Description
Southern comfort meets fresh garden flavor in Fried Red Tomatoes, a crispy Southern classic that brings pure delight to your dinner table. Sliced ripe tomatoes get a golden, crunchy coating that makes your taste buds dance with pure Southern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 red tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable oil
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Slice 4 large red tomatoes into precise ¼-inch thick rounds, ensuring each slice looks uniform and consistent.
- Create first breading station by mixing 1 cup flour with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper in a shallow dish.
- Prepare second station by whisking 2 eggs and ½ cup buttermilk together in a separate bowl.
- Develop third breading station by combining 1 cup cornmeal with ¼ tsp cayenne pepper in another shallow dish.
- Take each tomato slice and thoroughly coat both sides in seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Carefully dunk floured tomato slice into egg mixture, letting surplus liquid drip back into bowl.
- Roll wet tomato slice in cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to guarantee complete coverage.
- Pour 2 cups vegetable oil into large skillet and heat to exactly 375°F, monitoring temperature carefully.
- Gently lower breaded tomato slices into hot oil, placing only 3-4 slices per batch to prevent overcrowding.
- Fry each batch for precisely 2-3 minutes per side until surface turns deep golden brown and exterior becomes supremely crispy.
- Extract fried tomatoes using slotted spatula, transferring them onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Optional: Sprinkle additional salt across hot tomato slices for enhanced flavor profile.
- Allow tomatoes to rest and slightly cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to help maintain crisp texture.
Notes
- Use firm, slightly under-ripe tomatoes for the best texture and slicing consistency.
- Season each layer of coating generously for maximum flavor depth in every bite.
- Rest breaded tomato slices for 5 minutes before frying to help breading adhere better.
- Control oil temperature carefully to ensure crisp exterior without burning the coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg