These air fryer cherry tomatoes are an easy, fast way to roast tomatoes without heating your whole kitchen. The recipe relies on simple pantry ingredients and takes only five minutes to prepare.
Roasting concentrates the tomatoes’ juices and intensifies their flavor. The longer you cook them, the sweeter and more jam-like they become. Use these roasted cherry tomatoes to boost pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and more.
The finished tomatoes are sweet, tangy, and savory in each bite. They make a great condiment, side, or garnish and are especially useful when you want concentrated tomato flavor from a small amount of produce.
We frequently find new uses for a batch of roasted cherry tomatoes: stir them into guacamole, scatter them over a grilled romaine salad, add them to fish tacos, or pile them on toasted bread.
Here’s Why This Recipe Works
- The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.
- Roasting caramelizes the tomatoes’ natural sugars and concentrates their flavor.
- Small cherry or grape tomatoes cook quickly, so you get great results in a short time.
The Ingredients
Below are the basic ingredients for this recipe. Quantities and step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card further down.
- Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes).
- Olive oil — any cooking oil will work, but olive oil complements roasted tomatoes particularly well.
- Garlic powder for subtle savory depth.
- Salt to enhance sweetness and overall flavor.
- Pepper for a light warm bite.
How to Make It
Quick overview of the process — full details are in the printable recipe card.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, then toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Spread the tomatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space so air can circulate.
- Air fry at 350°F for about 20–24 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through so they cook evenly.
That’s it. For variations, see the seasoning suggestions below to customize the flavor profile to your taste.
Tips for Success
- Halving the tomatoes speeds up cooking and helps excess juices evaporate so they concentrate into a jammy texture.
- Try to arrange the tomatoes in a single layer. A few may overlap, but avoid stacking too many on top of one another.
- Cooking longer yields sweeter, more concentrated, jam-like tomatoes.
- If you prefer easier cleanup, use air fryer parchment liners sized for your basket.
Flavor Variations
Switch up the seasoning to match the dish you’re making. Try adding 1–2 teaspoons of any of these for different flavor profiles:
- Mediterranean herb blends (oregano, thyme, basil, and lemon zest)
- Rosemary and Dijon-style seasoning for a savory twist
- Smoky or all-purpose barbecue rub for a deeper, smoky flavor
How to Use Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
These versatile roasted tomatoes add instant flavor to many dishes. Ideas include:
- Topping for pizza
- Stirred into chili
- Mixed into pasta or grain bowls
- Bruschetta or crostini toppings
- Added to sandwiches or BLTs for a flavor boost
- Tossed with roasted vegetables
- Stuffed into breakfast wraps or pockets
- Combined with meat stuffings or used as a garnish for baked or roasted dishes
This recipe works well with fresh tomatoes or those that are starting to soften—don’t throw out slightly wrinkled cherry tomatoes; roasting brings them back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cool them, then store in freezer-proof containers or bags. Properly stored, they keep for several months in the freezer.
Not exactly. Roasted tomatoes cook at higher temperatures and retain more juice, while sun-dried tomatoes are dried at lower heat for longer and lose most of their moisture.
Store them in the fridge for 3–4 days, or freeze for longer storage (several months).
Tools and Equipment
An air fryer with a basket large enough to hold a single layer of tomatoes works best. If your air fryer is small, cook in batches. Parchment liners designed for air fryers will make cleanup easier.
Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes
Cooking the cherry tomatoes concentrates their juices and heightens flavor. They make excellent additions to pasta, pizza, sandwiches, or simply eaten on toast.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, then toss them in a bowl with the oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat them thoroughly.
- Transfer to the air fryer and spread them as evenly as possible. If more than a quarter of the tomatoes are stacked, cook in batches.
- Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook 20–24 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through to ensure even roasting.
Notes
- We used a 9″ x 9″ air fryer basket. If your basket is smaller, you may need to roast in 2–3 batches.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 46
Total Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary.
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