Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes: A Healthy Crunch?

Air fryer fried green tomatoes are a delicious, healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. With a crispy coating and a tangy tomato taste, this Southern comfort food can be made with just a little oil and served with a variety of sauces.

How to prepare the tomatoes

Preparing the tomatoes for the air fryer is a straightforward process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare your tomatoes for air frying:

Firstly, select good firm tomatoes that are green and have reached their mature size, but not hard. Cut the tomatoes into slices that are around 1/4-inch thick. The slices should be evenly thick to ensure consistent cooking.

Next, you will need to prepare three separate dishes for dredging the tomato slices. In the first dish, place some all-purpose flour. You can use a shallow bowl or pie plate for easy clean-up. The second dish will contain your wet ingredients: beat together some eggs and buttermilk. You can adjust the number of eggs and the amount of buttermilk based on how many tomatoes you are preparing. The final dish will contain the dry breading mixture. Combine Panko or plain breadcrumbs with yellow cornmeal. You can also add in some Creole seasoning, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, or other spices of your choice for extra flavour.

Now you are ready to coat the tomato slices. First, dredge the tomato slices in the flour, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg and buttermilk mixture, ensuring the slices are well coated. Finally, dredge each slice in the breadcrumb and cornmeal mixture, pressing the coating onto the tomato slices to ensure they are fully covered.

At this stage, you can place the coated tomato slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space around each slice. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tomatoes in batches. Lightly spray the tops of the tomatoes with cooking spray or olive oil.

Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, adjusting the temperature and time as needed. As a guide, cook the tomatoes at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes, then flip them over, spray with oil or cooking spray again, and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the tomatoes to ensure they do not overcook and become too soft.

Your air-fried green tomatoes are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried green tomatoes.

How to make the coating

To make the coating for your air-fried green tomatoes, you'll need a few simple ingredients: flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and some seasonings. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make the coating:

• Set up your breading station: Grab three shallow bowls or dishes. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, whisk together eggs and a little buttermilk or milk. For the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs and cornmeal, and feel free to add some Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, paprika, or any other seasonings you like. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to the flour and egg mixture for extra flavour.
• Dredge the tomatoes: Take each green tomato slice and coat it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it's well-coated. Finally, dredge the tomato slice in the breadcrumb and cornmeal mixture, pressing the coating onto the tomato to ensure it sticks.
• Spritz with oil: Once all your tomato slices are coated, give them a light spritz of oil. This will help them get nice and crispy in the air fryer.
• Air-fry: Place the coated tomato slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Air-fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes, then flip them over, spritz with oil again, and air-fry for an additional 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

That's it! With these simple steps, you'll have delicious, crispy air-fried green tomatoes with a tasty coating. Enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

How to cook the tomatoes

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make air-fried green tomatoes:

• Green tomatoes
• Oil or cooking spray
• Eggs
• Milk
• Flour
• Salt and pepper
• Cornmeal
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan
• Italian seasoning

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your tomatoes by slicing them into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Pat the tomato slices dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

Next, you will need three separate dishes for dredging. In the first dish, place some flour. In the second dish, whisk together some eggs and milk. In the third dish, mix together cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and any additional seasonings you may want to add, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or Parmesan cheese.

Now you are ready to start dredging the tomatoes. First, coat the tomato slices in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, followed by the cornmeal mixture. Be sure to press the cornmeal mixture onto the tomatoes to ensure an even coating.

Once all your tomatoes are coated, spritz your air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. Place the tomatoes into the basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Spritz the tops of the tomatoes with oil or cooking spray.

Cook the tomatoes in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 400°F. Then, flip them over, spritz with oil or cooking spray again, and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Serve your air-fried green tomatoes with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, salsa, or a homemade comeback sauce.

Tips

• Don't overlap the tomatoes in the air fryer. Cook them in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Don't apply too much of the egg and flour coating. Shake off any excess before moving to the next stage so that each tomato has an even coating.
• For easier cleanup, use air fryer parchment paper or an air fryer-safe oil mister.

What to serve with fried green tomatoes

There are many options for what to serve with fried green tomatoes, whether as a side dish, appetiser, or part of a larger meal.

As a Side Dish

Fried green tomatoes can be served as a side to grilled meats, or with barbecued chicken, black-eyed peas, succotash, or grits. They can also be served on a bed of lettuces with burrata, fresh basil, and balsamic.

As an Appetiser

Fried green tomatoes can be served as an appetiser with a dip such as ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, garlic cilantro sauce, Mediterranean sauce, or remoulade.

As Part of a Larger Meal

Fried green tomatoes can be used as a substitute for regular tomatoes in a BLT or a caprese salad, or as a base for an "eggs benedict" with crab cakes instead of Canadian bacon. They can also be served with roast beef, cheddar, shredded lettuce, and onions, or as part of a veggie plate.

How to store leftovers

If you have any leftovers of your air-fried green tomatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

You can also reheat them in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook these for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway.

If you want to freeze your leftovers, let the tomatoes cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to eat them, bake them according to the instructions above, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to account for them starting out frozen.

Frequently asked questions