Description
Crispy and golden Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes made with a flavorful cornmeal and seasoned flour coating. These tangy green tomatoes are dipped in a buttermilk egg wash, breaded, and air fried to perfection for a healthier twist on a classic Southern favorite. Ready in just 25 minutes and perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
Main Ingredient
- 2-3 medium green tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
Other
- Cooking spray or oil for spraying (to prevent sticking in the air fryer)
Instructions
- Preparation: Wash the green tomatoes thoroughly and slice them into about 1/4-inch thick slices. Set aside to prepare for breading.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In one bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until smooth and fully combined.
- Prepare Cornmeal: Place the cornmeal in a third bowl, ready for the final breading step.
- Breading Process: Dip each tomato slice first into the flour mixture, making sure both sides are coated thoroughly.
- Egg Wash: Next, dip each floured slice into the egg and buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip off to avoid sogginess.
- Cornmeal Coating: Press the tomato slice into the cornmeal, ensuring full coverage on both sides for a crispy crust. Repeat for all slices.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Arrange Tomatoes: Place the breaded tomato slices in a single layer in the basket, avoiding overlap for proper crisping.
- Cooking: Lightly spray the tops of the tomato slices with cooking spray, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even golden crispiness on both sides.
- Serving: Once cooked, carefully remove the fried green tomatoes from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can double coat the tomato slices by repeating the flour, egg wash, and cornmeal steps one more time.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a quick buttermilk alternative.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Green tomatoes are tart, so adjust seasoning to taste if desired for more or less spice.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or remoulade for added flavor.
