Sticky, spicy, sweet and sour, this healthy kung pao eggplant recipe is a deliciously wholesome alternative to Chinese takeout!
Kung Pao Chicken is one of America’s favorite Chinese restaurant dishes.
It’s also quite possibly one of the least healthy options, with over 700 calories and 42 grams of fat in a single order.
In this healthy kung pao makeover, that addictively sticky kung pao sauce is soaked up by the diced eggplant and veggies.
It gives you all the flavor of traditional kung pao while cutting way back on the extra fat, calories, and sugar.
For dessert, make Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make the kung pao dish even healthier, I served mine with a side of cooked barley.
It would also be great over quinoa, rice noodles, or even spaghetti squash (See: How To Cook Spaghetti Squash).
If you want to try replacing some or all of the eggplant with extra firm tofu or beans for extra protein, be sure to report back with results. It sounds like a delicious and fun experiment.
And feel free to omit the red pepper flakes if you don’t want your kung pao spicy… or add extra if you want it even hotter.
The recipe was inspired by this Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
For the vegetables, I used red peppers, but any bell peppers will do nicely. Or you can even substitute chopped carrot for the bell pepper.
And if you are eating soy free or peanut free, feel free to omit the nuts and play around with coconut aminos or Braggs and a little extra salt for an allergy friendly alternative.
This healthy kung pao recipe can be completely vegan and gluten free!
Kung Pao Eggplant
Ingredients
- 5 cups eggplant, cubed small (12 oz)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- chopped peanuts and green onions, for garnish
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp white wine or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1 1/2 tsp white or apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 tsp sweetener of choice, or pinch uncut stevia
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or as desired – omit for non spicy version
Instructions
- Fully dissolve the cornstarch or arrowroot in the water, then whisk together with everything except the first three ingredients. Pour half of this sauce over the eggplant and pepper, reserving the other half. Refrigerate for an hour to marinate. (If you’re in a rush, you can skip the hour’s wait. The actual prep and cook work take under 20 minutes.) Sauté all ingredients except the garnishes in a little oil or oil spray over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until eggplant and pepper are soft. Add garnishes, and serve over cooked rice or barley if desired.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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Natasha @ Thoughts of Tradition says
This tasted excellent. I normally do not like eggplant, but this turned out to be delightful: so chewy and sticky. Here’s some feedback:
– I served this over white rice. It pairs well with it and it tastes like vegan Chinese takeout.
– If you like your food saucy, double the sauce recipe and use 1/4 of the batch as a marinade, reserving the remaining 3/4 for the sauce.
I didn’t have peanuts, so I substituted salted cashews and it worked fine. Also, I doubled the entire recipe, and it served four people comfortably with the addition of rice.
I will undoubtedly prepare this again. Thank you very much for the recipe!
Natasha says
What a coincidence- I posted this comment exactly four years ago, and today I actually decided to make this dish again! Lol. Except I’m married now and I’m making it for me and my husband! Definitely using your recipe instead of someone else’s. I’m going to try replacing the peppers with carrots
CCK Media Team says
What are the odds?? Thank you so much for making it 🙂
Natasha @ Thoughts of Tradition says
Another photo:
Jason Sanford says
That looks so good!!!
Donna says
Delicious! A little shocked at the non-cloyingnedd of the sauce at first, but was happy at the second bite. I love your site, please post more easy dinner recipes likes this!
Brooke says
I mixed up the directions a bit and it still turned out wonderfully. So easy!! I was dicing my eggplant when I realised the largest one had a big bad spot – oops! So I cut a block of tofu – maybe one third each tofu, eggplant, red pepper. Really delicious. I added cashews and green onion as that is what I had on hand. The recipe worked great as is – if you wanted it saucy I would consider doubling the sauce. I may pre fry the tofu next time to change the texture a little. A keeper of a recipe – and like many of Katiesè recipies, super vercitile based on what you have on hand (my favorite kind of recipe LOL).
Jennifer says
I made this yesterday and accidentally put too much pepper in. Not to worry I added in some Veggie Broth and turned it into Kung Pao Soup! Was really tasty and I served with Quinoa. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!