Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe (Oven Fried!) | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

Oven-Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe – Enjoy ultra-crispy, tangy fried green tomatoes with less oil and less mess by baking in the oven… No frying required! Our healthier oven baked fried green tomatoes recipe is also easy to make gluten-free.

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

When summer arrives I’ve only got one thing on my mind… Crunchy on the outside, soft and tangy on the inside, fried green tomatoes dunked in creamy dressing.

There’s just something magical about sitting outside on a warm evening with a big, cold glass of sweet tea or lemonade, and biting into a perfectly crunchy fried green tomato. Even with a hearty crust the tomato inside stays fresh and vibrant, and simply melts in your mouth.

Do you have green tomatoes coming up in your garden this year? Bring a taste of the south to your kitchen by making Fried Green Tomatoes in the Oven and skip the excess fat, calories, and mess of this traditionally fried dish!

The Best Baked “Fried” Green Tomatoes

Hands-down baking is the best method for easily making extra crunchy Fried Green Tomatoes. It creates way less of a mess, protects you from hot oil splatter, and significantly reduces the fat.

You can also use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make a gluten-free version of these oven fried green tomatoes!

This recipe requires just about 10 minutes of prep, and “fried” green tomatoes are ready to enjoy hot out of the oven in less than 30 minutes.

Easy, quick, healthy, crispy, juicy, and flavorful: These baked Fried Green Tomatoes seriously are the BEST!

Ingredients You Need

This is one of those beautiful dishes that stays simple and focused on just a few key ingredients.

The crust should be substantial but light, with seasonings that highlight (and don’t overpower) the fresh green tomato flavor.

Here is what you need to make the Best Oven Fried Green Tomatoes:

• Unripe green tomatoes – like plum or heirloom tomatoes
• Panko bread crumbs – or gluten free panko
• Buttermilk
• All-purpose flour – or your favorite gluten free flour
• Cajun seasoning – AKA creole seasoning
• Salt
• Ground cumin
• Cooking oil – vegetable oil or olive oil (or cooking spray)
• Caesar or Ranch dressing – for dipping

Cook’s Notes: Notice in the photos, green tomatoes do not need to be fully green. They should just be at least partially green and extra firm, so they have a sharp, tangy flavor.

Also, no egg mixture or cornmeal is required for this oven recipe. However, you can swap the breadcrumbs with coarse cornmeal if you like!

If you can’t find Cajun seasoning, combine a simple mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes (in the Oven)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and set out a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the oil on the baking sheet and spread it around with a spoon or brush. Prep the tomatoes by slicing them into ¼ inch rounds.

2. Set out 3 shallow bowls: Pour the flour in one bowl, and the panko in the second bowl. In the third bowl combine the buttermilk, Cajun seasoning, salt, and cumin, and mix well.

3. One at a time, dredge the slices of tomato in the flour. Shake off the excess flour and dip the tomato slice in the buttermilk. Then, shake off the excess buttermilk over the bowl. Lastly, dip the slice in Panko breadcrumbs.

Gently press the tomato into the breadcrumbs to get a nice, thick coating.

4. Lay each coated tomato slice on the baking sheet, then flip it so it is coated in oil on both sides. Repeat with the remaining green tomato slices. (You can also use good-quality cooking spray instead of oil.)

5. Bake for 12 minutes. Use a small spatula to flip the tomato slices over. Then bake again for 12 minutes, until perfectly golden brown.

Get the Complete (Printable) Oven Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Serve warm with a side of dipping sauce like remoulade sauce, comeback sauce, Caesar dressing, or ranch dressing for dipping.

Our healthier oven-baked Fried Green Tomatoes are perfect for enjoying as an appetizer, over cheesy grits, or even on top of a bed of fresh greens for a hearty summer salad that’s full of great textures and southern flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Keep and Reheat Fried Green Tomatoes?

These Fried Green Tomatoes baked in the oven are great for making in a large batch and saving leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months.

For storing, place them in an airtight container in a single layer, not stacked on top of each other, to prevent the tomatoes from getting soggy.

To reheat I recommend baking in a 350 degree F oven on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil for several minutes to get nice and crispy again.

How Can I Make Gluten-Free Fried Green Tomatoes?

You can easily swap the all-purpose flour and Panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.

What if I Don’t Have Buttermilk?

A simple buttermilk substitute is to combine regular milk with either a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, and let stand at room temperature for at least 5 minutes before using.

Where can I buy green tomatoes?

You can sometimes find green tomatoes at your local grocery store, especially during the summer. If you can’t find them and don’t have your own summer garden, then you can also try searching for green tomatoes at the farmer’s market!

What else can you do with fried green tomatoes?

On top of serving them as-is for appetizers, you can pile them on grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, salads, or use them as a base for stacked snacks with charcuterie and cheese!

Looking for More Classic Southern Recipes for Summer?

• Southern Shrimp and Grits
• Oven Baked “Fried” Pickles with Garlic Sauce
• Jalapeno Hushpuppies Recipe
• Grandma’s Best Ambrosia Salad
• Southern Tomato Pie Recipe