Mini eggplant pizza bites are a popular Julia Child recipe and one of my favorite easy vegetarian dinners. 

I’ve been making Julia Child‘s mini eggplant pizzas for years and had to share them before eggplant season ended. They have all the flavors of pizza but are naturally gluten-free and low carb. Eggplant pizza bites are easy to make with just a few ingredients. 

If you love eggplant and pizza, you also have to try this top-rated Vegan Eggplant Parmesan, my authentic Pizza Dough and Pizza Sauce recipes, and my review of the coveted Ooni Pizza Oven! Grab a glass of clean wine and you’re ready to cook. 

Why This Recipe Works so Well 

Eggplant is a staple in Mediterranean cooking and works beautifully with tomatoes and cheese. In Julia Child’s brilliant recipe, pizza crust is replaced by eggplant rounds, for a more nutritious, and I think more delicious take on pizza. 

The eggplant is sliced ¾” thick and baked until tender but still holding its structure. At the same time, a very simple yet delicious sauce simmers on the stove with just a few ingredients – a can of petite diced tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and dried herbs. 

Once the eggplant and sauce are finished cooking, the eggplant gets topped, still on the baking sheet, with sauce and flavorful cheeses. The cheese melts under the broiler in just a few minutes and they are ready to eat your mini eggplant pizzas! 

Variations & Substitutions 

While Julia’s recipe is perfect as-is, there are simple ways to customize it depending on dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences. 

• Vegan Eggplant Pizza: Use dairy-free cheese such as Follow Your Heart and/or Miyoko’s. 
• Shortcut: Use store-bought or leftover homemade pizza sauce. 
• Grilled Eggplant Pizza: Cook the eggplant slices completely on the grill. Then top and with sauce and cheese and pop under the broiler or close the grill top to melt. 
• Additional toppings: Add sliced olives or mushrooms if desired. 
• Mini Eggplant Pizza Bites: Use a few baby eggplants or a Japanese eggplant (no need to salt) for bite-sized pizzas. Cook time may need to be reduced so check as they bake. 

What to Serve with Eggplant Pizza

I like to enjoy these simply with a green salad and a piece of crusty bread, but they are great with any Italian or Mediterranean dish. Here are more tasty ideas.