Air Fryer Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Roasted cherry tomatoes offer a tasty and healthy side or snack. You may think of them as "only" a side dish, but that doesn't mean that they can't shine of their own accord. When you combine them with delicious herbs and rich olive oil, it all comes together to create a flavor profile you won't be able to get enough of.

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge has roasted tomatoes for many years, but she's mainly done this in the oven to add to her tomato soup. She likes this recipe, which uses an air fryer, because it is so easy, you cannot mess it up ... really, even if you try! Plus, roasting intensifies the flavor of the tomatoes, making them enticingly sweet to eat. The process removes some liquid, too, so the tomatoes become crisper and, sometimes, charred. 

This recipe takes less than 15 minutes in the air fryer and requires just five ingredients (seven if you want to top your tomatoes with fresh basil and eat it on ciabatta bread like a bruschetta). Let's take a look at how you can whip up this recipe for yourself.

Pick well when you choose your cherry tomatoes. Firm tomatoes are the best, especially if they are fresh off the vine, advised Olayinka. Paying attention to what you buy always translates to a better taste on your table. This dish serves two to three people, depending on portion size. If you are having a dinner party, you can easily double (or triple) the recipe if you need more.

One batch, though, will require 17 ounces of cherry tomatoes, two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a quarter of a teaspoon of black pepper, a quarter of a teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of dried basil. If you really want to take this dish to the next level, you'll also need some fresh basil for topping as well as some sliced ciabatta bread for serving.

This step seems simple. Just get a cutting board, slice the 17 ounces of cherry tomatoes into halves, and then place them into a mixing bowl. This process is already easy, but you can make it even more effortless by trying this hack. First, make sure you have a sharp knife that's serrated so it'll grab the vegetable as you cut through them. 

The second step requires sandwiching a half dozen or more tomatoes between two plastic lids or plates. Secure the tomatoes by pushing down on the top lid or plate so they seem steady, and then slice through a whole bunch at once, cutting away from yourself with the knife. Presto! Why cut tomatoes one at a time when you can do it this way?

Seasoning foods properly ensures that all the flavors combine perfectly together. For the roasted tomatoes to reach their flavor potential, first carefully add the two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the bowl. You want the tomatoes well-covered, so either shake the bowl to distribute the oil or use a spoon to ensure everything is mixed well.

Next, add a quarter teaspoon of black pepper, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and a teaspoon of dried basil. Stir gently — you don't want to bruise the cherry tomatoes with your enthusiasm — until all are evenly coated with the aromatic, slightly spiced marinade.

Place a parchment paper sheet in the air fryer tray — this will make clean-up a breeze — and then place the seasoned cherry tomatoes into it.

Cook on 350 degrees Fahrenheit for eight minutes, carefully turning them over at the four-minute mark. After eight minutes, take the tomatoes out of the air fryer tray. Repeat the process again if needed for a second batch of cherry tomatoes (or a third).

Serve immediately. This dish tastes best hot and fresh. You can eat the roasted cherry tomatoes as a side dish, a snack, on top of bread, or even to add a bit of sweet chunkiness to tomato soup. Olayinka suggested trying a Mexican-inspired version of the recipe by spicing up the tomatoes with cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic, and onion powder. However you adapt this, we guarantee the dish will be delish!