Air Fryer Italian Stuffed Tomatoes with Cheese

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Sometimes when I’m tired of stuffed peppers, I like to change things up. These air fryer stuffed tomatoes are the perfect alternative. They’re packed with gooey cheese, Italian seasonings, and anything else you want, for a side or a meal on their own.

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air fryer italian stuffed tomatoes with cheese dinners done quick

Why We Love This Recipe

A stuffed tomato is just a juicy vessel for the delicious fillings inside. Similar to stuffed peppers, you have a ton of variety in terms of what you can stuff in a tomato.

Choose rice, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and various seasonings to create your perfect combination. You won’t need to add any tomato sauce, though, as it’s in the shell naturally!

three stuffed tomatoes with cheese lined up on a wooden serving tray

I sometimes use up leftover rice from making air fryer arancini, which is another Italian favorite around here.

Ingredients to Grab

air fryer italian stuffed tomatoes ingredients
  • 4-6 medium slicing tomatoes
  • ¾ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (divided)
  • ½ pound sweet Italian sausage
  • 2 tsp salt (or more as needed) (divided)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • ¼ cup soft herb and garlic cheese at room temperature (such as Boursin)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ Tbsp olive oil

Substitutions and Variations

  • Tomatoes. You can use on the lower end if you have really large beefsteak tomatoes, or 8 smaller tomatoes if you like. With some patience, small Campari-sized tomatoes can be used as a poppable appetizer!
  • Panko can be swapped in for normal breadcrumbs (or gluten free breadcrumbs work fine as well)
  • You can use ground beef in place of the sausage or omit the meat entirely. If you omit meat, you’ll need to add 1 Tbsp or so of olive oil to the stuffing to replace missing fat
  • In place of Boursin, you can swap in ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream
  • For a rice variation, add in about ½ cup of cooked Arborio rice, leftover risotto or even orzo pasta. You can omit the breadcrumbs inside if you do this
  • To make a vegetable variation, add 6 oz of cooked spinach to your stuffing blend

How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes

  1. Using a serrated knife, cut the tops off each tomato, approximately ½” from the top
using a serrated knife cut the tops off each tomato
  1. Carefully remove the filling from the tomato without damaging the walls of the tomato. Pro tip: Cut a circle around the inside wall of the tomato using a sharp knife. Then, score the center crosswise. Pull the large pieces out with your fingers, then use a cutlery teaspoon to clean up the sides
carefully scoop out the tomato filling without damaging the walls
  1. Sprinkle the insides of the tomato cavity with 1 tsp salt (or more as needed depending on size of tomatoes), then turn them upside down on a paper towel lined plate to drain
sprinkle salt inside the tomatoes, turn them over, and let them dry
  1. While tomatoes drain, heat a skillet on the stove over medium high heat
  2. Add the sausage and cook until well browned. Do not drain
  3. To the browned sausage, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute more
cook italian sausage and garlic until browned and fragrant
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine sausage and garlic, Italian seasoning, diced onion, fresh basil, ½ cup of the breadcrumbs, pepper, remaining 1 tsp salt, parmesan, Boursin, and mozzarella cheese. Make sure to smash in the Boursin and distribute well. The mixture should be damp (but not wet). Add a small amount of olive oil if needed to add more moisture
in a mixing bowl combine breadcrumbs, pepper, salt, parmesan, boursin, and mozzarella cheese
  1. Take the remaining ¼ cup of breadcrumbs and combine it with the olive oil in another small bowl, tossing to coat evenly
take remaining breadcrumbs and combine with olive oil
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 360°F depending on your air fryer’s available settings)
  2. Fill your tomatoes with the stuffing mixture, making sure to pack it down slightly and mound it on top. Pro tip: I use my hands, and it takes 3 handfuls to stuff a medium tomato (of course this will vary based on both hand and tomato size)
fill tomatoes with stuffing mixture and pack it down
  1. Top the tomatoes with the reserved oiled breadcrumbs. Press down slightly to stick breadcrumbs to the tomato
top the stuffing filled tomatoes with the remaining breadcrumbs
  1. Place the filled tomatoes in the preheated air fryer basket
add stuffed tomatoes with cheese to air fryer basket
  1. Cook tomatoes on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, until tops are golden brown and filling is heated through
  2. Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving
garnish air fried italian stuffed tomatoes with basil before serving

What to Serve With Stuffed Tomatoes

  • Shrimp
  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • Rice or risotto
  • Couscous
  • Pasta
  • Tortellini
  • Eggplant parmesan
  • Green salad
  • Soups
  • Garlic bread
  • Falafel
  • Quiche

Try this easy mini quiche with crust, heat up frozen air fryer garlic knots, or get a jump start with Trader Joe’s frozen falafel in the air fryer.  

Recipe FAQs

Can Stuffed Tomatoes Be Frozen?

It is not recommended to freeze whole stuffed tomatoes. The filling may be prepared, frozen, and defrosted when ready to use.

Freezing tomatoes themselves tends to alter their texture and you’ll get an unpleasant, mealy consistency from them.

How Do You Cut Tomatoes For Stuffing?

To cut tomatoes for stuffing, use a serrated knife to cut off the entire top of the tomato, about ½” from the top. Use a smaller paring knife to separate the veins from the sides of the tomato. Then, use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and seeds.

It’s important to take your time and do this carefully. If you damage the outside edge of the tomato, it won’t hold up well during stuffing and cooking.

What Tomatoes Are Best For Stuffing?

The best tomatoes for stuffing are large, wide tomatoes. Some ideal varieties are beefsteak, heirloom, globe, or larger vine-ripened tomatoes.

