Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
Air fryer fried green tomatoes are a tangy, crispy Southern appetizer that’s quick and easy to make. With green tomatoes, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, this recipe delivers classic flavor in just 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, these tomatoes stay golden and crunchy, deal for serving a crowd or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
- 4 large green tomatoes firm, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Coconut oil spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
Prep the Coatings
- Remove the small core and slice the bottom skin off the ends of the green tomatoes. Slice tomatoes into ½-inch rounds. Pat them dry with a paper towel.4 large green tomatoes
- In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.2 large eggs, ¼ cup milk
- In a second bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper.1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- In a third bowl, combine cornmeal, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.½ cup cornmeal, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Bread the Tomatoes
- Dredge each tomato slice in the flour mixture.
- Dip into the egg mixture.
- Coat with the cornmeal and breadcrumb mixture.
Air Fry
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place coated tomato slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
- Spray tops with coconut oil.Coconut oil spray
- Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook another 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
Tips for Success
- Use firm green tomatoes to prevent sogginess.
- Don’t skip the coconut oil spray! It helps the coating crisp up.
- Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
Notes
Important Prep Tips Before Starting the Recipe
- Let your tomatoes sit out on the counter for a bit before slicing. Starting with room temperature tomatoes helps them cook evenly all the way through.
- Take a moment to set up your breading station with three bowls. Lining them up assembly-line style saves a ton of cleanup and keeps things moving.
- Grab your sharpest knife for clean, even tomato slices. I find a serrated knife works well if your tomatoes are extra firm.
- Preheat your air fryer so it’s nice and hot when the tomatoes go in.
- Don’t skip the oil spray! It might seem like a small thing, but a quick spritz on both sides is what gives you that golden crunch without deep frying.
- Avoid piling too many tomato slices in the air fryer at once. I always cook in batches, then keep the finished ones warm in a low oven if I’m making a big batch for guests.
