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Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Appetizer

Fried Green Tomatoes with Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

Published: Jul 20, 2021 · Modified: Oct 4, 2022 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

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Two photos split by recipe title text; top of raw green tomatoes in batter, bottom of crispy golden tomatoes on plate.
Sliced crispy golden medallions with sauce and recipe title on text for Pinterest.
White plate filled with golden crispy green tomatoes with recipe title text on image.
Six golden Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with logo on right corner.
White plate with six golden Fried Green Tomatoes with dipping sauce and recipe title text on image for Pinterest.

If you love Southern Fried Green Tomatoes you’ll love this easy recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes with a semi-homemade Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce. I share both deep fried and Air Fryer instructions.

Golden Fried Green Tomatoes stacked on a plate with sauce.

I tried my first Fried Green Tomatoes well over a decade ago. I really didn’t eat any Southern food until I was in college. That’s when I learned all about shrimp and grits, pimento cheese dip, and buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy to name a few.

Way back when, my husband’s now business partner, brought us a 10 gallon bucket full of Ruskin Tomatoes. I found 1 green tomato in the batch. I knew instantly I wanted to try my hand at making Fried Green Tomatoes. Every good green tomato needs a delicious dipping sauce. My go-to is a semi-homemade Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce. After my first attempt I was hooked! I have been making this Southern fried green tomatoes recipe since then.

Table of contents

  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes
    • How to Fry Green Tomatoes
  • Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce
  • FAQs
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Southern Recipes

Ingredients

Ingredients: ranch, egg, green tomatoes, garlic powder, milk, cajun seasoning, and flour.
  • Oil – I like to use a high-smoke point oil like vegetable or canola oil.
  • Green Tomatoes – The greenest tomatoes are the only type of tomatoes you can use.
  • Seasonings – I use a blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
  • Egg – 1 egg for the wash is all you should need.
  • Milk – A little milk mixed in with the egg/

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes

Preheat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (deep fryer or skillet with oil)

Sliced green tomatoes on the left and salted green tomatoes on the right.

Season tomatoes, on both sides, with salt and pepper. Let them sit aside for at least 5 minutes while the water starts to come out of them.

Two photos of metal tins with egg wash and flour mixture.

While tomatoes rest. Place flour, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, beat the egg with the milk.

Hand blotting sliced green tomatoes with a paper towel.

Pat the tomatoes dry.

Close up of floured green tomatoes in flour and egg wash tins.

Dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the egg wash, and then back in the flour mixture.

How to Fry Green Tomatoes

Two photos of a frying pan filled with oil and breaded tomtaoes.

Add only a few pieces to the fryer at a time, so they can cook evenly, about 3 to 5 minutes (depending on your deep fryer).

Paper towels on plate with Fried Green Tomatoes.

Drain on paper towels.

Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

Top view of coated tomataoes on a wire rack and right photo of a hand holding avocado oil spray.

To air fry the fried green tomatoes follow steps 1-4. Preheat Air Fryer. at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray basket or wire racks with avocado spray. Place the flour/egg dredged sliced tomatoes in a single layer. Spray with avocado oil.

Two photos of Fried Green Tomatoes on wire racks cooked.

Bake for 3 minutes, then flip, spray with avocado oil, and bake an additional 3 minutes. (I tested this recipe using a PowerXL Vortex Air-Fryer Pro using the wire racks. For golden brown results only cook on top rack).

Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

Three photos; left of a glass bowl with spices and ranch. Two right photos of mixed ranch sauce.

In a bowl, mix together the ranch dressing and cajun seasoning. Set to the side until ready to enjoy with fried green tomatoes.

FAQs

6 Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with a dipping sauce.

Here are all the frequently asked questions readers have asked when making this recipe for fried green tomatoes.

Why are my fried green tomatoes soggy?

The oil is not hot enough if your fried green tomatoes are soggy. Always check to make sure your oil is hot prior to placing the tomatoes into the pan. If the oil is too hot, the outside will brown too quickly and your tomatoes won’t be cooked all the way through. Make sure to keep the oil level shallow. I have found it’s better then fulling submerging the green tomato slices in oil.

Can I use pink tomatoes for fried green tomatoes?

