Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes

Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes

These Stuffed Tomatoes are made with a delightful combination of different cheeses, herbs, and seasonings. They're easily prepared in the air fryer and perfect for a delicious vegetarian side dish or light lunch.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy air fryer recipes, healthy side dishes, stuffed tomato recipe, stuffed tomatoes

Servings:

Ingredients

4 medium firm tomatoes , 2 & 1/2 to 3 inches wide
salt and pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese , divided
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil , plus more for garnish
2 cloves garlic , finely minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
olive oil , for drizzling
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley , for garnish

Instructions

Slice off the top of each tomato and using a spoon, scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick sides and bottoms, being careful not to puncture the walls of the tomato.
Separate the seeds from the tomato flesh and transfer the flesh to a cutting board - discard the seeds and the tomato liquid.
Season the insides of the tomatoes with just a bit of salt and pepper, then invert the tomatoes onto paper towels and allow to drain while you make the filling.
Chop the reserved tomato flesh and transfer to a medium mixing bowl along with the mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, basil, garlic, and seasonings. Mix well to combine.
Fill the hollowed out tomatoes with equal amounts of the stuffing - be generous with the filling, it will shrink quite a bit as it cooks. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
Preheat the air fryer to 370 for a few minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, then arrange the tomatoes with space in between.
Air fry until the tomatoes are tender, filling is heated through, and the topping is golden, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove from the air fryer and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Use different breadcrumbs. I prefer the light crispness of Panko, but Italian-style or even gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used.

Swap the breadcrumbs. Instead of breadcrumbs, replace them with an equal amount cooked rice or quinoa.

Add some protein. Precooked ground Italian sausage, beef, or turkey are hearty and flavorful additions that transform the tomatoes into a light meal. They should be split evenly with the breadcrumbs or a grain.

Try different cheeses. Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack, or PepperJack (for a bit of heat) are all delicious cheese options.

Cook them in the oven. Preheat oven to 400°F with the rack in the center. Place the tomatoes in an oven-safe casserole dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are tender and the skin just begins to crack, the filling is warmed through, and the topping is golden. Finish them under the broiler for about 2 minutes, if desired.

Cook them on a grill. Grilled stuffed tomatoes are also delicious with a nice smoky flavor - those should be cooked in a cast-iron pan and will typically take about 15 to 20 minutes if the grill is heated to 400F.

Nutrition