Southern Fried Green Tomatoes {Oven or Air Fryer}

Why This is the Best Recipe

I think this is the best fried green tomatoes recipe because:

1. Flavorful Batter: My cornmeal batter is seasoned with a few extra spices to give the tomatoes a boost. But, I promise it isn't too spicy.
2. Easy Ingredients: You only need a few pantry items and fresh tomatoes to make this dish.
3. Make Ahead Friendly: Don't miss my tips on how to make these ahead of time for easy serving at a party.
4. Golden Brown and Crispy: You'll get the perfect crispy coating and the tomatoes will be warmed right through to the center with my special method for cooking.

Homemade fried green tomatoes come together easily with a short list of easy ingredients:

• Green Tomatoes: You can find green tomatoes at most farmer's markets and grocery stores here in the south. They are essentially an under ripe tomato. But if you have trouble finding them, a green heirloom tomato or even a ripe red tomato would be a simple variation.
• Flour
• Cornmeal
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Seasoned Salt
• Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper: I promise this won't make it spicy, it just adds a burst of flavor to the tomatoes.
• Olive Oil: You could substitute your favorite vegetable oil but I love the flavor the olive oil adds.

Picking the Best Green Tomatoes

When you're shopping for your green tomatoes, you want to look for ones that are:

1. Uniform in Size: Try to get same-size tomatoes so your slices are roughly around the same shape.
2. Firm: Very gently squeeze the tomato. There should be a slight give but it shouldn't be too soft.
3. Heavy: A heavy tomato means it will be have nice meaty slices.

Sprinkle just a pinch of kosher salt over the top. This will help draw out some of the juices from the seeds.

Let the tomatoes drain on the paper towels while you prepare the assembly line.

Seasoning Mix

Add some flavorful seasonings to the dry cornmeal mixture so your green tomatoes will be super delicious.

Add the flour and cornmeal to a shallow dish. I used a shallow pasta plate but a pie plate or cake pan would work, too.

Add the seasoned salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the mix and whisk it together.

Prep the Assembly Line

To make the process of frying the green tomatoes extra easy, I always set up a simple assembly line at my stove:

1. Add the baking sheet of tomatoes on the far edge.
2. Next to it, place the buttermilk and egg mixture
3. Next place the bowl of seasoned flour and cornmeal.
4. Place a large skillet on the stovetop. Add ¼ cup olive oil.
5. Place an air fryer basket or baking sheet lined with a wire rack on the other side of the skillet.

Here's what my assembly line looks like, the items are in reverse order since my stove is on the left of my counter:

Fry the Tomatoes

Heat the skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, you're ready to coat and cook the tomatoes.

First, dip a tomato slice into the buttermilk and egg mixture. Let the excess drip off into the bowl.

Then dip the tomato into the cornmeal flour mixture. Turn to coat both sides. Shake the excess off back into the bowl.

Lay the tomato slice into the hot oil in the skillet. Let it cook while you prepare another slice or two of tomatoes.

Keep adding the tomatoes to the pan but do not overcrowd it. There should be space between each tomato like this:

Saute the green tomatoes for 2 minutes on each side.

The batter should become golden brown and crispy

Transfer the sautéed tomatoes to the prepared air fryer basket or baking sheet with rack.

The fried green tomatoes are almost done, but I have found that the centers don't get quite as cooked as I want them to be when done just in the skillet.

Oven Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the tomatoes for 5 minutes to warm them all the way through.

Air Fryer Instructions

If you have an air fryer, you can bake the tomatoes on HIGH for 3 - 4 minutes or until they are heated all the way through.

My oven actually has an air fryer feature, so I prepared the tomatoes and placed them into an air fryer basket made for use in the oven just like this one.

This is such a handy kitchen tool, you may want one even if you don't have an air fryer feature on your oven! It lets air flow move around each tomato slice keeping them nice and crispy.

Serve the fried green tomatoes warm with a sprinkle of salt over the top and a dip, sauce, or pimento cheese dollop.

You could also serve southern fried green tomatoes:

• Southern Fried Green Tomato Sandwich: Add 2 tomatoes to a toasted brioche bun with shredded lettuce and remoulade sauce
• Southern Fried Green Tomato Salad: Pile up mixed greens. Add 2 tomato slices and homemade cornbread croutons. Drizzle buttermilk herb dressing over the top.
• Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Appetizer: Place the fried tomatoes on a pretty platter with one or two of these dips and sauces:

Sauces for Fried Green Tomatoes

The perfect complement to the tangy green tomatoes and seasoned cornmeal batter has just a touch of creaminess and zesty flavor.

Traditionally, a spicy remoulade sauce is served with fried green tomatoes but I love how a homemade pimento cheese melts over the top.

My spicy sauce for sandwiches would be tasty on top of the tomatoes or used in a fried green tomato sandwich.

Pair my sour cream horseradish sauce with layers of roast beef for a delicious roast beef po'boy sandwich with fried green tomatoes.