Don't you just LOVE a good fried green tomato? I know I do, but I only ordered them at restaurants because they are just too messy and oily to make at home... until NOW!
The Ninja Foodi makes making Fried Green Tomatoes a breeze! I could hardly believe how they turned out the first time I made them. I literally could not tell that they weren't deep fried. WOW!
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Fried Green Tomatoes are one of those foods that I never make at home (until now, that is). Not only is it sometimes hard to find green tomatoes at the store, they are so dang messy with all that oil. But I LOVE them!
So, when I saw two really perfect green tomatoes on the vine in my garden, I plucked them off and set out to make some fried green tomatoes in the Ninja Foodi.
What I didn't expect was for them to taste EXACTLY like a deep fried version! I decided to make a fried green tomato sandwich and devoured it!
WOW! I'm so glad I didn't let those tomatoes ripen and I can share this really easy recipe with you!
If you would rather watch me make these Fried Green Tomatoes here is the YouTube Video:
Fried Green Tomatoes in the Ninja Foodi
Tips for Making Fried Green Tomatoes in the Ninja Foodi
Cut even slices. It's important to cut the slices as evenly as possible so the tomato cooks evenly.
Don't skip the dehydration step! Getting some of the excess liquid out of the tomato slice really helps to keep your fried green tomato crunchy, so don't skip it. If you don't have the dehydration function then sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for 30-60 minutes and then blot the excess liquid off with a paper towel.
Shake the excess breading mixture off. You don't want to thick of coating of the breading mixture or it will not cook all the way and your fried green tomato can end up doughy instead of crispy.
Preheat on Broil. This is probably the most important step. You have to have a very hot basket and pot so the tomato starts to develop its crust right away.
No flipping before it's time. If you go to flip the tomato slice and you meet resistance, let it cook another minute. When the crust has fully formed, you will be able to flip with ease.
If you can see flour, you will taste flour. Use a good spritzer like this EVO Oil Sprayer or a basting brush to get the oil of your choice onto the tomatoes.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 green tomatoes
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½- 1 tsp your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Slice the green tomato into 2-3 even slices about ½" in width. Sprinkle the tops with a little salt. Lay the tomato slices in the crisping basket and set the dehydration function to 150° F for 15 minutes. See recipe notes if you do not have the dehydration function.
- Remove the tomatoes from the basket and blot dry with paper towels. Preheat the Ninja Foodi on Broil with the basket in the inner pot for 10 minutes.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Combine the buttermilk and red pepper flakes if using into a second shallow bowl.
- Dip each tomato slice into the buttermilk and then into the breading mixture. Coat lightly and shake off the excess. Set the slice on a plate and repeat with all the slices.
- Take each coated slice of tomato and dip again into the buttermilk followed by the breading mixture. Spritz the top of each tomato slice with oil of your choice.
- When the Ninja Foodi is preheated on broil for 10 minutes, spritz the basket with oil and place each slice of breaded tomato (oiled side down) in the basket in a single layer. Leave about ½" space between each tomato slice. Spritz the top of the tomato slices with oil.
- Turn the Air Crisp function on 390° and Air Crisp for 20 minutes. Flip at 10 minutes. I recommend checking on the tomato slices and remove when crispy and brown. Cool on a cooling rack.
- Serve & Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce
Dipping Sauce
- Combine mayo, white wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, & hot sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
- Nutritional values are estimates and do not include dipping sauce
Nutrition
ABOUT THE RECIPE AUTHOR, LOUISE LONG
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full time.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and getting the most out of the Ninja Foodi.
Ninja Foodi Fresh & Healthy Meals
Seeing the need for easy, delicious, and high quality recipes, she is focusing all of her efforts creating recipes specifically for the Ninja Foodi. Her recipes are easy for the home cook to follow and provide step-by-step instructions.
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can.
Winnie
Interesting - what do you do with the skin side that is not flat / cannot coat properly? Thanks!
Louise
I use it for something else or give it to my chickens, but you could try to peel the skin off.
Debbie Kreischer
I love seeing the double dip breading technique. Can't wait to try them! Completely unrelated: a stray rooster came into our yard and stayed overnight! He was a buff orpington- very gorgeous and friendly. We found him a new home, but he was quite the neighborhood attraction for a day and a half! I had never been close to any chickens before. So cool!
Louise
I hope you love the Fried Green Tomatoes! How cool about the rooster! We are hoping that our newest little chick is a rooster, only time will tell.
Irene
Hello!! Wow, I just made two batches of your fried green tomatoes and dipping sauce. My husband loves spicy so I added extra hot red pepper flakes. We had pan fried walleye with it. The recipe was perfect. Even for someone like me who is still learning how to cook. I’ve made several of your recipes and all have been wonderful. The fried green tomatoes could be a main dish for me, I loved them that much. I am a committed follower!! Hoping you are coming out with your very own cookbook soon!!
Louise
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes, it is one of my favorites! I appreciate your support!
Jo Taylor
After watching the video, I tried this recipe and it worked really well. At last, I can make fried green tomatoes!
Louise
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Amber Meyer
I was dying to make this recipe however I was having such a hard time finding green tomatoes anywhere. I called all of the local big chain grocery stores and the little markets around my house. Everyone said, "We have tomatillos." I was like, "Nope those won't work..." Then I got super lucky and found some green tomatoes at a little local market. I was really excited to give this a try. I sliced up the perfect size tomatoes (using my Mandolin slicer on the thickest setting) and air fried these to perfection. Then that delicious dipping sauce. I added a little smoked hot paprika and that really set it over the edge. Another perfect recipe from The Salted Pepper! Thank you Louise! 😀
Louise
Thank you so much and I'm so glad you found green tomatoes!
Linda
I also have trouble finding green tomatoes....I am now substituting them with eggplant...cook the same and just as yummy
Louise
That sounds good!