Air fryer stuffed tomatoes take less than 15 minutes to cook and are a simple, flavorful side or light main. They’re especially good in tomato season, but off-season tomatoes work well too because the air fryer concentrates and enhances their flavor.
This recipe is mostly hands-off. You’ll prepare the filling and hollow the tomatoes, then let the air fryer do the rest. The filling shown here is Italian-inspired—mozzarella, parmesan, panko and basil—but you can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- Large tomatoes (beefsteak, large campari, or other large varieties; avoid roma or small tomatoes)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (or substitute 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning)
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to make air fryer stuffed tomatoes
1. Wash and dry the tomatoes. Slice off the tops and scoop the insides into a medium bowl.
2. Place the hollowed tomatoes cut-side down on paper towels and let them drain and dry for about 20 minutes.
3. While the tomatoes dry, separate the watery liquid from the thicker pulp in the bowl of tomato insides. Roughly chop the pulp and discard or reserve the liquid for another use (sauce, soup, etc.).
4. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped tomato pulp with panko, shredded mozzarella, shredded parmesan, minced basil, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
5. Stuff each tomato with the cheese and breadcrumb mixture. Depending on tomato size you may have a little filling left over.
6. Place the stuffed tomatoes in the air fryer basket and sprinkle a little extra mozzarella on top.
7. Air fry at 350°F (about 175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops are lightly golden.
8. Remove from the air fryer, let cool slightly, then serve and enjoy.
Recipe tips
- Pack as much filling into each tomato as will comfortably fit; yield varies by tomato size.
- Customize the filling: add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chopped olives, or cooked bacon for different flavor profiles.
- Every air fryer is different—watch the first batch and adjust cook time as needed for your model.
Quick recipe summary
- Prep time: about 25 minutes (includes draining time)
- Cook time: 10–12 minutes at 350°F
- Serves: 2–4 depending on portion size
Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large tomatoes
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil, minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash tomatoes and slice off the tops. Scoop the insides into a bowl.
- Place tomatoes cut-side down on paper towels to drain for 20 minutes.
- Separate the watery liquid from the thicker pulp, chop the pulp, and add it to a bowl.
- Mix the pulp with panko, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until combined.
- Stuff each tomato with the filling and top with a little extra mozzarella.
- Air fry at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. Plate and enjoy.
Nutrition (estimate)
Calories: 196 kcal • Carbohydrates: 13 g • Protein: 13 g • Fat: 10 g • Sodium: 1068 mg
Nutrition values are estimates from an online calculator and should be verified if needed.