavour is disguised quite well in these. You could also make traditional meatballs and then add just a bit of eggplant too!
These sound so good! My kids decided this weekend they want to make up some meatballs, we may have to try this out!
Great! I would love feedback if you try them!
I’d definitely have to try these with a few different pasta recipes. They look really good!
Next time I make them, I’m going to smother them in tomato sauce 😉
This is such a great option for meatballs! I love trying to substitute veggies for meat sometimes for more healthy options!
I think it’s a great way to switch up meals every once in a while..even for those people who aren’t vegetarians!
minus the cheese and breadcrumbs, this is totally Paleo friendly!! YUM!!! I could sub the breadcrumbs for almond flour though!
Almond flour would definitely work…I use it often as a substitute for regular flour or breadcrumbs!
These meatballs look yummy. My kids don’t like eggplants, but when they’re disguised like these, I’m sure they’ll try the meatballs.
If you puree them until smooth they won’t notice a thing! Or, you could even incorporate some eggplant into traditional meatballs!
Oh wow, thanks for sharing this. I pinned your post so I can make this later with mthe eggplant I harvested from my garden.
Thanks for pinning and sharing! Homegrown veggies are the best!
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’m a really strict vegetarian and my husband isn’t, but he loves eggplant!
Same with my husband and I! This is the PERFECT meal for both of us!