Air-Fried Green Tomatoes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air-fried green tomatoes are a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried green tomatoes. They are crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Using an air fryer means you can achieve that delicious taste with only a little bit of oil. The recipe is simple: slice the tomatoes, coat them in a breading of flour, egg, and cornmeal, and then cook them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. You can serve them with a variety of sauces, such as ranch, salsa, or a plant-based avocado and horseradish sauce.

Preparing the tomatoes

Firstly, slice your green tomatoes into uniform, even slices, preferably around 1/4 inch thick. This helps the tomatoes cook evenly and ensures a crispy texture without burning. Then, use paper towels to pat the tomato slices dry. Removing excess moisture will help the coating adhere better and improve crispiness.

Next, prepare three separate dishes for the coating. In the first dish, add plain flour with a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired. In the second dish, whisk together eggs and buttermilk or milk, and add a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce or Tabasco if you like it spicy. In the third dish, combine cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning, with a little garlic powder, paprika, or parmesan cheese, if you wish.

Now, you are ready to coat the tomato slices. First, dredge the tomato slices in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip them into the egg mixture, and finally, place them into the cornmeal/breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the coating onto the tomato slices to ensure it sticks.

Finally, spritz or brush the tops of the coated tomatoes with a light cooking spray or olive oil. This will help them brown nicely during cooking.

Making the batter

To make the batter for air-fried green tomatoes, you will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add some flour, preferably in a shallow dish. You can season the flour with salt and pepper, or use Cajun seasoning salt. In the second bowl, whisk eggs with buttermilk, and add hot sauce or a couple of tablespoons of Tabasco if you like it spicy. In the third bowl, mix together the cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. You can add Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and paprika to taste.

Before coating the tomatoes, slice them into uniform, 1/4-inch thick pieces. Blot them with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help the coating stick better and ensure crispiness. Now, you can start dredging the tomato slices. First, dip them in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, followed by the cornmeal mixture. Gently press the cornmeal mixture onto the tomatoes to ensure an even coating.

Coating the tomatoes

To coat the tomatoes, start by drying the slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better and ensures crispiness. Next, prepare three separate dishes for dredging. In the first dish, place some flour; you can season this with salt and pepper if you wish. In the second dish, whisk together some eggs and buttermilk or milk. You can also add hot sauce or Tabasco to this mixture if you like it spicy. The third dish should contain a mixture of breadcrumbs and cornmeal, along with any other seasonings you prefer, such as garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or Parmesan cheese.

Now, it's time to dredge the tomatoes. First, coat the tomato slices in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the tomatoes into the breadcrumbs to ensure the coating adheres well. You can also double-coat the tomatoes by repeating this process.

Cooking the tomatoes

To cook fried green tomatoes in an air fryer, start by slicing your tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a plate and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Next, prepare three separate dishes for dredging. In the first dish, place flour. In the second, whisk together eggs and buttermilk, and in the third, mix together panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and seasonings of your choice (such as garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning).

Now, it's time to dredge the tomato slices. First, coat them lightly with flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the tomatoes to ensure an even and adherent coating.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or spritz with olive oil. Place the breaded tomato slices in the basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the tomatoes with cooking spray or olive oil.

Air fry the tomatoes at a moderately high temperature, typically between 390-400°F (or 200°C). Cooking time can vary, but a good starting point is around 8-12 minutes for the first side, and then 3-5 minutes for the second side. Flip the tomatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even crispiness on both sides. If you notice any sticking or uneven cooking, gently shake the basket or flip the slices.

Once the tomatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They go well with various dipping sauces, such as ranch, salsa, sour cream, or a special sauce like caper mayonnaise.

You can also reheat any leftovers by stacking them in the air fryer basket and air-frying at 350°F (175°C) for 1-2 minutes.

Sauces and dips

There are a variety of sauces and dips that go well with air-fried green tomatoes. Here are some options:

Ranch dressing is a popular choice to serve with air-fried green tomatoes. You can opt for a homemade version or use a store-bought one.

If you want to spice things up, consider sriracha mayo. This sauce combines the tanginess of mayonnaise with the mild heat of sriracha, creating a delicious contrast to the crispy tomatoes.

For a tangy and savory experience, you can also serve your tomatoes with a side of Yum Yum Sauce. This sauce will add a unique flavor to your tomatoes and elevate the dish.

Another option is to make a caper mayo. To prepare this sauce, simply stir together mayonnaise, parsley, capers, mustard, hot sauce, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Refrigerate the mixture until you are ready to serve it. This sauce offers a blend of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.

Additionally, you can create a simple comeback sauce or opt for a honey mustard dip, both of which will enhance the taste of your air-fried green tomatoes.

Feel free to experiment with different sauces and dips to find your favorite combinations. You can also adjust the seasonings in your breading to complement your chosen sauce or dip.

Frequently asked questions