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Roasted Cherry Tomatoes are a fantastic way to enjoy the best of fresh summer produce. Made by roasting in a hot oven with olive oil and salt, so simple to make and so good, these intensely flavored tomatoes make a great side dish or topping for pasta!
I’m a huge fan of roasted vegetables! Oven Roasted Vegetables and Roasted Green Beans along with these tomatoes are some of our family favorites.
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What can I do with an abundance of cherry tomatoes?
This is actually the question that prompted me to share this recipe. This abundance of cherry tomatoes. A friend had given me a couple of bags full of them, different colors different sizes. Some are even grape tomatoes.
Feel free to mix up the tomatoes in this recipe. Use cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, any other small tomato variety, red ones, yellow ones, dark purple ones, everyone’s welcome!
Does roasting tomatoes change the flavor?
Yes, roasting changes the flavor of tomatoes. Through the roasting process, they lose moisture and the flavors get concentrated and the flavors intensify. They come out of the oven sweet, softened, and with great rich umami flavor.
How to make
Get your tomatoes and clean them up. Remove any stems or leaves, as well as any that look shriveled or damaged.
Next, you’ll want to cut them all in half. This step is optional, but I highly recommend it. Whole roasted cherry tomatoes tend to burst open in the oven, which can make a big mess. In addition, they don’t look as pretty that way.
Toss the prepared tomatoes in oil and salt, and lay them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet.
Place them all cut sides up to start, and into the oven to roast. Stir them once or twice while they bake.
That’s it! Now you just have to figure out how you want to use these flavorful goodies. But don’t worry, I have lots of suggestions a little lower in the post.
Should I skin tomatoes before roasting?
No need to peel cherry tomatoes. The skins are perfectly edible, and taste great. And, contrary to the old wives’ tale, the seeds in tomatoes are not bitter and won’t adversely affect the flavor.
Storage
The tomatoes keep nicely in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
Olive oil will often solidify in the fridge. The oil with soften if left at room temperature. Or, you can choose to use a different oil if you prefer one that doesn’t solidify. I have had good results with grapeseed oil.
For longer storage, place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions
Here are some ideas for you to use these tomatoes. Take your pasta, soup, or sandwich to the next level.
- Roasted cherry tomatoes pasta: Simply take the roasted tomatoes and toss them with some cooked pasta. Add in a pinch of salt, some freshly ground pepper, maybe some basil as a garnish. And some fresh mozzarella.
- Roasted cherry tomatoes sauce: puree the tomatoes with onions and garlic for a deep richly flavored marinara sauce. This delicious sauce can be used in any recipe that calls for tomato sauce, and it’s great on flatbread pizza!
- Soups: A simple puree of these roasted tomatoes with some broth, maybe a pinch of salt and some basil for a divine roasted tomato soup. Add in a splash of cream or sour cream for a creamy tomato soup.
Make tortilla soup with some broth, toasted tortillas (or even tortilla chips), corn, and cilantro. Add in some black beans for a black bean soup. Don’t forget the avocado. - Salsa: mix them with some chopped white onion and cilantro for an easy salsa.
- Sandwiches: Add these to a fantastic BLT sandwich with some mushroom bacon, lettuce, and mayo. Grilled cheese sandwiches are great with a little added tomato. Place some in Mini Sandwich Bites. Add them to my Cottage Cheese Avocado Toast – so good for breakfast!
- Bowls: add these to a fresh bowl with some quinoa or barley, like these Grain Bowls
- Salad: a fresh salad with arugula or kale, shaved Parmesan, and a drizzle of vinaigrette. Fancy up a Caprese Salad with a garnish of these cherry tomatoes.
- Vinaigrette: Mix the roasted tomatoes or a puree of the tomatoes with extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar of choice (balsamic, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar). Add in some seasonings like herbs, salt, & mustard as desired.
- Appetizers: Serve the tomatoes on a cheese tray with crackers. Or pour some over a black of cream cheese and serve with crackers. Top a crostini or toast with some burrata, tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Turn them into dip using my sun-dried tomato dip recipe.
- Simple side dish: Serve a nice piece of fish like roasted salmon with these on the side.
- Breakfast: add some to an omelet or top avocado toast with a few.
Add in a splash of cream or sour cream for a creamy tomato soup.
Changes to the recipe
Feel free to mix it up a bit with some fresh garlic or chopped onions.
Drizzle on some balsamic vinegar after the tomatoes have come out of the oven.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes, these can be made in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400° F. Cut them in half and toss with oil and salt. Use an {affiliate link} air fryer liner and place the tomatoes in one layer in the liner. You may have to cook the tomatoes in multiple batches. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. And you have roasted cherry tomatoes air fryer!
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Recipe
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes stemmed
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F with rack in top third of the oven.
- Slice each tomato in half, or in quarters if the tomatoes are larger. Place halved tomatoes in a single layer on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.
- Toss with the olive oil and salt. Arrange tomatoes so the cut side is up.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes (smaller tiny tomatoes will take less time to bake), giving them a stir once or twice during baking, until they are softened and starting to turn golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Notes
Preheat the air fryer to 400° F. Cut them in half and toss with oil and salt. Use an {affiliate link} air fryer liner and place the tomatoes in one layer in the liner. You may have to cook the tomatoes in multiple batches. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. The tomatoes keep nicely in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge. For longer storage, place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. The tomatoes reduce down by about half, so the recipe makes about 1 & 1/2 cups. Serving size for nutrition calculation is 1/4 cup, or 6 servings. Use these roasted cherry tomatoes as an easy pasta sauce, turn them into a rich marinara, blend them into a soup, toss them into a salad, and many more ways to enjoy them.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Debi
These roasted tomatoes are so full of flavor and so easy to make. My family loves them. I hope you give them a try. ~ Debi, author, Life Currents