Name: Fried Tomato Sandwich, no Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 3 sandwiches
Ingredients: ¼ cup all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper; 2 small eggs, beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper; 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs, seasoned with salt and pepper; 6 slices tomato, (1/2-inch thick), firm and not too ripe; ⅓ cup avocado oil; 3 teaspoons mayo, or spicy mayo; 3 leaves lettuce; 6 slices turkey, or black forest ham

Our Fried Tomato Sandwich is what we call an “INSIDE-OUT sandwich”. The tomato that’s usually on the inside of the sandwich is instead breaded and placed on the outside, replacing sliced bread. Thick slabs of fresh tomato are dredged in flour, eggs, and breadcrumb, and pan-fried until crisp and crunchy. Incredibly customizable you can load up these low-carb sandwiches with your favorite fixings.

Before you start

The Fried Tomato Sandwich features breaded, fried tomato slices in place of traditional bread, creating a low-carb meal.
This customizable sandwich allows you to add any toppings you like, making it a versatile choice.
You can modify the recipe for gluten-free or vegan options, and even use an air fryer for a healthier version.

What stands out

Our Fried Tomato Sandwich is a low-carb dream. We promise you will NOT miss the bread when you sink your teeth into this recipe. By breading and shallow-frying the tomatoes, they are crispy on the outside, but stay sweet and firm on the inside. We honestly prefer these fried tomatoes over sandwich bread! You can absolutely customize the fillings to whatever you have on hand, or your family loves.

Ingredients for a recipe displayed on a marble surface: two large tomatoes on a wooden board, eggs, a bowl of breadcrumbs, olive oil in a small container, and flour in a white bowl with a striped cloth nearby.

All Purpose Flour: Step one of a 3-part dredging station is all-purpose flour. It helps create a crust for the egg to stick to.

Eggs: Next, whisked eggs are used to give the breadcrumbs something to cling to.

Breadcrumbs: Panko or Italian breadcrumbs both work equally well to create a crunchy crust.

Tomato: Select the firmest, least juicy tomatoes. After slicing the tomatoes, you can optionally sprinkle each slice with salt to draw out excess moisture. Then dab off the moisture with a paper towel.

Avocado Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point is suited to frying.

Mayo: Our preferred sandwich condiment of choice! You can easily make homemade mayo with an immersion blender.

Lettuce: A bit of greenery to add color and freshness.

Turkey: Our protein of choice is sliced turkey or ham, but you can add any you like, including fried eggs.

Kitchen tip

Make sure that when choosing the tomato for this recipe it is firm and not too ripe or it will not hold its shape.

Three sandwiches with deli meat, lettuce, avocado, and mayonnaise are stacked between two crispy breaded rounds on a wooden board.

Swaps

Feel free to use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs if you are sensitive to gluten.
If you are vegan, you can try using melted vegan butter or oil instead of eggs to dredge.
Leave out the cold cuts in this Breaded Tomato Sandwich if you are vegetarian/vegan. You can add a plant-based alternative instead.
If you’re looking to make your own homemade breadcrumbs please click here: Italian Breadcrumbs.

How to Modify this Fried Tomato Sandwich, no Bread for the Air Fryer

You can make the breaded tomatoes slices inthe air fryer. Spray each tomato slice on both sides with avocado or olive oil. Air fry at 400F (200F) for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes are crispy and golden on the outside.

We have the COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo. The recipe time and temperature will vary by appliance, so please keep an eye on the tomato slices as they cook.

Two sandwiches made with crispy breaded buns, filled with layers of lettuce, sliced meat, avocado, and topped with white sauce, are placed on a wooden board. The background features a subtle hexagonal pattern.

Serve it with

Turn this Fried Tomato Sandwich into a BLT and fill with bacon and lettuce.
Serve this as a breakfast sandwich with a fried egg and avocado slices.
Serve this alongside a fresh salad, like our Simple Green Salad or Authentic Greek Salad.

Questions

can we bake the breaded tomatoes instead of frying?

You certainly can bake these, although they may not end up as crispy as frying. We would bake them at 400°F (200°C) on a greased baking sheet for 15-20 minutes (flipping halfway through), until golden brown.

strong Can we make this fried tomato sandwich recipe strong gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs as substitutes.

can we make this Fried tomato sandwich vegetarian?

Yes, skip the ham or turkey and enjoy with just the mayo, lettuce, or other vegetarian toppings. You could also add a fried egg for protein.

can we make these Fried tomato sandwiches ahead of serving?

These breaded tomatoes are best served right away so they maintain their crispiness.

what is the best kind of tomato to use?

Use a large, firm tomato variety, such as the variety called beefsteak tomatoes. Green tomatoes also work well, because they are firm. Avoid heirloom and overripe tomatoes, which will be too juicy and messy to fry.

Ingredients

Makes 3 sandwiches

¼ cup all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 small eggs, beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs, seasoned with salt and pepper
6 slices tomato, (1/2-inch thick), firm and not too ripe
⅓ cup avocado oil

Additional Toppings

3 teaspoons mayo, or spicy mayo
3 leaves lettuce
6 slices turkey, or black forest ham

Equipment

Mixing Bowls
Measuring Cups + Spoons
Nakiri Knife
Cutting Board
Ceramic Pans

Method

Prepare the dredging station by adding the flour to one bowl the beaten eggs into another bowl, and the breadcrumbs to another bowl.
Dip each tomato slice in the flour.
Next, dip your floured tomato in egg mixture.
Finally, dip in breadcrumbs, making sure to coat each tomato slice all over. Repeat this step with the remaining slices.
Note: If you don't want to get your hands too dirty use the right hand, left hand, right hand method. Dip the tomato in the flour with the left hand, then dip it in the egg mixture switching to your right hand, and lastly coat it in the breadcrumbs by switching to the left hand again. In doing so, you will avoid ingredient buildup on your fingers.
Once the tomato slices have been breaded, set them aside.
Coat the bottom of a pan with a thin layer of the oil and warm over medium-high heat, until the oil shimmers. (The tomato slices should sizzle when placing them in the oil.)
Fry the tomatoes for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden.
Transfer the fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
Assemble the fried tomato "sandwiches" with any toppings you like. We added 1 teaspoon mayo, lettuce, and sliced turkey, followed by another slice of breaded tomato on top. Enjoy!

Kitchen notes

Toppings Galore: There are unlimited topping options for these sandwiches. A few of our favorites include sliced avocado, sliced cheese, fresh herbs (such as basil), sliced pickles or relish, and more.
Low Carb, Gluten-Free Sandwiches: If you love this low-carb alternative to bread, check out our other similar recipes: Viral Jalapeño Sandwich which uses just jalapeños and cheese to create a “wrap,” Egg Sandwich and Watermelon Sandwich.
Green Tomatoes: Unripe green tomatoes are an excellent choice here, since they are firm and not too juicy, which makes them ideal for frying. However, they can be more sour and less sweet than firm red, ripe tomatoes.