Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
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Air fryer fried green tomatoes are a tasty twist on a Southern classic. They’re crispy, juicy, and so easy to make. You can enjoy this yummy snack in just 23 minutes from start to finish. The air fryer gives them a golden, crunchy coating without using lots of oil.
To make these, you’ll slice green tomatoes and coat them in a mix of flour, eggs, buttermilk, cornmeal, and spices. Then pop them in the air fryer for 8 minutes. The result? Crispy tomatoes that are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Exact Ingredients List
This recipe for air fryer fried green tomatoes uses simple ingredients you can easily find. The tomatoes form the base, while the breading gives a crispy coating.
Tomatoes
For the tomatoes, you’ll need:
- 4 medium green, unripe tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Choose firm, unripe tomatoes for the best results. The salt helps draw out extra moisture, making the breading stick better.
Breading
The breading ingredients create a crispy, flavorful coating:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Mix the dry ingredients well. The cornmeal and panko give extra crunch. The spices add flavor. Use the olive oil spray to help the coating brown nicely in the air fryer.
Instructions
Start by slicing your green tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Pat them dry and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit while you prep the breading station.
Set up three shallow bowls:
- Flour
- Beaten eggs mixed with buttermilk
- Cornmeal, panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Pat the tomato slices dry again.
Dip each slice in flour, then egg mixture, then cornmeal mix. Make sure they’re well-coated.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place tomatoes in a single layer and spritz their tops.
Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook 4 more minutes. They should be golden and crispy.
Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Keep finished tomatoes warm in a low oven.
Serve your crispy air fryer fried green tomatoes with tartar sauce or remoulade. Enjoy your healthier twist on this Southern classic!
Possible Substitutes List
Want to try some tasty swaps for your air fryer fried green tomatoes? Here are some yummy options to mix things up:
• Vegetables: Try zucchini slices, eggplant rounds, or thick-cut onion rings instead of green tomatoes.
• Flours: Swap all-purpose flour for almond flour or coconut flour for a gluten-free version.
• Breadcrumbs: Use crushed pork rinds or almond meal in place of panko for a low-carb coating.
• Spices: Mix up the flavors by adding cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, or ranch seasoning to your breading.
• Milk: Replace buttermilk with regular milk, almond milk, or coconut milk if needed.
• Eggs: For an egg-free version, try using aquafaba (chickpea liquid) or a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water).
You can also play with different dipping sauces. Try ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or honey mustard to complement your crispy tomatoes. Remember to adjust cooking times if you use different vegetables, as they may need more or less time in the air fryer.
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make these air fryer fried green tomatoes more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple swaps. First, replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour. This change lowers the carb count and adds healthy fats.
Next, swap out the panko breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds. This keeps the crunch but cuts carbs. You can also use less cornmeal and add more crushed pork rinds to further reduce carbs.
For the egg wash, skip the buttermilk. Just use beaten eggs mixed with a splash of water. This cuts down on sugar without losing the sticky coating that helps the breading stick.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the swaps:
- All-purpose flour → Almond flour
- Panko breadcrumbs → Crushed pork rinds
- Buttermilk → Water
These changes make the recipe lower in carbs and more blood sugar-friendly. You still get to enjoy the crispy, savory goodness of fried green tomatoes!
Remember to watch your portion size. Stick to 1-2 slices per serving to keep carbs in check. Pair your tomatoes with a protein-rich main dish for a balanced meal.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Use firm, unripe green tomatoes for the best results. They hold their shape better and have a tangy flavor.
Don’t skip patting the tomatoes dry. This step helps the breading stick and creates a crispier coating.
For extra crunch, try double breading. Dip the tomatoes in flour, egg, and breading mixture twice before air frying.
Spray the breaded tomatoes with oil just before cooking. This helps them brown and crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
To reheat leftovers, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. They’ll crisp right up!
You can store leftover fried green tomatoes in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep them in an airtight container lined with paper towels.
For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your breading mixture.
Try serving your fried green tomatoes with a side of ranch dressing or spicy aioli for dipping.
Experiment with different herbs and spices in the breading. Dried basil or oregano can add nice flavor.
If you have extra green tomatoes, slice and bread them, then freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag for later use.