If you can’t wait for those tomatoes on the vine to finish ripening, then you need this air fryer fried green tomatoes recipe! Those tart, firm tomatoes are seasoned, breaded, and air fried to crispy golden brown perfection and served with a sweet heat hot honey ranch for a delicious Southern style appetizer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and golden with less oil: The air fryer gives you that irresistible crunch without the heavy greasiness of deep frying, letting the tart, fresh flavor of the tomatoes shine! Add my air fryer Hot Honey Wings to your app spread which pairs perfectly!
- A unique, tangy treat: Fried green tomatoes have a firm, slightly sour bite that turns deliciously savory once coated and crisped. They’re a true a Southern classic that’s both comforting and a little unexpected
- Quick and convenient: Air frying cuts down on mess and time, so you get all the classic flavor in a lighter, easier, faster way!
- Perfect as a snack, starter, or side: They’re incredibly versatile! Serve them with ranch, remoulade, or stacked on sandwiches for a pop of flavor and texture
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Ingredients Needed
- 2 medium green tomatoes (use 3 if they’re small)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Olive oil mist (or similar)
Homemade Hot Honey Ranch
- ¼ cup mayo
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (such as Mike’s)
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- Extra red pepper flakes or chili crisp (optional for adding more heat)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use standard Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko, but they tend to come out less crispy
- Feel free to add some hot sauce or other seasonings or spices, such as paprika or cayenne, as you like into your dredging!
- If you use fresh herbs for the dressing, double the amount and finely chop them
How to Choose the Right Green Tomatoes
When choosing green tomatoes for frying (or in this case, air frying), look for firm, unripe tomatoes that are bright green all over. They should feel solid and have very little give when you gently squeeze them.
Try to avoid tomatoes that are starting to turn yellow or red (though sometimes you’ll get a few), as they’ll be too soft and sweet for traditional fried green tomatoes. To be fair, unless you’re growing your own, sometimes you’re at the mercy of the grocery store, so just do your best.
Also, steer clear of any with blemishes or cracks. Firm, uniformly green tomatoes hold up best to slicing, breading, and cooking, giving you that signature tangy bite and crisp texture!
Step By Step Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients for the hot honey ranch and set aside. Skip this step if you plan to use a different condiment
- Slice your green tomatoes into approximately ½” thick slices. Pat them dry with a paper towel, then season with ½ tsp of the salt (or to taste). Dab them again as the salt draws the moisture out to make sure you start with a nice dry tomato when dredging
- Set up a 3 part dredging station (use shallow dishes like rimmed plates or shallow bowls). Place the flour in the first bowl, whisk the eggs with the buttermilk in the second bowl, and mix the cornmeal with the panko in the third. Season each with the remaining salt, plus the garlic powder and black pepper (just divide evenly)
- Dredge each slice of tomato by first coating in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and lastly toss in the breadcrumb mixture. Try to get a thorough, even coating at each step for best results
- Add the breaded tomato slices into your air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, with air space between each one. Spray the tops with a mist of olive oil spray until just coated (and the breadcrumbs are wet)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 5 minutes. Then, gently flip (I prefer a fork to tongs for this), apply oil again, and cook an additional 4-5 minutes, until browned to your liking
- Serve immediately, with hot honey ranch for dipping!
Pairing Suggestions
Toppings & Sauces
- Hot Honey Ranch Dressing – my included dipping sauce recipe is the perfect sweet hit to balance tangy green tomatoes!
- Remoulade – A creamy, tangy Southern classic that adds richness and a little spice
- Garlic Aioli – Smooth, garlicky, and perfect for dipping
- Pimento Cheese – Slather on top for a bold, creamy finish
- Fresh Herbs – Sprinkle chopped basil, dill, or chives for freshness
Food Pairings
- Shrimp and Grits – A Southern favorite pairing!
- Pulled Pork or BBQ Chicken – Smoky meat and tangy tomatoes are a perfect match. Try my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters!
- Fried Catfish or Blackened Fish – Classic combo with balance of crunch and spice. My Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets are a great choice!
- Grain Bowls or Salads – Use as a crispy topper on arugula, quinoa, or kale
- Burgers or Sandwiches – Add a slice instead of a tomato for extra flavor and texture – I especially enjoy them on a BLT sandwich!
Drinks
- Sweet Tea or Lemonade – Classic Southern refreshers. Alternatively, try my Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade for a boozy version!
- Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc – Bright, crisp wines to complement the tangy tomato
- IPA or Pale Ale – Bitterness balances the fried richness
- Bloody Mary – Tomato on tomato? Yes, please, with a kick!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Tomatoes in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook tomatoes in an air fryer, including green, cherry, or Roma varieties. For fried green tomatoes, the air fryer delivers a perfectly crisp coating with less oil than traditional frying, while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
How Ripe Should Tomatoes Be for Fried Green Tomatoes?
Choose firm, unripe green tomatoes just shy of ripening. They should be tart and dense, with little to no give when pressed. Overly ripe tomatoes are too soft and can fall apart during cooking.
How Can I Make Fried Green Tomatoes Without Cornmeal?
If you want to skip cornmeal, try using a mix of regular and panko bread crumbs for extra crunch or crushed crackers for a buttery coating. For a gluten-free version, almond flour or gluten-free panko are great substitutes that still crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
- It is normal that the breading won’t stick completely to the skin of the tomato, so expect some loss on the outside edge. The two sides of the tomato, however, should be fine – just make sure to dry them well and coat them evenly with every layer for best results!
- Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer. Overcrowding can result in soggy spots. I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe, so on subsequent batches I reduce cooking time by 1 minute per side since it’s a little warmer. Remember, each air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust slightly for your specific unit
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigeration: Store leftover fried green tomatoes in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Freezing: While possible, freezing is not ideal since it can affect the texture. If you do freeze them, place in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. You can reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer
Reheating Tips
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 4–6 minutes (flip halfway) until crisp and warmed through. This method gives the best texture
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes on a wire rack or parchment paper lined tray
- Avoid the microwave if possible, as it will make them soggy!
Final Thoughts
The air fryer is the perfect way to make delicious fried green tomatoes without all the need for the oil of deep frying (or the tending of pan frying). You’ll still get a crispy, golden crust around a juicy, tangy tomato.
Serve them up with my sweet heat homemade hot honey ranch for the perfect compliment, or try your own favorite sauces! These fried green tomatoes are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, especially if you’ve got any unripe tomatoes in your garden.
Katie’s tip
For more great ways to use up that summer produce after it ripens, check out all of my tasty Air Fryer Tomato Recipes for some unique and delicious ideas!
Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes With Hot Honey Ranch
Servings: 6
Make these tangy fried green tomatoes in your air fryer for a crispy, delicious appetizer! Pair with homemade sweet heat hot ranch for the perfect finish.
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for mixing)
- Serrated knife (or similar; for slicing tomatoes)
- 3 Containers for dredging station (such as plates or shallow bowls)
Ingredients
- 2 medium green tomatoes (use 3 if they're small)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Olive oil mist (or similar)
Hot Honey Ranch Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (such as Mike's hot honey)
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste; divided)
- Extra red pepper flakes or chili crisp (optional for added heat)
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients for the hot honey ranch and set aside¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup buttermilk, 2 Tbsp hot honey, ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried chives, ½ tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp minced garlic, ½ tsp salt, Extra red pepper flakes or chili crisp
- Slice your green tomatoes into approximately ½” thick slices. Pat them dry with a paper towel, then season with ½ tsp of the salt (or to taste). Dab them again as the salt draws the moisture out to make sure you start with a nice dry tomato when dredging2 medium green tomatoes, 1 tsp seasoned salt
- Set up a 3 part dredging station (use shallow dishes like rimmed plates or shallow bowls). Place the flour in the first bowl, whisk the eggs with the buttermilk in the second bowl, and mix the cornmeal with the panko in the third. Season each with the remaining salt, plus the garlic powder and black pepper (just divide evenly)½ cup buttermilk, 2 large eggs, ½ cup all purpose flour, 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp seasoned salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Dredge each slice of tomato by first coating in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and lastly press into the breadcrumb mixture. Try to get a thorough, even coating at each step for best results
- Add the breaded tomato slices into your air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, with air space between each one. Spray the tops with a mist of olive oil spray until just coated (and the breadcrumbs are wet)Olive oil mist
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 5 minutes. Then, gently flip (I prefer a fork to tongs for this), apply oil again, and cook an additional 4-5 minutes, until browned to your liking
- Serve immediately, with hot honey ranch for dipping!
Notes
- You can use standard Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko (or the cornmeal), but this makes the tomatoes come out less crispy overall
- Feel free to add some hot sauce or other seasonings or spices, such as paprika or cayenne, as you like into your dredging!
- If you use fresh herbs for the dressing, double the amount and finely chop them
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, and is based on full use of all breading and sauce ingredients (which won’t be the actual case) so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 177g | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7.9g | Fat: 86g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 249.8IU | Vitamin C: 15.1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
