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.
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
- 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)
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.
Dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the egg wash, and then back in the flour mixture.
How to Fry Green Tomatoes
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.
Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
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.
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
In a bowl, mix together the ranch dressing and cajun seasoning. Set to the side until ready to enjoy with fried green tomatoes.
FAQs
Here are all the frequently asked questions readers have asked when making this recipe for fried green tomatoes.
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.
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.
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
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
If you love southern food you’ll love these other southern recipes.
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!
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Fried Green Tomatoes with Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce
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
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Shut Up & Cook
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!
Katie
Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments! Yes, the fried green tomatoes are amazing!!!
Culinary Adventures in the Kitchen
Oh man….these look and sound sublime! Can't wait to try them out. :0)
brettb734
I have never had fried green tomatoes, but I so want to try this recipe. Nice job!
Sinful Sundays
I love Fried Green Tomatoes and milky dipping sauces. Yum!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups
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!