If you're looking for a delicious and easy side dish that brightens up any meaty main, look no further than these Air Fryer Tomatoes! This recipe is absolutely magical - the air fryer really brings out the best in fresh tomatoes, giving them a caramelized flavor that is impossible to resist. Whether you're serving them alongside steaks, chicken or as a topping for a heaping bowl of pasta, air fryer roasted tomatoes are sure to impress.
To say that I love tomatoes is an understatement. From tomato quinoa pilaf and tomato salad with goat cheese to broiled tomatoes with parmesan and roasted tomato lentil salad, I am always happy when tomatoes are on the menu.
Hands down, one of my favorite ways to take any meal from simple to spectacular is by roasting tomatoes in the air fryer.
Air frying tomatoes brings out their sweet, juicy flavor, making them the perfect sweet and savory side dish.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn ordinary tomatoes into something extraordinary. The best part? They come together in just minutes, making them the perfect addition to any weeknight meal.
Follow along, and I will teach you how to make this quick and easy recipe for air fryer cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes: You can use either cherry or grape tomatoes in this recipe. Cherry tomatoes are typically smaller than grape tomatoes and tend to be more sweet and juicy. Grape tomatoes usually have a smoother texture and a milder flavor. If you want to air fryer romas or even tomato slices, you may need to adjust your cooking time to accommodate the large tomato pieces.
- Oil: You can use your favorite cooking oil. I recommend either olive oil or avocado oil. Extra virgin olive oil is nice to drizzle for finishing, but I don’t like to cook with it.
- Sugar: Just a touch adds sweetness to this dish and helps the tomatoes caramelize when cooked.
- Salt: Use sea salt, kosher salt, or table salt.
- Italian seasoning: You can find premixed Italian seasoning in the spice section of most grocery stores. If you don't have it, a combination of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme adds a fragrant zing to the tomatoes. Fresh thyme can be used if you have it. If you want to add fresh basil, do so after cooking just before serving.
- Black pepper: To finish off this dish, add some freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step by Step
For the full recipe with measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
The tomatoes are done when they are softened and slightly caramelized. Serve warm as a side dish or a flavorful topping on salads, sandwiches, bowls, or pizza.
Pro Tips
• Make sure to use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Keep an eye on the tomatoes during cooking and adjust the cooking time if needed. Remember - air fryers vary widely in their strength and heat, so you may need to adjust the cooking time to suit your unit.
• If you like your tomatoes a little more done, cook for an additional few minutes. You can make these tomatoes soft by cooking a shorter time, or make them crispy by increasing the cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
Try this easy air-fried cherry tomatoes recipe for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Paired with Blackstone chicken, Instant Pot short ribs, picanha roast, or Ninja Foodi Grill salmon, these tomatoes are the perfect complement to your main dish.
Round out the meal with a green vegetable like grilled zucchini or garlic butter asparagus and a starchy side like Blackstone smashed potatoes or slow cooker polenta and you'll have a dinner that's flavor-packed.
FAQs
Can you air fry tomatoes?
Yes! Air frying tomatoes is an easy and delicious way to enjoy them. The air fryer helps the tomatoes cook faster than roasting in the oven and adds a nice slightly crispy texture that's great for topping salads or pizzas with.
Which tomatoes are best for air frying?
Most any ripe tomato will work great in an air fryer. I've use cherry or grape tomatoes in this recipe, but that certainly doesn't have to be what you use! Plum tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and a variety of heirloom tomatoes would all be delicious air fried.
How long are air fryer tomatoes good for?
Air fryer tomatoes can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I like to use them in bowls, as a snack with crackers or toast, and on cheese sandwiches. They are also fabulous in pasta sauce, pasta salad, and tomato soup.
To reheat, place them back in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through.
If you have surplus of tomatoes and want to freeze them you can do that. Leftovers would be good tossed into pasta and other dishes.
To freeze, allow the tomatoes to cool completely and arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
Then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Enjoy! ☺️🍅😊
Tools
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- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Think you can't make crispy breaded chicken that is gluten free and crazy delicious? This air fryer chicken breast proves otherwise!
- For a main course that is tasty enough for a holiday but so easy a special occasion isn't required, don't miss this air fryer turkey breast.
- Family friendly meals don't get any better than these air fryer chicken legs.
- For a fast and easy meal, don't miss these air fryer tuna steaks.
Air Fryer Tomatoes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350° F.
- Place the halved tomatoes in a large bowl and add the oil, sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, and ground black pepper. Toss gently to coat.
- Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
- Cook for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
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