Garlic Fried Tomatoes Recipe

5 from 4 votes

It doesn’t get any more deliciously simple than these fried tomatoes with garlic. Made with just a handful of common ingredients, these Mediterranean-inspired Garlic Fried Tomatoes are a delicious, luscious side dish!

Garlic fried tomatoes in a small white serving bowl.

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Looking for a simple way to use up extra tomatoes? Maybe you accidentally bought a few too many or your garden produced more than you anticipated. Either way, you can elevate the distinctive flavor of fresh, plump tomatoes by turning them into these Garlic Fried Tomatoes!

All you’ll need is a bit of olive oil, a few simple herbs and spices, and of course a few tomatoes. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a lusciously elegant dish that may be enjoyed on its own, as a side dish, or even as a garnish atop your favorite entrée. This simple combination of ingredients is sure to add a pop of juicy brightness to any dish.

💗 Why We Love This Recipe

Serves as either a side dish or an elegant garnish.
It’s a great way to use up a surplus of tomatoes.
Comes together in just 10 minutes.

🥘 About the Ingredients

Tomatoes – I prefer Roma tomatoes for this recipe. Romas are typically available year-round and have a meatier flesh and less juice than other varieties. Very juicy tomatoes don’t work well for this recipe.
Fresh Garlic – Crush and mince it yourself for the very best, fresh flavor.
Olive Oil – Use an excellent quality oil since it’s one of the few ingredients and the flavor is important to the finished recipe.
Spices – An aromatic blend of parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper help to balance the sweet earthiness of the ripe tomatoes.
Rustic Bread – I like to use sourdough, but any thick and hearty bread will work. A split baguette is really good!

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How to Make Garlic Fried Tomatoes

Parsley, garlic, and pepper flakes on a cutting board.

Combine the chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and finely minced garlic. Set aside.
Slice the tomatoes very thickly (at least 2/3 inch thick).
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add enough olive oil to generously cover the bottom of the pan.
When the oil is hot, carefully add the tomato slices. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Flip the slices over and sprinkle evenly with the parsley-garlic mixture. Cook for another 2 minutes.
Flip once more and cook for an additional 30 seconds. They should be cooked until softened but not falling apart or mushy.

Place the tomato slices on top of your choice of rustic bread or baguette (I use sourdough) and pour any pan juices over.

🔀 Variations and Options

Vary the flavors by adding other Mediterranean-based herbs and spices. Dried basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and sage are a few of my favorites.
Elevate the simple flavors of this dish by adding a thick slice of mozzarella cheese to the top of each tomato. Broil the fried tomatoes until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
These Mediterranean fried tomatoes make beautiful garnishes! Try serving them on top of grilled chicken or fish and alongside grilled cheese sandwiches.

💡 Tips

Be sure to cut the tomatoes into thick slices—almost an inch thick. This will help them retain their shape while cooking.
Olive oil is not a high-heat oil, so don’t get the pan too hot! Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with burnt-tasting tomatoes and quite a bit of smoke.
This recipe is a great way to use winter or off-season tomatoes. Once you add fresh garlic and olive oil, can anything really taste that bad?!

🍚 How to Store/Reheat

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. They may be eaten cold or easily reheated on the stovetop or in an air fryer.

❗ How to Prepare Ahead

Once all your ingredients are prepped, this recipe comes together in a matter of minutes! Beat the dinner-time crunch by slicing the tomatoes, mincing the garlic, and measuring out the spices ahead of time. Store everything separately in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

🍽 Make it a Meal

When served over bread, this recipe is hearty enough to serve as the star of a meat-free meal. It’s also a great side for protein-heavy recipes such as my Italian sausage and peppers, butter roasted chicken, or a perfect grilled ribeye steak.

❓ Questions

Are these fried tomatoes keto friendly?

Although these garlic tomatoes are fried, they are not battered so I feel sure they’d be completely appropriate for a keto diet!

Can you make fried garlic tomatoes in the air fryer?

Absolutely! To do so, brush the tomato slices with a generous amount of olive oil, then season them as normal. Place them in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 380°F for 8 minutes or until softened.

📖 Recipe