Air-Frying Tomatoes: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook tomatoes. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, including appetisers, salads, garnishes, and even as a topping for bruschetta. They are also versatile, with users reporting success using different types of tomatoes, including cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and beefsteak tomatoes.

The benefits of using an air fryer include more even cooking and quicker results. They are also a healthier alternative to deep frying.

There are many different recipes for air-fried tomatoes, with a variety of seasonings and spices used to elevate the flavour.

Air fryer roasted tomatoes

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes (or grape/Roma tomatoes)
• Olive oil (extra virgin)
• Salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
• Black pepper
• Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano)
• Garlic
• Balsamic glaze (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, simply insert the food tray or basket without preheating.
• Wash and cut the tomatoes in half. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into smaller pieces or quarters.
• In a small bowl, toss the tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs until they are well coated. For extra flavour, add some garlic.
• Place the tomatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. For juicier tomatoes, use a tray or basket without holes, or line the bottom with aluminium foil.
• Air fry for 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Check the tomatoes regularly to ensure they don't burn.
• Once they are blistered and juicy, remove them from the air fryer.
• Toss the roasted tomatoes with chopped fresh herbs, such as basil.
• Serve as a side dish, appetizer, or use them in soups, salads, pasta dishes, or on toast.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the tomatoes in the air fryer. Allow enough space for each tomato half to caramelize and break down the skin.
• No need to peel the tomatoes! The skins add flavour and help keep the tomatoes intact when mixing into dishes like pasta or salad.
• You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika for a smoky flavour.
• Store leftover roasted tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for later use.

Air fryer grilled tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 large salad tomatoes
• Vegetable spray oil
• Sea salt flakes
• Olive oil
• Garlic (optional)
• Basil (optional)
• Oregano and/or dried thyme (optional)
• Chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

• If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting now.
• Prepare your dish in the air fryer. It is preferable to use aluminium foil to create a tray that is slightly smaller than the basket.
• Slice the tomatoes in half horizontally.
• Once heated, add the tray and the tomato halves to the air fryer. Position the tomatoes cut-side up.
• Give each tomato half a couple of sprays of vegetable spray oil and sprinkle over the sea salt flakes.
• Cook for 10 minutes at 200°C/390°F.
• The tomatoes do not need to be turned. Cook for longer if you prefer softer, more browned tomatoes.

Tips:

• This recipe works best with ripe, red tomatoes.
• For extra flavour, add some garlic and/or fresh herbs such as basil.
• You can also add chilli flakes if you like your tomatoes spicy.
• If you want to add extra seasoning, try garlic salt and paprika.
• For a Mediterranean twist, use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.

Air fryer tomatoes as a side dish

Air fryer tomatoes are a quick and easy dish to make as a side for a variety of meals. They are versatile, tasty, and healthy, and can be served in many different ways.

Ingredients

You can use a variety of tomatoes, including cherry, grape, Roma, plum, or buffalo tomatoes, or even larger tomatoes cut in half. You will also need olive oil, salt, and pepper, and perhaps some garlic and fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme.

Method

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to around 400°F/200°C. Then, cut your tomatoes in half and add them to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add your chosen herbs and spices. Place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and cook for around 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer tomatoes are a great side dish for a full English breakfast, or with a classic pub meal like steak and chips, gammon and chips, or sausage and chips. They also go well with a Mediterranean-style meal, or as a side for a BBQ. Try them with a green salad, fluffy bread, and a Middle Eastern-inspired selection of other sides, like griddled courgettes, roasted aubergine, lemon and coriander couscous, and tahini yoghurt dressing.

They are also a great addition to a vegetarian meal, pairing well with air fryer toast, a veggie burger, or a slice of crusty bread. They can be added to pasta, blended into dips and hummus, or used as a topping for bruschetta.

Air fryer tomatoes as an appetiser

Air fryer tomatoes are a quick and easy appetiser to make. They are versatile, tasty, and can be served in many different ways.

Ingredients

• Medium to large tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Herbs and spices (e.g. dried thyme, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, chilli flakes)
• Garlic
• Breadcrumbs
• Cheese (optional)

Method

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F.

Next, prepare your tomatoes. You can cut them in half, or into thick slices. Drizzle or brush the tomatoes with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and your chosen herbs and spices. You can also add some crushed garlic for extra flavour.

If you want to make your tomatoes cheesy or breaded, this is the time to do it. For cheesy tomatoes, add some shredded cheese on top of each tomato before cooking. For breaded tomatoes, brush the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and dried herbs.

Place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and cook for around 10-12 minutes. You can serve them straight away as a tasty appetiser, or use them in a variety of dishes.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer tomatoes are very versatile and can be served in many different ways. Here are some ideas:

• On toast or bruschetta
• As part of a salad
• In a sandwich
• As a topping for pasta or risotto
• As a side dish for a range of meals, such as steak, sausage and chips, or a full English breakfast
• In a dip, such as hummus
• As a topping for pizza or quiche
• In a soup

Air fryer tomatoes as a breakfast item

Air-Fryer Tomatoes as a Breakfast Item

Air-fried tomatoes are a great breakfast item, offering a juicy, tasty, and versatile addition to your morning meal. They are easy to prepare and quick to cook, making them a convenient and healthy breakfast option.

Choosing Tomatoes:

When selecting tomatoes for air-frying, opt for ripe, flavorful varieties. You can use larger tomatoes like beefsteak, Roma, or golf ball-sized tomatoes, which should be cut in half before cooking. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are also a great choice, as they are sweet and cook quickly due to their small size.

Seasonings and Pairings:

To enhance the flavor of your air-fried tomatoes, consider seasoning them with salt, garlic, and various herbs such as thyme, oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning. A drizzle of olive oil adds a nice touch of flavor and helps prevent the garlic from burning. For a heartier breakfast, pair your air-fried tomatoes with fried eggs, smoked sausage, bacon, beans, or toast. They also go well with avocado toast, hummus, or goat cheese.

Cooking Instructions:

Preparing air-fried tomatoes is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here are the basic steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C).
• Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the stem and thick part of the core.
• Season the tomatoes with your desired herbs, salt, and/or garlic. You can also add a light drizzle of olive oil.
• Place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket, cut side up.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes at 350°F (180°C) for halved tomatoes or 6 minutes at 375°F (190°C) for sliced tomatoes.

Storage and Reheating:

Air-fried tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at the same temperature, or warm them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Recipe Variations:

You can also get creative and try different variations of air-fried tomatoes:

• Cheesy Tomatoes: Before cooking, sprinkle shredded cheese of your choice on top of the cut side of the tomatoes and cook at 350°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes.
• Breaded Tomatoes: Brush halved tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs, dried herbs, and salt before cooking at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes.
• Spicy Tomatoes: Add chili flakes to your seasoning mix for a spicy kick.

So, the next time you're looking for a tasty and nutritious breakfast option, give air-fried tomatoes a try! They're a quick, delicious, and healthy way to start your day.

Frequently asked questions