You can use smaller varieties if that’s all that’s available. However, they require more work to scoop them all, and offer a slightly different tomato to filling ratio.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Since they’re stuffed, there’s no need to flip during cooking for this recipe
  • I recommend tongs or a spatula to help you remove the hot tomatoes from the air fryer
  • If you like, you can add the tomato “guts” you pulled out back into your filling for additional flavor and/or moisture.  Discard the seeds, though
  • It is normal for the tomato skins to peel during cooking. They can be consumed, or peeled off easily before presentation if desired
four italian stuffed tomatoes on a bed of basil with fresh garlic in the background

More Stuffed Air Fryer Recipes 

  • Stuffed Banana Peppers
  • Air Fryer Stuffed Clams
  • Stuffed Artichokes

Final Thoughts

These tasty air fryer stuffed tomatoes are bursting with cheese and Italian flavor. They’re a perfect side dish, light bite, or make a meal if you fill or pair them with some heartier options. I love that they’re flexible between vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions as well.

If you want to try out some other tomato recipes in your air fryer, I suggest this creamy air fryer roasted tomato soup for a spoonful of comfort.

air fryer italian stuffed tomatoes with cheese dinners done quick featured image

Air Fryer Italian Stuffed Tomatoes with Cheese Recipe

These stuffed tomatoes feature Italian seasoning and cheese, and are cooked easily in your air fryer. It’s a great alternative to turning on the oven for an equally delicious result.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4
Calories 569 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 Medium slicing tomatoes
  • ¾ Cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (divided)
  • ½ Pound sweet Italian sausage (or spicy)
  • 2 Tsp Salt (or more as needed) divided
  • ½ Tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 Tsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (plus more for garnish if desired)
  • ¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ Cup soft herb and garlic cheese, at room temperature (such as Boursin)
  • ½ Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ Tbsp olive oil (or more as needed)

Instructions
 

  • Using a serrated knife, cut the tops off each tomato, approximately ½” from the top
    4-6 Medium slicing tomatoes
  • Carefully remove the filling from the tomato without damaging the walls of the tomato. First, cut a circle around the inside wall of the tomato using a sharp knife. Then, score the center crosswise. Pull the large pieces out with your fingers, then use a cutlery teaspoon to clean up the sides
  • Sprinkle the insides of the tomato cavity with 1 tsp salt (or more as needed depending on size of tomatoes), then turn them upside down on a paper towel lined plate to drain
    2 Tsp Salt (or more as needed)
  • While tomatoes drain, heat a skillet on the stove over medium high heat
  • Add the sausage and cook until well browned. Do not drain
    ½ Pound sweet Italian sausage
  • To the browned sausage, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute more
    1 Tsp minced garlic
  • In a mixing bowl, combine sausage and garlic, Italian seasoning, diced onion, fresh basil, ½ cup of the breadcrumbs, pepper, remaining 1 tsp salt, parmesan, Boursin, and mozzarella cheese. Make sure to smash in the Boursin and distribute well. The mixture should be damp (but not wet). Add a small amount of additional olive oil if needed to add more moisture
    ¾ Cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp Italian seasoning, 1 Tbsp dried minced onion, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, ¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ Cup soft herb and garlic cheese, at room temperature, ½ Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Take the remaining ¼ cup of breadcrumbs and combine it with the olive oil in another small bowl, tossing to coat evenly
    ½ Tbsp olive oil
  • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 360°F depending on your air fryer’s available settings)
  • Fill your tomatoes with the stuffing mixture, making sure to pack it down slightly and mound it on top. I use my hands, and it takes 3 handfuls to stuff a medium tomato (of course this will vary based on both hand and tomato size)
  • Top the tomatoes with the reserved oiled breadcrumbs. Press down slightly to stick breadcrumbs to the tomato
  • Place the filled tomatoes in the preheated air fryer basket
  • Cook tomatoes on the air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, until tops are golden brown, filling is heated through, and cheese is melted
  • Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving (optional)

Notes

  • You can use less if you have really large beefsteak tomatoes, or 8 smaller tomatoes if you like. With some patience, small Campari-sized tomatoes can be used as a poppable appetizer!
  • Panko can be swapped in for normal breadcrumbs (or gluten free breadcrumbs work fine as well)
  • You can use ground beef in place of the sausage or omit the meat entirely. If you omit meat, you’ll need to add 1 Tbsp or so of olive oil to the stuffing to replace missing fat
  • In place of Boursin, you can swap in ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream
  • For a rice variation, add in about ½ cup of cooked Arborio rice, leftover risotto or even orzo pasta. You can omit the breadcrumbs inside if you do this
  • To make a vegetable variation, add 6 ounces of cooked spinach to your stuffing blend
  • Since they’re stuffed, there’s no need to flip during cooking for this recipe
  • I recommend tongs or a spatula to help you remove the hot tomatoes from the air fryer
  • If you like, you can add the tomato pulp you pulled out back into your filling for additional flavor and/or moisture. Discard the seeds, though
  • It is normal for the tomato skins to peel during cooking. They can be consumed, or peeled off easily before presentation if desired
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any substitutions, and exact quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 430gCalories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 29.3gProtein: 39.7gFat: 34.5gSaturated Fat: 17.5gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 2857mgPotassium: 840mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 6.7gCalcium: 280mgIron: 4mg
Keyword air fryer stuffed tomatoes, air fryer tomato recipes, air fryer tomatoes, air fryer tomatoes with cheese, italian stuffed tomatoes, stuffed tomatoes, stuffed tomatoes recipe, tomatoes
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air fryer italian stuffed tomatoes with cheese dinners done quick pinterest
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Katie Vine
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