Lebanese Moussaka- Eggplant Chickpea Stew

If you’re looking for a quick Mediterranean eggplant recipe, this is the right place for you! Lebanese Moussaka is a simple delicious eggplant and chickpea stew that is infused with Middle Eastern flavors. This flavorful Lebanese Moussaka is vegan, easy to make, Gluten free, and perfect for the whole family!

Lebanese Moussaka is made with eggplants, chickpeas, onions, garlic, tomatoes and tomato paste. It’s luscious and hearty yet totally plant-based and vegan. It can be made ahead, as leftovers get even more flavorful as the flavors have time to meld.

What is Lebanese Moussaka or Maghmour?

Lebanese Moussaka is a popular Middle Eastern eggplant chickpea stew, also known as Maghmour, Msakaa, Msaka, Musakaa, M’saka or Moussaka Batinjan; Batinjan translates to eggplant in Arabic.

Lebanese Moussaka is different from the the Greek layered casserole type of dish. Mediterranean Moussaka starts with eggplant that’s cubed and cooked until golden brown. While that’s happening, onion and garlic are sautéed and then stewed in a delicious rich tomato sauce before cooked chickpeas and eggplants are added. This Lebanese eggplant stew is an easy protein packed meat- free meal that is great for meal prep.

Lebanese Moussaka Batinjan Ingredients:

This eggplant Moussaka require a few ingredients, including:

Eggplant: Air fried, baked or deep fried.

Cooked chickpeas: You will need about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas. 

Onion: Sliced into wedges. 

Garlic: Sliced into circles. 

Extra virgin olive oil

Fresh tomatoes: I like to blend ripe tomatoes using a food processor, but you can also finely dice the tomatoes. 

Tomato paste- thinned with water

Salt

Eggplant in Lebanese Moussaka: 

In the authentic version of this vegetarian chickpea and eggplant moussaka recipe, eggplant is usually deep fried. In this recipe, I used my air fryer to cook the eggplants. So, if you are looking for a healthier moussaka version, I suggest air frying or baking the eggplants. They will taste just the same, if not even better! Check out the section below for roasted eggplant tips. 

Air Fryer Eggplant for Lebanese Moussaka:

• Preheat air fryer to 400 F°.
• Peel the eggplant skin off in stripes, don’t remove the skin entirely and cut into bite size cubes. 

• Place in air fryer basket in a single layer (you might need to cook in batches). Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes to make sure they cook evenly.

How to Cook Eggplant in the Oven:

If you don’t own an air fryer, you can roast the eggplant cubes instead. 

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
• Arrange eggplant cubes in a single layer on a greased parchment paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the eggplant cubes with a pinch of salt. 
• Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the eggplant.  Toss to make sure that the eggplant is coated completely.
• Bake the eggplant until just fork tender, about 25 minutes. 

Tips to Making the Best Lebanese Moussaka Recipe: 

• Authentically, the eggplant is usually deep fried in this recipe, which you can certainly do! I think that air frying the eggplant is just as good, without all the extra fats. 
• Instead of canned chickpeas, you can cook your own dry chickpeas. Just remember to soak them overnight, then boil until they’re just soft and tender. 
• You can use canned tomato sauce instead of fresh tomatoes. 

How to Serve this Eggplant Middle Eastern Dish: 

Serve Lebanese Moussaka with pita bread! Moussaka translates to cold in Arabic and is typically served cold or at room temperature by scooping it with bite size pieces of pita bread. We enjoy it, cold, warm and hot. It would make the perfect dish for slow weekend dinners, or you could make it ahead of time to enjoy throughout the week! 

Eggplant is one versatile ingredient that you can use in many delicious ways. I have a few other Mediterranean eggplant recipes on the blog, Vegetarian Eggplant Chickpea Fatteh, Baba Ganoush- Eggplant Dip and Sheikh el Mahshi- Stuffed Eggplant.

Hope you enjoy this decadent, Lebanese stew with Eggplant and Chickpeas!  It’s healthy, vegan, and bursting with Middle Eastern flavors. If you try it, leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #thesaltandsweetkitchen on Instagram so I repost to my stories.

How to Make Lebanese Moussaka Stew

Continue to Content

Lebanese Moussaka- Eggplant chickpea Stew

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This Lebanese Moussaka is a delicious vegan eggplant and chickpea stew cooked in rich tomato sauce. 

Print

Ingredients

• 2 medium Eggplants- pealed and cut into cubes
• 2 15 oz chickpeas cans- rinsed and drained
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Large Onion, sliced in thin wedges
• 5 Garlic cloves, cut into rounds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 ripe tomato (blended or finely diced)
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1.5 cups Water

Instructions

Prepare the Eggplant for Air Frying:

1. Pre heat air fryer temperature to 400 F° and grease basket with cooking spray.
2. Peel the eggplant skin off in stripes, don't remove the skin entirely.
3. Cut into 2 inches cubes.
4. Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt and mix lightly to coat. 
5. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes to make sure they cook evenly. 
6. Set aside.
   

Prepare Eggplant Moussaka:

1. In a medium size pot over medium heat, heat olive oil, then add onion, garlic and salt. Cook until wilted but not browned- about 8 minutes.
2. In small bowl, mix water and tomato paste until well combined.
3. Pour over the onion and garlic mixture, then add the diced tomatoes and mix well. Bring to a boil.
4. Add chickpeas and eggplant, lower heat to medium low, cover the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes. 
5. Transfer to a serving plate.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley if you'd like.
7. Serve hot, cold or at room temperature and enjoy!

Recommended Products

The recommended products below are affiliate links to products I use and love!

• 
  COSORI Air Fryer Max XL(100 Recipes) 5.8 QT Electric Hot Oven Oilless Cooker LED Touch Digital Screen with 11 Presets, Preheat and Shake Reminder, Nonstick Basket, 5.8QT, Black
• 
  Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY14-Cup 14 Cup Food Processor, Silver
• 
  Ninja C39900 Foodi 16-Piece Cookware Set NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Slate Grey
• 
  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 372mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 16gSugar: 15gProtein: 15g

Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram