Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
These Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes will save you time, effort, and calories. This classic southern recipe will have you making this summer side dish or appetizer twice a week!
Everyone loves the traditional fried green tomatoes recipe, but we do not always love the mess. Luckily, you can skip the splattering oil now and make this summer staple in the air fryer. You can achieve the perfect golden-brown crust coating that tart tomato flavor in less time with less fuss! This recipe makes 10 servings, but don’t worry about waste — These freeze wonderfully making it even easier to enjoy these again later!
What’s so great about air fryer green tomatoes?
- Quick & Clean – With this method you can avoid the cost of frying oil, worrying about the temperature of it, having to dispose of it, cleaning the splatters off your oven/counter/cabinets/everywhere, etc. It’s much more convenient than frying in oil!
- Healthier – Using the air fryer is healthier than frying in oil because oil contains a lot of calories and fat! Even though the food soaks up only a percentage of that, that can definitely impact your dietary goals.
- Freezer Friendly – This is a great side dish to meal prep because you can prep plenty for the freezer! Freezing after breading will allow you to cook these fresh any time, even when your garden is no longer producing.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need. Find exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.
- Green tomatoes – I’m talking 100% super green, nice and firm. You don’t want any spots turning red or becoming soft. That bit of moisture will turn the recipe into a soggy mess, so I mean it… 100% green.
- Flour – I used gluten-free Bisquick, but all-purpose flour works, too.
- Cornmeal – This gritty coating is used in both the first and third layer of the crispy breading. I do not recommend any substitution.
- Breadcrumbs – I used C4 Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs.
- Eggs – This is the binder and second layer in the crispy breading.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes in the Air Fryer
All you need for this summer side dish is a few mixing bowls, some plates or a baking sheet, and an air fryer. Here’s a step-by-step guide!
Add first coating and chill
In a bowl, mix the seasonings with your flour and cornmeal, then set that aside for now. Cut the tough ends off and slice your tomatoes into nice, thick 1/4-inch rounds. Dip each tomato slice into the seasoned mixture, then lay them in a single layer on a large baking sheet or a few plates. Freeze for 30 minutes to set.
Finish breading
While the coated tomatoes are chilling, whisk eggs in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix together your breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and flour with a fork. Once the tomatoes have been in the freezer for 30 minutes, remove. Use one hand to dip each slice into the egg wash, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure both sides are well coated, lightly pressing breadcrumbs onto the tomatoes until a nice breading forms. Place these back onto the baking sheet or plates.
Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees for about 3 minutes, then place in the breaded tomatoes. Lightly spray them with oil (to help browning for a crispy texture). Cook for 4 minutes, flip, spritz with oil again, and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes.
What to serve with fried green tomatoes
This southern delicacy is amazing with a variety of dishes; if it’s widely available in the South during the summer, it probably will taste great beside some fried green tomatoes. For a light lunch, enjoy with a spread of pimento cheese, a bowl of sweet corn salad, and some peach vanilla tea. Don’t warm up the kitchen for dinner — Instead serve these with Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens or juicy ribs from the slow cooker.
More recipes to pair with air fryer fried green tomatoes
- Shrimp and Grits
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork
- Easy Buffalo Roasted Chicken
- The Best Corn Chowder Recipe
Storage and Reheating
Place leftovers in an airtight container, preferably lined with paper towels (this soaks up moisture to keep the breading crispy). These fried green tomatoes should last up to 3 days in the fridge or freezer for 3 months. To reheat, place in a preheated air fryer (350 degrees F) for 3-4 minutes or until it reaches your preferred texture.
Tips, Tricks, and Suggestions
- Don’t skip the chilling time. Allowing the cornmeal-flour coating to chill in the freezer half an hour helps it stick to the tomato, then provides a solid layer for the breadcrumbs to latch onto.
- Make a double batch. These freeze really well, so make as many as can fit in your freezer for a quick and easy side dish another night!
- Spray them well. The spritz of oil helps the breading get a nice golden brown, giving you the perfect crunchy texture.
More summer side dishes:
- Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan
- Green Chile Corn Fritters
- Tomato and Avocado Salad
- Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Bites
- The Best Cucumber Salad Ever
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 5 green tomatoes
- Spray oil
Bowl #1
- 1/3 cup gluten free flour, I used GF Bisquick
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Bowl #2
- 2 eggs, beaten
Bowl #3
- 1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs, I love C4 GF breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup gluten free flour, I used GF Bisquick
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes in fairly thick slices
- Mix the flour, cornmeal and spices listed for bowl #1, and dip each tomato slice in it. Make sure each is completely coated on both sides.
- Lay the slices on a large baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Crack eggs into a shallow bowl (bowl #2) and blend with a fork.
- In bowl #3, combine the breadcrumbs, flour and cornmeal.
- Dip each tomato slice in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to completely coat the tomato and lay back on the baking sheet in a single layer.MEAL PREP NOTE: At this point, you can freeze the tomatoes in a single layer overnight, then place in a large ziplock bag if you're prepping for later.
- Heat an air fryer to 390 degrees for 3 minutes. Place the breaded tomatoes in the air fryer and lightly spray with cooking oil. Fry for 4 minutes, flip and spritz the other side with cooking oil, fry an additional 3-4 minutes.
