Fried Green Tomatoes: A Farm Fresh Twist You Have to Try!
Here at BLeaves Farms, this year’s weather in Arizona has been…unusual, to say the least. Winter never really got cold, and we’ve had just a touch more rain than usual. The result? Our tomatoes are thriving, but not really turning red. Instead, we’ve been blessed with gorgeous, perfectly plump green tomatoes, abundant and vibrant.
There’s always that thrill (and a little panic) of knowing they could be gone overnight if a frost hits. Sure, we can protect them. But sometimes, it’s more fun to use them up. That thought led us straight to one of our favorite comfort foods: fried green tomatoes.
Think of them like those amazing fried green pickle appetizers, but heartier, healthier, and main-dish-worthy. We went through a little experimentation in the kitchen to get them just right.
From Oil to Air Fryer: The Healthy Upgrade
Our first attempt was the classic way: fried in oil. Delicious, but let’s be honest. Turning these fresh, garden-picked gems into something deep-fried felt like a missed opportunity to honor their natural goodness.
Enter the air fryer. After just one batch in our Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer, we were hooked. Crispy, golden, flavorful and without drowning in oil. This little appliance has become a kitchen staple here at the farm. It’s easy, efficient, and consistently produces perfect results. (Seriously, if you don’t have one yet, you need to check it out: Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer.)
Farm-Fresh Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
Here’s exactly how we made them. Easy, tasty, and adaptable to your own kitchen!
Ingredients:
- 6 medium green tomatoes, sliced about ½-inch thick
- 2 farm-fresh eggs
- Fresh dill from the garden, chopped
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (we used herb Parmesan for extra flavor)
- ½ cup cornmeal
- Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
- Cooking spray
- Shredded Parmesan for topping
- Jalapeno ranch for dipping
- Fresh green onions from the garden, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- On a plate, mix the flour, Panko, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Sprinkle the tomato slices with salt and dill, dip each tomato slice in the egg, then dredge in the flour-Panko-cornmeal mixture, making sure each slice is fully coated.
- Place the tomatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Cook for 20 minutes on the “air fry” setting.
- Sprinkle shredded Parmesan on top and cook for 3 more minutes until golden and melty.
- Serve hot with jalapeno ranch and a sprinkle of chopped fresh green onion.
Tip: Have fun experimenting! Swap herbs, add spices, or try different cheeses. The air fryer makes it easy to get creative without extra oil.
Why We Love the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer is a game-changer. It’s big enough for family-sized batches, heats quickly, and cooks everything evenly. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It’s perfect for anyone who wants fried flavor without the guilt (or mess) of traditional frying. Honestly, we use ours for everything from vegetables to main courses to desserts. It’s that versatile!
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Need Fresh Ingredients?
If you want tomatoes, dill, green onions, or more, just text us at 480-256-2306 and we’ll set some aside for you. Nothing beats cooking with farm-fresh ingredients straight from the garden!
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