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Crispy, crunchy, and super delicious, these Air Fryer Green Tomatoes will be a huge hit! Perfect as a fast appetizer or a side dish, these healthy(ish) fried green tomatoes are sure to become a family favorite.
These fried green tomatoes are a healthier take on the deep-fried classic. Using just a little olive oil, the air fryer gives this dish a crispy breading with perfectly cooked tomatoes on the inside.
So hit up the garden or farmer’s market, grab some unripe tomatoes, and let’s make something amazing!
No air fryer? Check out the recipe notes for baking instructions. Let’s do this!
Just like my Fried Artichoke Hearts, Air Fryer Okra, and Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, this recipe takes delicious veggies and turns them into a healthier app or game-day snack.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe uses:
- Green tomatoes – full size/fully developed but not ripe
- Breading squad: all-purpose flour, panko, and cornmeal
- Seasonings: Tony Chachere’s (get the low-sodium!)
- Egg and olive oil (I used my Misto) – see notes about egg alternatives
Save any extra cornmeal to make a batch of this Air Fryer Cornbread – YUM!
How to Make Air Fryer Green Tomatoes
*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.
Choose beefsteak green tomatoes that are full-sized and developed, but not yet ripe. Wash and pat dry.
Remove the stem and cut tomatoes horizontally into slices that are about 1/3 inches thick. Pro tip: use a serrated/bread knife or a cheese knife for slicing. The teeth of the knife cut through the tomatoes easily and make consistent slices without smashing the tomatoes.
Now, let’s set up a breading station. You’ll want three bowls, and a plate or baking sheet.
- Bowl one: all-purpose flour
- Bowl two: cornmeal, panko, and Tony’s seasoning
- Bowl three: egg and a bit of water mixed together
Here’s how to bread the green tomatoes. It’s best to work in batches of two. With your left hand, dredge 2 tomatoes through the flour and shake the excess off.
Still using your left hand, drop them into the egg mixture, stirring to coat.
Use your right hand and drop them into the cornmeal bowl and toss to coat. Place your breaded tomatoes onto a plate. Repeat until all the tomatoes have been breaded.
Once you’ve finished breading all of them, spray the tops of the tomatoes with olive oil spray (I used my Misto) while they’re still on the plate. Really coat them and then let them sit for 2-3 minutes.
Brush oil in the basket of the air fryer or use air fryer parchment, and gently place the breaded tomatoes in the basket. Place as many tomatoes as you can fit without them touching. You do want some air flow to be able to move around the tomatoes.
Cook for 6 minutes at 390˚F degrees. Flip the tomatoes. I find this part is easiest to do with a fork and not tongs. Spray the tomatoes with additional olive oil spray if they need it.
Cook for an additional 2 minutes and then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to make this recipe gluten-free
Feel free to swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour, or almond flour. They also make gluten-free panko, but if you’re unable to find that, use more cornmeal or even crushed up potato chips.
Cornmeal is naturally gluten-free so you will not need to sub that out.
How to make this recipe plant-based
In place of the egg used to bind the breading, you can use your favorite plant-based mayo. It will hold the breading in-place and give you an incredible flavor.
What dips to use for green tomatoes
Make a batch of these air fried green tomatoes, and then start dipping to your heart’s content.
Some awesome dip options are Chipotle Sauce, Homemade Tartar Sauce, Yogurt Ranch Dressing, Sugar-Free Barbeque Sauce, or Vegan Aioli.
The dip shown in these photos is Sweet Potato Fries Dipping Sauce with some Tony’s mixed in for a kick.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
Storing Leftovers: Allow any air fried green tomatoes to fully cool before storing them in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Reheating Leftovers: You can reheat the tomatoes for 3 minutes in the air fryer at 360˚F.
Freezing Leftovers: Freeze uncooked breaded green tomatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2-3 hours and then transfer to freezer-safe storage.
To cook from frozen, follow the air fryer instructions in the printable recipe card below, but add 1-2 minutes of total cooking time.
PRO TIPS/RECIPE NOTES
- If you are unable to find Tony’s seasoning, you can sub in Old Bay, or even make your own seafood seasoning.
- After spraying the olive oil on the breading, allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the panko to soak up the oil, creating the crunchiest coating ever.
- If you use sodium-free seasoning, salt the breading to taste if desired.
- To get the most consistent slices, use a serrated bread knife. Aim for slices ~ 1/3 inch thick.
- You can use buttermilk in place of the egg. Related: Can You Freeze Buttermilk
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 3 green tomatoes {medium-large beefsteaks}
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp water
- 1/4 cup panko
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1.5 tsp Tony's Chachere's {or other "Creole" seasoning}
- 1 tbsp olive oil {plus more for the air fryer basket}
Instructions
- Slice tomatoes about 1/3 inch thick.3 green tomatoes
- In one bowl add flour, in another combine cornmeal, panko, and Tony's. In a third bowl combine beaten egg and water. Set up an empty plate.1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 egg, 2 tsp water, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1.5 tsp Tony's Chachere's, 1/4 cup panko
- It's easiest to work in batches of 2. With your left hand, dredge 2 tomatoes through the flour and shake the excess off.
- With your left hand, drop them into the egg mixture, stirring to coat.
- Use your right hand and drop them into the cornmeal bowl and toss to coat. Place your breaded tomatoes onto a plate. Repeat until all tomatoes are breaded.
- Once you've finished breading all of them, spray the tops of the tomatoes with olive oil spray while they're still on the plate. Really coat them and then let them sit for 2-3 minutes.1 tbsp olive oil
- Brush the basket of the air fryer with olive oil and gently place the breaded tomatoes in the basket. Don't overcrowd the basket.
- Cook for 6 minutes at 390˚ degrees. Flip with a fork. Spray the now exposed side of the tomatoes with additional olive oil spray if they need it.
- Cook for an additional 2 minutes and then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- If you use sodium-free seasoning, salt the breading mixture to taste if desired.
- If you are unable to find Tony’s seasoning, you can sub in Old Bay, or make your own seafood seasoning.
- After spraying the olive oil on the breading, allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the panko to soak up the oil, creating the crunchiest coating ever.
- To get the most consistent slices, use a serrated bread knife. Aim for slices ~ 1/3 inch thick.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was our first experience eating green tomatoes, and we were instant fans. The combination of the crunchy coating with the tang and firm texture of the tomatoes produced a scrumptious dish that we’ll be making often, as we had a bumper crop of green tomatoes this fall! Thank you, Sarah, for another great post.