The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
If you are looking for a delicious and easy vegetarian side dish or appetizer, you should try these air fryer stuffed tomatoes.
In this recipe, the tomatoes are stuffed with cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, and seasonings, but it’s so easy to change the filling to suit your personal preference!
Different than air fryer roasted tomatoes and air fried cherry tomatoes, these stuffed tomatoes offer more substance because of their filling. Serve them with a little bit of fresh basil for a pop of color and freshness!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make stuffed tomatoes in the air fryer:
- Tomatoes – Use ripe but firm tomatoes that are large enough to stuff easily.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic for extra flavor.
- Cheddar cheese – For the filling; you can substitute with another cheese such as Swiss or Gouda.
- Mozzarella cheese – For the filling; grated Parmesan cheese also works well.
- Olive oil – A little bit for the filling and some for the air fryer.
- Salt – To enhance the overall flavor of the tomatoes; adjust to taste.
- Dried herbs – Such as Italian-style seasoning or dried herbs of your choice (e.g. oregano or thyme).
- Granulated garlic – Optional; adds additional garlic flavor for garlic lovers.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Add a bit of crunch and texture to the filling. You can also use regular breadcrumbs. Adjust amount to taste.
- Fresh basil – Optional for serving; adds freshness and a pop of color.
Recipe Tips
Before you make this stuffed tomato recipe, have a read through these recipe tips so that you get the best tomatoes in the end:
- You can change the filling to your preference. For example, you could add cooked rice, cooked ground meat, or chopped nuts.
- You can use different tomatoes, but they should be large enough so they are easy to fill. Heirloom tomatoes can add a nice pop of color.
- Make sure to use ripe, but firm tomatoes because overripe tomatoes will not hold their shape well and may get too mushy in the air fryer.
- Depending on the size of the tomatoes, you may need slightly more or less filling.
- Adjust the exact cooking time depending on your preference. If you want the tomatoes to be firmer, decrease the cooking time. For softer tomatoes, increase the cooking time.
Step by Step Instructions
In this section, you can see exactly how to make air fryer stuffed tomatoes. You can follow the recipe process photos below if you like visuals.
Or if you just want the printable written instructions, head to the bottom of the post for the detailed recipe!
First, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the grated cheddar, grated mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, granulated garlic (optional), dried herbs, salt, and a little bit of the oil.
Next, cut off the top of each tomato and remove the seeds and pulp. Be careful not to cut holes in the skin or the filling will leak out during air frying.
Now stuff each tomato to the top with cheese filling. The exact amount of filling can vary depending on the size of the tomatoes.
Grease the air fryer basket with the rest of the oil, then place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket with space between them.
Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until the tomatoes are tender.
After 10 minutes, you can add a little more cheese mixture on top of the tomatoes if there is any left and cook for another two minutes.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the tomatoes, your air fryer, and personal preference.
Let the tomatoes sit for a few minutes since they will be very hot right out of the air fryer. Then serve the stuffed tomatoes warm with fresh chopped basil (optional). Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftover stuffed tomatoes, you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that they may become more mushy over time.
The best way to reheat stuffed tomatoes is to put them back in the air fryer at a lower temperature like 280 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will heat them slowly and evenly as opposed to heating and burning the top too quickly.
The microwave will also heat them but may make the tomatoes extra soggy.
Related Recipes
If you liked this recipe for stuffed tomatoes, here are some more air fryer “stuffed” recipes that you might want to try next!
- Air Fried Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Easy Stuffed Zucchini
- Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Stuffed Eggplant
Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs, more to taste
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs, e.g. Italian-style seasoning
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 4 tomatoes, firm and ripe
- fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the grated cheddar, grated mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, granulated garlic (optional), dried herbs, salt, and a little bit of the oil.
- Cut off the top of each tomato and carefully scoop out the seeds and pulp while leaving the skin intact.
- Fill each tomato with cheese filling to the top.
- Grease the air fryer basket with the remaining oil, then place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket with space between them.
- Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until the tomatoes are tender. After 10 minutes, you can add a little more cheese mixture on top of the tomatoes if there is any left and cook for another two minutes. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the tomatoes, your air fryer, and personal preference.
- Allow the tomatoes to cool slightly (they will be very hot coming out of the air fryer), then serve the stuffed tomatoes warm with fresh chopped basil (optional).
Notes
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes. If you use very ripe tomatoes that are already soft, they may get too mushy during air frying.
- You can use different tomatoes, but they should be large enough to fill easily. Heirloom tomatoes can add a nice pop of color.
- Depending on the size of the tomatoes, you may need slightly more or less filling.
- You can modify the filling to your liking. For example, you can add cooked rice, cooked ground meat, or chopped nuts.
- Adjust the exact cooking time according to your preference. For firmer tomatoes, decrease the cooking time. For softer tomatoes, increase the cooking time.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
