Air fryer tomatoes – roasted tomatoes

These air fryer tomatoes on toast is the next best thing to avocado toast. Or that is what I think. But what makes these roasted tomatoes my favorite is that they are so versatile and so simple to make. There was a time when I used to make these in the oven. Since the advent of the air fryer in my kitchen, this already simple recipe has become umpteen times easier. Don’t have an air fryer? I m sharing instructions for roasting them tomatoes in the oven too.

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If you ask me why I love these tomatoes so much, here are my top 5 reasons-

1. Takes just 20 minutes to make a batch.
2. Freezer-friendly.
3. Naturally vegan, gluten-free and soy free.
4. Has no nasties like added colors or preservatives.
5. Can be added to everything from toast to pasta.

Ingredients

You just need 4 ingredients for this recipe.

Cherry tomatoes

I have used red cherry tomatoes to make this. You can also use yellow or orange ones. If you want to use Roma or Campia tomato varieties, chop them into quarters or halves and proceed with the recipe.

Garlic powder + Mixed Italian herbs

If you know me, you will also know how much I love garlic powder, right? This is like a flavor boost that makes an ordinary dish exceptional. Tomatoes and garlic are amazing together and this recipe proves that yet again.

Mixed Italian herb mix usually has oregano, thyme, marjoram, basil and the likes. If you do not have this, you can just use dried oregano or dried basil. If you are lucky enough to source fresh sweet basil, feel free to throw in a handful along with the tomatoes. The result is a delightful medley of basil, tomatoes and garlic. This almost resembles pesto.

Olive oil

All things good come out of olive oil. Yes. I am slightly partial to olive oil, especially in dishes that call for roasting. You can also use any neutral flavored vegetable oil with equal success here.

Salt 

Since some brands of Italian herb blend have salt added in them, go easy on the salt. I recommend checking the labels before adding salt so that you can adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Dietary specifications

This recipe is quite allergy-friendly since it is vegan, gluten, soy and nut free. Just make sure your garlic powder and the Italian herb blend is not processed in a facility that processes peanuts in case you have any health concerns.

Variations

1. Use Roma or Campia tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes. Chop them into halves or quarters and roast them cut side up.
2. Add whole garlic cloves instead of garlic powder for a more intense garlic flavor.
3. Switch the dried herbs to fresh herbs. Sweet basil, parsley, oregano and thyme all work beautifully in this recipe. If you are adding fresh herbs, chop them finely before adding them in.
4. Spice it up by adding freshly cracked black or white pepper. You can even try adding smoked sweet paprika. Even red chili flakes work well here.

Recipe Notes

1. Dry the tomatoes thoroughly. This is the most important step in this recipe. Since tomatoes are high in water content, they have to be thoroughly dry while being roasted. This is because any water on the surface will steam the tomatoes instead of roasting, which in turn, will alter the texture and taste.
2. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the baking tray to prevent soggy tomatoes.
3. If you do not want your tomatoes browned or charred on the surface, you can shake them around the half way mark.
4. Catch the juice! Tomatoes release a lot of juice. So, make sure your air fryer basket is clean while roasting these. This way, you can collect the juice that drips and use it too.
5. You don’t have to preheat your air fryer to make these. 
6. If you are using Roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes in this recipe, they take around 20 minutes to be fully roasted. Either halve the tomatoes or quarter them before tossing them in the olive oil + seasoning mixture and proceed to roast them.
7. Your tomatoes may take more time if they are slightly bigger in size or if you are making a large batch. Keep an eye after 12 minutes. 
8. Air fryer cooking time may vary based on your brand and model. Try roasting them in multiple batches if your air fryer basket is small. The tomatoes should be arranged in a single layer and not piled on top of each other.

Serving suggestions and uses

1. In pastas– toss them with some spaghetti or linguine for a simple and rustic meal.
2. Toppings for toast and bagel– they make a fabulous topping when combined with mashed avocadoes or steamed corn. 
3. Sandwich stuffing– Use this as a stuffing for sandwiches with sliced onions, beets, lettuce and mashed chickpeas. So good!
4. In soups– If you have these in the freezer, simply add them to your instant pot, add 1 cup of vegetable stock and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. When done, quick release pressure and blend to a smooth puree. That is all. Super quick tomato soup is ready.
5. For pasta sauce– Use them in place of chopped tomatoes or crushed tomatoes in pasta sauce recipes.
6. In salsa – because this is the easiest way to roast tomatoes for salsa
7. Add them to your favorite salads. The tang from the tomatoes is refreshing.

