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

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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 (Oven Fried!) | A Spicy Perspective (1)

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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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

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Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe (Oven-Fried!)

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes minutes

Oven-Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe – Make ultra-crispy, tangy fried green tomatoes with less oil and less mess by baking in the oven! Our healthier oven baked fried green tomatoes recipe can even easily be made gluten free.

Servings: 15 slices

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the oil on the baking sheet and spread it around with a spoon or brush.

  • Slice the tomatoes into ¼ inch rounds. Set aside.

  • Set out 3 bowls. Pour the flour in one bowl, and the panko in the seconds bowl. In the third bowl combine the buttermilk, Cajun seasoning, salt, and cumin. Mix well.

  • One at a time, dip the slices of tomato in the flour. Shake off the excess flour and dip the tomato slice in the buttermilk. Shake off the excess buttermilk over the bowl, then dip the slice in breadcrumbs.

  • Lay each slice on the baking sheet, then flip it so it is coated in oil on both sides. Repeat with the remaining green tomato slices.

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

  • Serve warm with a side of Caesar dressing for dipping.

Video

Notes

Notice in the photos, green tomatoes do not need to be fully green. They just need to be partially green and extra firm, so they have a sharp tangy flavor.

You can easily swap the flour and panko breadcrumbs for Gluten-Free flour and breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pc, Calories: 64kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 212mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 151IU, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American, Southern

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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

FAQs

What town in Georgia was Fried Green Tomatoes filmed? ›

Set as the iconic café in the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, the Whistle Stop Café got its humble start in the little town of Juliette, Georgia. When filming was done, the restaurant remained open and still serves classic southern dishes and of course, Fried Green Tomatoes, everyday! Give us a call or stop by!

Is Fried Green Tomatoes a true story? ›

The "Whistle Stop Cafe" is loosely based on the Irondale Cafe in Irondale, Alabama, a suburb near Flagg's birthplace. The cafe was bought by Flagg's aunt, Bess Fortenberry, in 1932 and run for four decades by her and two friends. It is still operating and, like the fictional cafe, is known for its fried green tomatoes.

What is so special about fried green tomatoes? ›

It turns out that green tomatoes hold up well to the process of being sliced, dredged and fried, and the slightly sour flavor pairs well with a crunchy, salty coating. The best tomatoes to use are firm and green throughout, with optimum slices of one-third to one-half inches wide.

Are fried green tomatoes a Southern thing? ›

Fried green tomatoes are usually associated with the South, but if you were to look in Southern newspapers or cookbooks before the 1970s, you wouldn't find mention of them anywhere. This dish was brought to the US in the 19th century by Jewish immigrants and later appeared in Northeastern and Midwestern cookbooks.

What happened to Ruth's son Buddy in Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Buddy unfortunately died in a train accident. His younger sister the tomboy Idgie Threadgoode was badly affected by the untimely death of her brother. Having a hard time dealing with her grief she distanced herself from her family and largely withdrew from society.

Where was the waterfall in Fried Green Tomatoes filmed? ›

Idge and Ruth opening the cafe scene in Fried Green Tomatoes

As they walk, they laugh and enjoy each other's company, fully immersed in the beauty of their surroundings. Juliette Dam is a historic structure on the Ocmulgee River in Juliette, Georgia.

Was the old lady in Fried Green Tomatoes really Idgie? ›

Yes and No. Depends on how you view the story in the movie. In the book it is clear that Ninny and Idgie are two different people. The movie hints that Ninny and Idgie could be the same person but leaves room for doubt.

Was Idgie alive at the end of Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Otis told Ninny. Moreover, the book's final chapter reveals that Idgie is still very much alive after Ninny herself has died. The sequel, which covers up to 2019, discusses the deaths of both characters, and makes it even clearer that they are not the same person.

Did they cook Ruth's husband in Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

In Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Frank Bennett meets a grisly end. After being killed by Sipsey, he's cooked on a barbecue by Big George and inadvertently eaten by detectives investigating his disappearance. This ironic twist of fate ensures that the evidence of his demise is never discovered.

What is the message of Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Both major storylines in Fried Green Tomatoes center on relationships between women: the developing friendship between Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode in a 1980s nursing home, and the Depression-era partnership between the co-owners of the Whistle Stop Cafe, Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison.

Who did Idgie marry in Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Also Ninny wears a wedding ring and told the story about having a mentally defective baby that she kept even though doctors told her to institutionalize him. She cared for him for 30 years. In the movie, Idgie did not marry, nor have any children.

Do they eat a person in Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Near the end of the film, it's implied that in order to hide the body of the man who was killed in self defence, Idgie cooked the body and served him at a BBQ. If you look online, this is taken as a fact, and the film even shows up on lists with 'surprise cannabilism' scenes.

Are fried green tomatoes actually tomatillos? ›

Green tomatoes are commonly used to make dishes like Fried Green Tomatoes. Green tomatoes and tomatillos are different in ripeness and usages as well, so it's not always okay to substitute one for the other. Tomatillos also tend to be juicier and not as firm as green tomatoes, so they are quite different in texture.

Is there a part two to Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop is the sequel to Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. It is a delightful novel that jumps back and forth in different time periods between the 1930s and present day, and tells us the further adventures of Buddy Threadgoode Jr. and others.

Who invented fried green tomatoes? ›

Based on his research, Moss concluded fried green tomatoes are not a Southern dish, but originated in the Midwest and northeast, possibly linked to the cuisine of Jewish immigrants. A recipe appears in the 1889 addition of “Aunt Babette's Cook Book” and “The International Jewish Cookbook” from 1919.

Where is the house in Fried Green Tomatoes located? ›

About an hour's drive west of Juliette lies Senoia, Ga., a quaint small town that is a frequent location choice of moviemakers. It is home to two settings that were pivotal to the movie's plot: The Threadgoode house and the iconic railroad bridge.

Was Fried Green Tomatoes filmed in Valdosta GA? ›

It took a movie that was not filmed here to make Valdosta a vital part of its plot. Valdosta is mentioned several times in “Fried Green Tomatoes,” though the city does not particularly earn a pleasant reputation from this free publicity. In “Fried Green Tomatoes,” Ruth's physically abusive husband is from Valdosta.

Where was Fried Green Tomatoes supposed to take place? ›

Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 American drama movie directed by Jon Avnet. It is set in 1920s and 1980s Birmingham, Alabama and is based on a novel by Fannie Flagg called Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The movie stars Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson.

What restaurant was in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes? ›

Social. Fans of the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" will want to stop in at the real Whistle Stop Cafe and visit the surrounding area. Relax on our front porch and enjoy Juliette! Come try our delicious southern recipes.

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