Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• You get the satisfying crisp of fried green tomatoes, but with much less oil and mess.
• It’s relatively quick and easy to make in the air fryer.
• The tangy, firm nature of green tomatoes pairs beautifully with the seasoned and crunchy coating.
• They make a great appetizer, side dish, or snack.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Green tomatoes (firm, unripe)
• Salt and pepper
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs (or egg + buttermilk)
• Cornmeal
• Breadcrumbs or panko
• Seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, cayenne)
• Cooking spray or oil mist

Directions

1. Slice and prep tomatoes
   • Wash the green tomatoes and dry them well.
   • Cut into uniform slices, about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.
   • Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper, and optionally let them rest a few minutes to draw out excess moisture.
2. Set up breading station
   • In one shallow dish: flour (seasoned with a little salt/pepper).
   • In another: beaten eggs (or egg mixed with buttermilk).
   • In a third dish: combine cornmeal, breadcrumbs (or panko), and your seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, cayenne).
3. Bread the slices
   • Dredge each tomato slice first in the flour, shaking off excess.
   • Dip into the egg mixture, letting extra drip away.
   • Press into the cornmeal-breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.
4. Preheat air fryer
   • Preheat your air fryer to about 400 °F (≈ 200 °C). (Air fry
   • Lightly spray or mist both sides (or the exposed side) of each breaded slice with cooking oil.
   • Place slices in a single layer in the fryer basket (avoid overlapping).
   • Cook for 5–6 minutes, then gently flip the slices, spray again with oil, and cook another 5–6 minutes or until golden and crisp.
   • Depending on thickness or your air fryer, you may need to adjust time slightly. Serve
   • Remove the fried green tomatoes carefully and let them rest briefly (on a rack or paper towel).
   • Serve warm with a dipping sauce of your choice (e.g. remoulade, ranch, spicy mayo).

Servings and timing

• Servings: about 4 (as an appetizer or side)
• Prep time: ~10–15 minutes
• Cook time: ~10–12 minutes (per batch)
• Total time: ~20–25 minutes

Variations

• Use buttermilk instead of plain egg for a richer flavor in the dredge.
• Add spices like cayenne or smoked paprika to the breading mixture for extra heat.Mix in grated Parmesan into the breadcrumb blend for a cheesy crust.
• Substitute gluten-free flour, cornmeal, and crumbs to make it gluten-free. After coating and before air frying, let the slices rest for a few minutes so the coating adheres better.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Let the slices cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
• Reheating: Use the air fryer — about 350 °F (175 °C) for 2–4 minutes to re-crisp them.Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soggy.

FAQs

Why use green tomatoes instead of ripe ones?

Green tomatoes are firmer and less juicy, which helps them hold their shape during frying. Ripe tomatoes tend to be too soft and can fall apart.

Do I have to flip them during cooking?

Yes — flipping ensures both sides get crispy and brown. Plus, spraying the second side with oil helps crisping.

Can I skip the cornmeal and use only breadcrumbs?

Yes — but mixing cornmeal and breadcrumbs gives the traditional texture and extra crunch.

Will the breading fall off easily?

If you pat the tomato slices dry, don’t overhandle during flipping, and let the coating set a little before cooking, the breading will adhere better.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can bread them ahead, but it’s best to air fry right before serving for maximum crispness.

How thick should the tomato slices be?

About ¼ inch (6 mm) works well — thick enough to hold together, thin enough to cook through.

What dipping sauces go well?

Remoulade, spicy mayo, ranch, aioli, or even a tangy yogurt sauce are all good choices.

Can I freeze the fried green tomatoes?

It’s possible, but texture may degrade. For better results, freeze the breaded slices (uncooked) and air fry from frozen when needed.

What if my tomatoes are very juicy?

Salt the slices and let them rest to draw out moisture, then pat dry before breading.

Conclusion

Air fryer fried green tomatoes give you the beloved Southern flavor and crunch, but in a lighter, less greasy way. With simple ingredients, flexible seasoning options, and quick cooking, they’re a perfect snack or side. Serve them hot with a creamy dip, and you’ll enjoy that crisp bite without the oil mess. Want me to turn this into a full recipe card with precise measurements?

Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

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Crispy, tangy, and golden brown, these air fryer fried green tomatoes capture all the classic Southern flavors with a lighter, oil-free twist. Perfectly seasoned and breaded, they deliver crunch and flavor without the mess of deep frying.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 20–25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: Southern
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 3 medium firm green tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (or 1 egg + 2 tbsp buttermilk)
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or panko
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Cooking spray or oil mist

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Instructions

1. Wash and dry the green tomatoes, then slice them into 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick rounds. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Let rest briefly to draw out moisture, then pat dry.
2. Set up three bowls: one with seasoned flour, one with beaten eggs (or egg + buttermilk), and one with a mixture of cornmeal, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne.
3. Dredge each tomato slice in flour, dip in egg mixture, then press into the breadcrumb-cornmeal blend to coat evenly.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
5. Lightly spray both sides of the breaded tomato slices with cooking oil.
6. Arrange slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 5–6 minutes, flip carefully, spray again, and cook another 5–6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove and let rest briefly on a rack or paper towel. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as remoulade, ranch, or spicy mayo.

Notes

• Use firm, unripe green tomatoes for best texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket — cook in batches if needed.
• Letting slices rest after salting helps reduce excess moisture and improves crisping.
• Mix grated Parmesan into the coating for a cheesy twist.
• To make gluten-free, use gluten-free flour, cornmeal, and breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 3–4 slices)
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 70mg