Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

These Air Fryer fried green tomatoes are crispy, tangy and delicious, and the perfect way to enjoy your favorite Southern classic twist without the guilt. 

Air frying takes those fresh green tomatoes to a whole new level, and with minimal oil, you’ll actually be able to enjoy them to the fullest. Serve them as an appetizer or side dish with your favorite Southern comfort food, or use them in your homemade sandwiches- they’re amazing either way! 

My love affair with my Air Fryer takes me to new heights of culinary experimentation, and truth be told, it is something I really enjoy. 

And when it comes to using fresh tomatoes, it really couldn’t get better! My Air Fryer herbed balsamic roasted tomatoes, Air Fryer Parmesan potatoes and air fried cherry tomatoes are great options if you’re looking for a simple side dish. 

And guess what? You could also make sundried tomatoes in the Air Fryer– like what?

On my last trip to the farmer’s market, I spotted some fresh green tomatoes, and I just knew I had to try this recipe! 

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Crispy and delicious: These fried green tomatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy and tangy on the inside. The flavors and textures are just spot on! 
• Versatile: They’re super versatile. You can pair them with dipping sauces and serve them as a healthy snack or team them up with sandwiches or burgers. 
• Customizable: You can also customize the seasonings to your liking and transform the crispy tomatoes into something that you like. 
• Packed with flavor: These crispy green tomatoes have a delightful salty and tangy flavor which works great with any Southern-inspired meal.

Ingredients For the Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

• Green tomatoes: Start with firm, slightly hard green tomatoes. They should ideally be unripe to be able to hold their structure even after being air fried. 
• Flour: I used all purpose flour for the first coating. This helps the egg mixture and the breadcrumbs stick to the tomatoes nicely. Use gluten-free flour if you’re sensitive to gluten. 
• Eggs: Whisked eggs help the breadcrumbs stick to the surface and ensure that you get a nice crispy coating. This one’s a must! 
• Breadcrumbs: Use either plain or seasoned breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a great choice, but you could use regular ones too, if that’s what you have at hand. 
• Cornmeal: Just a little, for that bit of texture and a hint of sweetness. Skip this if you don’t have it at hand. 
• Seasonings: I used a mix of salt and pepper to season the tomatoes. You can also try using other seasonings of your choice to add depth and complexity of flavor to the dish. Garlic powder, paprika and cayenne are some good choices. 
• Cooking spray: To achieve that perfect crispy, golden finish without deep frying. Use olive oil spray if you don’t have cooking spray.

Variations & Substitutions

• Want to make vegan Air Fryer fried green tomatoes, skip using the egg wash and dip the tomato slices in some non-dairy milk to help the breadcrumbs stick to them. 
• Use pork rinds, coconut flour or almond flour instead of breadcrumbs to make low carb fried green tomatoes. 

How to Make Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

Slice tomatoes: Wash and clean the green tomatoes and cut them into slices of even thickness. 

Dredge time: Set up a dredging station with seasoned flour in a bowl, beaten eggs in another bowl and seasoned breadcrumbs with cornmeal in another bowl. 

Coat coat: Dip each sliced tomato into the flour, followed by the beaten eggs and then into the breadcrumb mixture until they’re all nicely coated on all sides.

Air fry: Lightly spray the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray, and transfer the tomato slices into it, in a single layer. Spray a bit of cooking spray on the top of the tomatoes too. 

Rest and serve: Air fry the tomatoes for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Once cooked, transfer them to a wire rack and let them rest for a few minutes before you serve them. 

Tips & Tricks to Make Fried Green Tomatoes in the Air Fryer  

• Choose firm and unripe green tomatoes for best results. Tomatoes that are ripe or too soft will become mushy when cooked. 
• Make sure the tomatoes are more or less uniformly sized. I would recommend keeping them about ½-¼ inch in thickness. 
• To add an extra flavor boost, season the flour with a bit of garlic powder and salt. 
• Don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket with too many tomato slices. Leave a little space for them to get exposed to the hot air and get that golden brown crispiness. 
• Let the dredged tomatoes rest for a few minutes before you air fry them. This gives them the chance to hold onto that coating nicely, and keeps the breadcrumbs from falling off while cooking. 
• To make cleanup easier, line the Air Fryer basket with parchment paper or liners (ideally ones that have holes in them), and then layer them with the green tomatoes. 

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: These crispy air fried green tomatoes taste best when you make and enjoy them fresh. If you do have some leftovers, you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days in an airtight container, and then reheat them when you want to have them. 

Freezing: You can actually prep these green tomatoes in advance and freeze them until you’re ready to have them. Simply dredge and coat them in the breadcrumbs, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them until they’re solid. 

Then, pack them in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze them for up to 2 months. 

Reheating: For the best crispy texture, reheat the green tomatoes in the Air Fryer. 

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

My favorite way to enjoy these crispy Air Fryer fried green tomatoes is to serve them with some remoulade sauce or cocktail sauce for dipping. 

You can also add them into your Air Fryer BBQ chicken sandwiches or crispy hot honey chicken sandwiches for a bit of extra crunch and deliciousness. 

And of course, if you want it to be a side with a Southern style meal, team it up with some Cracker Barrel Southern fried chicken or some keto Southern Air Fryer drumsticks. 

FAQs

Can I use red tomatoes to make this recipe? You can, but red tomatoes are usually softer and sweeter, and don’t hold up their shape well while air frying. 

How will I know the green tomatoes are cooked? To reach the perfect golden brown crispy texture, green tomatoes need about 8-12 minutes in the Air Fryer. 

Can I make these fried green tomatoes ahead of time? I would recommend making them fresh if you want to enjoy their crunchy texture. If you do want to prep these, make sure you reheat them in the Air Fryer to crisp them up again. 

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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• SMOKY SOUTHERN COMEBACK SAUCE
• ALFREDO DIP
• FRENCH ONION DIP
• MACDONALD’S TANGY BBQ SAUCE (COPYCAT RECIPE)
• HOMEMADE BLUE-CHEESE DRESSING