No, a green tomato that has the slightest bit of pink will not work. They contain too much moisture and will also be too mushy.

How do you check frying oil is hot enough?

To check if your frying oil is hot enough, sprinkle a little dash of the flour mixture into the oil. If it instantly begins to boil, the oil is hot.

Tips & Tricks

Close up of golden Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with ranch dipping sauce.

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve learned when making the best fried green tomatoes.

  • Green Tomatoes – You must use green tomatoes. A green tomato that has the slightest bit of pink will not work. They contain too much moisture and will also be too mushy.
  • Oil – Make sure you use a high smoke point oil when frying. I like to use
  • Slicing – Green tomatoes are hard which makes them perfect for using in a mandolin slicer.
  • Cooking times – Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the green tomato.
  • Reheat – If you happen to have a few slices of fried green tomatoes leftover. You can easily reheat them in the toaster oven at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes until warm and golden but not browned.

Southern Recipes

Six golden Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with siced green tomatoes on the counter.

If you love southern food you’ll love these other southern recipes.

  • Creamy Cheesy Corn Grits
  • Homemade White Gravy
  • Southern Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches
  • Cajun Shrimp and Sausage
  • Southern Green Beans
  • Cajun Breakfast Skillet
  • Southern Breakfast Potatoes

If you make this southern fried green tomatoes recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list!

6 Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with a dipping sauce.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

If you love Southern Fried Green Tomatoes you'll love this easy recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes with a semi-homemade Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce. I share both deep fried and Air Fryer instructions.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Cajun
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 201kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • Deep fryer

Ingredients

  • Oil for deep fryer
  • 2 Green tomatoes cut into ¼-inch rings
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

  • ¼ cup Ranch Dressing
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (deep fryer or skillet with oil)
  • Season tomatoes, on both sides, with salt and pepper. Let them sit aside for at least 5 minutes while the water starts to come out of them.
  • While tomatoes rest. Place flour, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, beat the egg with the milk.
  • Pat the tomatoes dry and then dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the egg wash, and then back in the flour mixture.
  • Add only a few pieces to the fryer at a time, so they can cook evenly, about 3 to 5 minutes (depending on your deep fryer). Drain on paper towels.

Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

  • In a bowl, mix together the ranch dressing and cajun seasoning. Set to the side until ready to enjoy with fried green tomatoes.

Notes

  • Air Fryer – To air fry the fried green tomatoes follow steps 1-4. Preheat Air Fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray basket or wire racks with non-stick cooking spray. Place the flour/egg dredged sliced tomatoes in a single layer. Spray with avocado oil. Bake for 3 minutes, then flip, spray with avocado oil, and bake an additional 3 minutes. (I tested this recipe using a Power Air-Fryer Pro using the wire racks. For golden brown results only cook on top rack).
    • Avocado Oil – I like to use a spray bottle of avocado oil since it has a higher smoke point and will not burn.
  • Slicing – Green tomatoes are hard which makes them perfect for using in a mandolin slicer.
  • Cooking times – Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the green tomato.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3961IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!
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Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!

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About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 10 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shut Up & Cook

    July 09, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    These look sinfully delicious! I also happen to have loads of tomatoes going this season, and with Seattle’s weather at least some aren’t likely to ripen, so I’ll be giving these a whirl!

    Reply
    • Katie

      July 10, 2012 at 9:16 am

      Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments! Yes, the fried green tomatoes are amazing!!!

  2. Culinary Adventures in the Kitchen

    July 27, 2011 at 2:15 am

    Oh man….these look and sound sublime! Can't wait to try them out. :0)

    Reply
  3. brettb734

    July 25, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    I have never had fried green tomatoes, but I so want to try this recipe. Nice job!

    Reply
  4. Sinful Sundays

    July 25, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I love Fried Green Tomatoes and milky dipping sauces. Yum!

    Reply
  5. Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups

    July 25, 2011 at 10:48 am

    I am a fan of fried green tomatoes but I don't see it on too many menus in Central Florida. This looks like a great recipe!

    Reply

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I'm Katie Jasiewicz: home cook, food blogger, and recipe developer. A busy mom of two children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don’t take hours to cook! My mission is to create easy-to-make modern comfort food for the busy family. (more)

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