Shelf life, storage and freezing 

I recommend that you enjoy these roasted tomatoes warm and fresh. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2 days when stored in a clean air tight container or a mason jar. To freeze these tomatoes, allow them to cool completely. Transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze.

Thaw in fridge over night before use. Frozen tomatoes may be a tad soggy and mushy but the taste remains unchanged. These keep well for a month in the freezer when handled correctly. Like with all frozen goodies, please do not refreeze after thawing.

Method

Prep work

Wash the cherry tomatoes in a colander. Spread them out on a kitchen towel and allow them to dry under a fan. Pat them dry to remove any excess moisture.

Tossing the tomatoes and seasonings

In a mixing bowl, add the cherry tomatoes, salt, mixed Italian herbs and garlic powder along with the olive oil. Toss everything together gently using a silicon or wooden spatula. Be careful not to blister the tomatoes while doing this.

Air fryer roasted tomatoes

Air frying settings and temperature

Lightly spray the insides of your air fryer basket with an oil spray.Place the tomatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket.

Roast the tomatoes at 200 c ( 400 F) for 12 minutes or until they are completely squishy and blistered. Your tomatoes may take more time if they are slightly bigger in size or if you are making a large batch. Keep an eye after 12 minutes. 

Oven roasted tomatoes

To make these in the oven, follow all the prep steps. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). Arrange the cherry tomatoes coated with the olive oil + seasoning mixture in a baking tray. 

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them using tongs at the half way mark. Continue to bake them till they are completely squishy, slightly charred on the surface and blistered.

As always, oven timings may vary based on the model and brand of your oven. So, keep an eye on the tomatoes after 20 minutes to prevent burning. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

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Air fryer tomatoes

Easy roasted tomatoes in the air fryer- these take less than 20 minutes and are so versatile. Check out the blog post for oven roasted tomatoes.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Course: Accompaniments, Appetizer

Cuisine: American, International

Servings: 2

Calories: 112kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air fryer or oven
• 1 Mixing bowl
• 1 Spatula

Ingredients

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian herbs
• 3/4 tsp Salt or to taste

Instructions

Prep work

• Wash the cherry tomatoes in a colander.
• Spread them out on a kitchen towel and allow them to dry under a fan.
• Pat them dry to remove any excess moisture.

Tossing the tomatoes and seasonings together

• In a mixing bowl, add the cherry tomatoes, salt, mixed Italian herbs and garlic powder along with the olive oil.
• Toss everything together gently using a silicon or wooden spatula.
• Be careful not to blister the tomatoes while doing this.

Air frying settings and temperature

• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with an oil spray.
• Place the tomatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
• Roast the tomatoes at 200 c ( 400 F) for 12 minutes or until they are completely squishy and blistered.

Oven roasted tomatoes

• To make these in the oven, follow all the prep steps.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). Arrange the cherry tomatoes coated with the olive oil + seasoning mixture in a baking tray.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them using tongs at the half way mark.
• Continue to bake them till they are completely squishy, slightly charred on the surface and blistered.

Notes

1. Dry the tomatoes thoroughly. This is the most important step in this recipe. Since tomatoes are high in water content, they have to be thoroughly dry while being roasted. This is because any water on the surface will steam the tomatoes instead of roasting, which in turn, will alter the texture and taste.
2. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the baking tray to prevent soggy tomatoes.
3. If you do not want your tomatoes browned or charred on the surface, you can shake them around the half way mark.
4. Catch the juice! Tomatoes release a lot of juice. So, make sure your air fryer basket is clean while roasting these. This way, you can collect the juice that drips and use it too.
5. You don’t have to preheat your air fryer to make these. 
6. If you are using Roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes in this recipe, they take around 20 minutes to be fully roasted. Either halve the tomatoes or quarter them before tossing them in the olive oil + seasoning mixture and proceed to roast them.
7. Your tomatoes may take more time if they are slightly bigger in size or if you are making a large batch. Keep an eye after 12 minutes. 
8. Air fryer cooking time may vary based on your brand and model. Try roasting them in multiple batches if your air fryer basket is small. The tomatoes should be arranged in a single layer and not piled on top of each other.
9. Nutrition information is provided here as a courtesy. Please consult a health care practitioner if you have any health concerns.

For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes

Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 899mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1174IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg

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