Oven Fried Green Tomatoes
I’ve been feeling all Southern lately, hence today’s recipe for oven “Fried” Green Tomatoes!
Yes, my Southern roots are showing.
There are a great many ways to eat a tomato, which goes beyond waiting until they sweetly ripen. Green tomatoes can be made into an array of recipe from sweet to savory, but most are familiar with the southern classic, fried green tomatoes. Today I’m sharing a healthier take on the traditional fried version and we’re going to bake them. They will take longer to bake compared to frying, but oh how yum and worth the wait.
Green tomatoes are on the tart side and will have that pucker up face when consumed uncooked, but cooked, they mellow into an almost sweet tanginess that is a delight to try. For so many reasons, I rarely make fried food. One, of course would be the health factor, by baking your are saving a ghastly amount of calories not necessary in a side dish or any dish for that matter. Also, I’m talking about that smell that it leaves in it’s wake … I mean really, I’m not a fan of the stale fried food smell that seems to permeate every square inch of the home for days. *Mini-rant over*
To enjoy these, you can serve them up with a nice bit of remoulade (make your own or store bought). I like to serve them straight up with hot sauce or on top of a hamburger along with some creamy pimiento cheese. Oh my goodness, it’s one amazing southern special burger!
Try them. Share them. Enjoy Y’all!
Oven Fried Green Tomatoes
A great healthy twist to the southern classic, Oven "Fried" Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Green Tomatoes, firm and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 2 cups plain Panko
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 cups Buttermilk
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- Cooking Spray, Vegetable or Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (it's best to place a cooling rack over the parchment paper, but not necessary). Spray with the cooking spray, set aside.
- Slice the Green Tomatoes into 1/4 inch slices and season lightly with Salt and Pepper.
- Set yourself up with an assembly. To prepare, you will need 3 shallow dishes/bowls. The first dish will be Flour seasoned with 2 tsp Salt and 1 tsp Pepper. Dish #2: Buttermilk. Dish #3: plain Panko bread crumbs.
- Dredge each slice in the Flour, followed by Buttermilk and finally a good dredge in Panko, making sure each slice is generously coated. Place slices on cooling rack, if using, or straight onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spray the tomatoes liberally with Cooking Spray to ensure proper browning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 - 40 minutes, carefully turning over half way through baking and continue to bake until golden and crispy.
- Serve immediately with or without your favorite dipping sauce or set aside and top off a massive Pimiento Cheese hamburger and enjoy!
Notes
You can spice up your Panko with finely diced green onions, spike it with crushed red chili flakes or use one of the offered seasoned Panko bread crumbs available. Remember to look for firm, un-ripened Green Tomatoes. Do not use the green variety tomatoes that are green when fully ripened.
Stacey is a Southern girl with a taste for travel, thriving on the discovery of the world through food. After spending many years traveling and living overseas, she’s now back home in her beloved deep south enjoying life with her three little ones and loving the adventure. She’s a food stylist and food photographer, as well as, the creative behind Little Figgy Food, where she loves to inspire others to try new flavors and foodie techniques.
