Description
Southern charm meets culinary delight in classic Fried Green Tomatoes, a crispy Southern staple that brings rustic comfort to your plate. Perfectly seasoned cornmeal coating and tangy green tomatoes create a mouthwatering appetizer you’ll crave time and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomatoes:
- 4 green tomatoes
- 1 large tomato
Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
Seasonings and Cooking:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp buttermilk
Instructions
- Slice green tomatoes into uniform 1/4-inch thick rounds, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Create a three-stage breading station: Mix flour with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in one shallow dish; whisk eggs and buttermilk together in another; combine cornmeal and breadcrumbs in the third dish.
- Pat tomato slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps coating adhere better.
- Dredge each tomato slice first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with cornmeal-breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 375°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for crispy results.
- Carefully place breaded tomato slices into hot oil, avoiding overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning.
- Fry tomatoes for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, turning only once to preserve coating.
- Remove fried tomatoes with a slotted spatula, allowing excess oil to drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve immediately while hot and crisp, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a side of remoulade sauce.
Notes
- Slice tomatoes with precision to ensure uniform thickness, guaranteeing even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Create a strategic breading station by organizing three separate dishes for flour, egg mixture, and cornmeal-breadcrumb coating to streamline the preparation process.
- Thoroughly pat tomato slices dry to remove moisture, which helps the breading adhere perfectly and prevents soggy results.
- Maintain oil temperature around 375°F for optimal frying, preventing oil absorption and achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
- Use a wire rack instead of paper towels for draining to keep the coating crisp and prevent sogginess from trapped steam.
- Experiment with gluten-free alternatives by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour and using gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg