Air fryer cherry tomatoes are versatile to eat and don't heat up the kitchen when you cook them. They're saucy and flavorful while being oil-free. It takes just 10 minutes to air fry them. Wonderful stirred into pasta or polenta, on bruschetta or crostini, over hummus, the list goes on!
This is one of those recipes I will have on repeat every time cherry tomato season rolls around. In just 15 minutes, we have saucy goodness that we can do all sorts of things with!
I love the versatility of this recipe. It's a quick and easy way to make saucy tomatoes without standing over a stove. They can be added to anything you'd like tomatoes in. Air frying really brings out the flavors, roasting them so that their sugary juices start to caramelize.
When it's tomato season, it's also tomatillo season. This recipe is similar to my Roasted Tomatillos, also very delicious.
Ingredients
This is a one-ingredient recipe, unless you'd like to add more.
All you need are cherry tomatoes, any variety or a mix.
If you'd like, you can add garlic. I usually do!
Cherry tomatoes: I actually like using a mix because some are on the sweeter side, others more tart. That said, you can use any variety you'd like. No cherry tomatoes? Use roma or any other tomatoes instead, chopped to approximate the size of sliced cherry tomatoes.
Optional additions
Garlic: The cherry tomatoes are amazing all on their own, full of flavor. Yet I will usually be adding the garlic. It cooks just right in the juices of the tomatoes and really takes them up a notch.
Salt: I highly recommend flake salt for this recipe. I usually use table salt, since I need the iodine that it contains. Flake salt doesn't have iodine, but for this recipe the flavor really is worth skipping the iodine this once! Can you get away without using any salt? Yes! The tomatoes have a lot of flavor without salt.
If you want to skip the salt but enhance the flavors further, try adding a squeeze of lemon or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: Adding a few sprigs to the pan gives you a new delicious variation.
Fresh basil: Delicious sprinkled over the top once cooked.
Maple syrup: If your tomatoes turn out too tart, stir in a touch of maple syrup. Also helpful with a splash of water if your tomatoes don't get very juicy in the cooking process.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
Here's what you'll need to make this simple recipe.
An air fryer: This will cook the fastest without heating up your whole kitchen. If you don't have one, a toaster oven or standard oven can be used. Those options will have different cook times, likely requiring a bit more.
Roasting pan: Since the cherry tomatoes get juicy as they cook and could drip in an air fryer tray, we aren't using one. Instead, use a solid pan that is safe for the air fryer. There are other oven-safe containers beyond a roasting pan that can withstand heat up to at least 400 degrees F.
Knife and cutting board: small versions will work ok. We're just slicing cherry tomatoes and maybe chopping garlic.
Instructions
This is a very simple recipe with big flavors.
Wash and remove any stems, then slice the cherry tomatoes and add them to the roasting pan in a single layer.
If using garlic, coarsely chop it. Rosemary sprigs (not shown) could also be added to the pan.
Add the garlic to the pan.
Make sure the tomatoes are in a single layer, then cook them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Air fryer cherry tomatoes that are juicy.
Air fryer cherry tomatoes with garlic, not so juicy. In this case, add a splash of water and touch of maple syrup to the pan and stir to loosen the juice from the pan.
Tip
Can be eaten hot or cold! Add a touch of maple syrup if you find your cooked cherry tomatoes are too tart.
Serving
These cherry tomatoes can be enjoyed in so many ways! You can eat them hot or cold. They're fantastic over dips like hummus, stirred into pasta or polenta, as a topping on a salad or crostini - enjoy however you'd like!
Storage
Store in a sealed refrigerated container for up to a few days.
FAQ
Instead of using an air fryer tray, we're using an oven safe dish or roasting pan so that the tomatoes don't drip through an air fryer tray. I use my air fryer setting even though I'm using a different pan. Just make sure your pan is safe to use in an air fryer up to at least 400 degrees.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are delicious with the cherry tomatoes:
The Recipe
Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Equipment
- knife and cutting board small ok
- roasting pan or other that can withstand 400 degrees
- air fryer or toaster oven or standard oven
Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
Optional Additions
- 2 tablespoons garlic coarsely chopped
- rosemary a few sprigs
- ¼ teaspoon flake salt or other salt
Optional Topping
- fresh basil a few sprigs
- maple syrup just a touch if too tart
- lemon a squeeze
- balsamic vinegar a splash
Instructions
- After washing the cherry tomatoes, remove any stems and slice them in half.
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- To the roasting pan, add the rosemary sprigs (if using) to the middle of the pan before adding the other ingredients.Add the sliced cherry tomatoes in an even layer. If using garlic, sprinkle it into the pan. Move the ingredients around if necessary to ensure even distribution. It's best if the cherry tomatoes are on top of the rosemary sprigs.
- When the air fryer is ready, place the roasting pan on a rack that supports the pan in the suggested air fryer placement and air fry for 10 minutes.
- Once finished, remove any rosemary sprigs. Sprinkle with the salt, if desired.
- Enjoy immediately any way you'd like, such as over bruschetta, crostini, pasta, hummus, or simply on it's own. Can be eaten hot or cold.
- Store in an sealed refrigerated container for up to a few days.
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