Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes
Roasting tomatoes in the oven can take an hour, but the air fryer concentrates their flavor in about 12 minutes. Air fryer roasted tomatoes burst, collapse and turn sweet and jammy, with just a little garlic and olive oil. Use this recipe for cherry tomatoes or for halved Roma tomatoes, and use them as a topping, a side, or the start of a quick pasta sauce.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 17min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 80kcal
Why the air fryer works for roasted tomatoes
A tomato is full of water, and roasting is mostly a way to remove some of it. As the water evaporates, the sugars and the savory compounds concentrate, so the flavor gets deeper and sweeter. In an oven that process takes 45 to 60 minutes at a low temperature. In an air fryer, the moving hot air strips the surface moisture quickly, so the same effect happens in 12 minutes.
The skins also split and wrinkle, and the juices bubble with the oil and garlic to make a light sauce right in the basket. Keep an eye on the clock, because small tomatoes go from jammy to scorched in a couple of minutes.
How to make roasted tomatoes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prep Rinse the tomatoes and dry them well. Leave cherry tomatoes whole, but prick each one once with the tip of a knife so they do not pop. Leave the garlic cloves in their skins.
- Season Toss the tomatoes and garlic in a bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and oregano until coated.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for .
- Cook Add the tomatoes and garlic to the basket in a single layer. Cook for , shaking the basket after . For more concentrated, darker tomatoes, cook for 2 more minutes.
- Finish The tomatoes should be wrinkled, with split skins and bubbling juices. Squeeze the soft garlic out of its skin, mash it into the juices and top with the fresh basil.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole cherry tomatoesPrick once, shake halfway | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Roma halves, for sauceCut side up | 350 °F (180 °C) | 15–18 min |
| Large tomato halves | 350 °F (180 °C) | 15–18 min |
| Grilled-style halvesBreadcrumbs or cheese (not vegan or gluten-free) | 375 °F (190 °C) | 6–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Thanksgiving in the air fryer – a game plan
Tips
- Use ripe tomatoes. Roasting concentrates flavor but cannot create it, so choose tomatoes that are fragrant and slightly soft.
- Save the juices. Pour the juices from the bottom of the basket and the mashed garlic over pasta, toast or eggs. Do not leave it behind in the basket.
- Wipe the basket afterward. Tomato juices can drip into the drawer, so empty and wash it right after cooking, before the sugars bake on.
What to serve with roasted tomatoes
Toss the tomatoes with hot spaghetti and a handful of Parmesan for a quick weeknight pasta, spoon them over toast with ricotta, or serve them next to chicken breast or salmon. They also taste good on top of air fryer garlic bread, which is a quick take on bruschetta.
Storing and reheating
Roasted tomatoes keep for up to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They freeze well for 3 months, with the juices. Reheat them in the air fryer at 325 °F for 3 minutes, or warm them gently in a saucepan.
Variations
- Balsamic: Add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar and a pinch of sugar to the bowl for deeper caramelization.
- Tomatoes and peppers: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and cook for 12–14 minutes, shaking twice.
- Feta: Place 4 oz of feta in a small oven-safe dish in the center, with the tomatoes around it, and bake until soft (not dairy-free).
- For salsa: Roast Roma tomato halves with half an onion and a jalapeño, then blend with lime juice and cilantro.
If it does not turn out right
- The tomatoes burst and splatter inside the air fryer
- Prick each tomato once, and do not overfill the basket. A small amount of bursting is normal and gives you the juices for the sauce.
- The tomatoes are watery and not concentrated
- They were too crowded or too wet. Pat them dry, cook in one layer, and add 2–3 minutes at the end.
- The garlic tastes bitter
- Small cloves burn when loose. Keep them in their skins, which protects them while they soften.
Questions and answers
How long do you roast tomatoes in the air fryer?
Whole cherry tomatoes take 10–12 minutes at 375 °F. Halved Roma tomatoes take 12–15 minutes at 350 °F, and large tomato halves need up to 18 minutes.
Can you roast tomatoes for sauce in the air fryer?
Yes. Roast 1½ lb halved Roma tomatoes with garlic and onion at 350 °F for 15–18 minutes, then blend or mash them with the juices for pasta sauce, soup or salsa. Cook in batches for larger amounts.
Do you need to cut the tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes can go in whole, as long as you prick them. Larger tomatoes should be halved, cut side up, so the moisture escapes.
What is the difference between roasted and grilled tomatoes?
Roasted tomatoes cook through and collapse with their own juices. Grilled-style tomato halves cook cut side up for 6–8 minutes at 375 °F, hold their shape and are often topped with breadcrumbs or cheese.
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