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Traditional Fried Green Tomatoes

Tomatoes

This is the tried-and-true traditional Southern fried green tomato recipe. Nothing fancy here, just really, really good fried green tomatoes. Also, check out this included Come Back Sauce recipe for dipping or drizzling.

  • Servings | 4
  • Prep Time | 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time | 15 Minutes
  • Author | Mark

Want a great idea for those green tomatoes you have? Fried Green Tomatoes is an awesome use for those delicious green guys on your counter. We've included two options for frying them, a traditional method of pan frying and a healthier option of air frying. In either case, you are eating about 70% pure tomato, followed by cornmeal and bread crumbs, and if you choose a healthy oil, you have the added benefit of that. You may include your favorite dipping or drizzling sauce to accompany these wonderful fried green tomatoes. If you don't have a good sauce recipe, this Come Back Sauce recipe is a good one.

In trying to keep on the healthy side of things, when choosing your ingredients, we recommend organic and non-GMO flour, bread crumbs, and cornmeal. This can aid in your digestion and overall health. And, of course, choose only the best aquaponically grown, clean, and freshly picked green tomatoes.

Let's talk oils. If you are air frying, you can go with no oil as we have many times, or you can lightly spray or baste your breaded tomatoes with a healthy oil like olive, coconut, or avocado. These oils add to your body's health by lowering bad cholesterol, raising your good cholesterol, and even adding antioxidants.

If pan frying, our oil of choice is avocado oil as it has a high smoke point. It is an awesome healthy oil and has a mind-nutralizing, tasty flavor.

Ingredients

  • 4 Large Green Tomatoes
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ Cup Cornmeal
  • ½ Cup Bread Crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Quart of Frying Oil - Optional
  • A Can of Coconut Oil Spray - Optional

Directions

Prepping

  1. Gather all ingredients
  2. If pan frying, add 1 quart of frying oil to the skillet and heat to 375 degrees F.
  3. Slice tomatoes ½” thick
  4. Whisk eggs and milk together in a medium-sized bowl. Scoop flour onto a plate. Mix cornmeal, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper on another plate. Dip tomatoes into flour to coat. Then dip tomatoes into milk and egg mixture; dredge in breadcrumbs to completely coat.

Air Fryer Option

  1. Preheat air fryer set at 375 degrees F.
  2. Place breaded tomatoes on an air fryer tray, leaving at least ½” between slices, then lightly spray coconut oil on both sides of the breaded tomatoes.
  3. Place the tray with tomatoes into the air fryer and cook until they are golden brown. Allow time to cool for a couple of minutes on a cooling rack, then serve warm.

Pan Frying Option

  1. Once the oil is at temperature, place breaded tomatoes in hot oil, filling the skillet; however, don’t crowd them so that they touch.
  2. Flip as needed to ensure both sides are golden brown.
  3. Once golden brown, using tongs, remove tomatoes from hot oil and place them on a cooling rack over paper towel on a cookie sheet for them to drain and cool. Serve warm.

Recipe Note

Try this Come Back Sauce recipe as a dipping sauce or drizzle for a very tasty dish.