Air-Fryer Tomatoes: Can You Do It?

Air fryers are a great way to cook tomatoes. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, including air fryer roasted tomatoes, air fryer grilled tomatoes, and air fryer cherry tomatoes. The cooking time varies depending on the type of tomato and the desired level of doneness, but it typically ranges from 8 to 12 minutes. Air-fried tomatoes can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or as part of a salad or pasta dish. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days or frozen for later use.

Air fryer roasted tomatoes

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
• Olive oil (extra virgin or avocado oil)
• Salt (sea salt, kosher salt, or table salt)
• Black pepper
• Garlic (freshly peeled and minced)
• Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or rosemary)
• Balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions:

• If your air fryer needs preheating, set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half.
• In a small bowl, toss the tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs until they are well coated.
• Place the tomato halves cut-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.
• Cook at 400 degrees F for 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• Carefully remove the tomatoes from the air fryer and garnish with fresh herbs or balsamic vinegar, if desired.

Tips:

• For extra juicy tomatoes, use a tray or basket without holes, or line the bottom of the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer brand and model. Start checking the tomatoes after 7 minutes to prevent burning.
• You can store roasted tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions:

• Topping for crusty toast or bruschetta
• Mixed into pasta, risotto, or salads
• Added to sandwiches, wraps, or quesadillas
• Blended into dips or hummus
• Used in soups or roasted tomato soup
• Topping for avocado toast or bagels with cream cheese
• Accompaniment to grilled chicken or meat dishes
• Topping for homemade pizza

Air fryer grilled tomatoes

Ingredients

• 2 large salad tomatoes (80g/3oz each)
• 8 sprays of vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp of sea salt flakes
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method

• If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting now.
• Prepare your dish in the air fryer. It's best to use aluminium foil to create a tray that's slightly smaller than the air fryer basket.
• Slice the tomatoes in half horizontally.
• Place the tray and tomato halves into the air fryer, with the cut side facing up.
• Spray each tomato half with vegetable oil and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.
• Cook for 10 minutes at 200°C/390°F.
• For softer, more browned tomatoes, cook for a few minutes longer.

Tips

• This recipe works best with ripe, red tomatoes, but you can use cheaper, less ripe tomatoes if that's all you have available.
• You can add other spices and seasonings to the tomatoes, such as garlic salt and paprika.
• If you're serving the tomatoes as part of a Mediterranean-style meal, you can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
• You can store cooked air-fried tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze them for up to six months.

Air fryer roasted cherry tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes
• Olive oil (or avocado oil)
• Salt (sea salt or regular table salt)
• Pepper
• Garlic (optional)
• Basil (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Balsamic vinegar (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C-205°C.
• Wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
• If using garlic, add it to the tomatoes along with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the tomatoes.
• Place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.
• Air fry for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through if desired.
• If using basil, remove the tomatoes from the air fryer and toss with chopped basil.
• Serve immediately as a side dish, appetizer, or add to your favourite recipes like pasta, salads, or dips.

Tips:

• You can also make garlic roasted cherry tomatoes by peeling and halving garlic cloves and mixing them with the tomatoes before air frying.
• For a Cajun-inspired variation, add a dash of smoked paprika.
• Don't overcrowd the tomatoes in the air fryer basket. Place them in a single layer to allow even cooking.
• You can store leftover roasted cherry tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze them for up to 6 months.

Air fryer cherry tomatoes with garlic

Ingredients:

• 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
• Cut the tomatoes in half and place them in a bowl.
• Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the bowl with the tomatoes. Toss until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
• Place the tomatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
• Air fry for 10 minutes.
• Remove the tomatoes from the air fryer and toss with chopped fresh basil (optional).
• Serve as a side dish, appetizer, or add to your favourite recipes like pasta, soups, dips, or salads.

Tips:

• You can use different types of tomatoes like Roma, grape, or plum tomatoes. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into smaller pieces or increase the cooking time.
• For extra juicy tomatoes, use an air fryer tray or basket without holes, or line the bottom of the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper.
• Don't overcrowd the tomatoes in the basket. Arrange them in a single layer to allow even cooking.
• You can add other spices like rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika for a Cajun-inspired dish.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.

Air fryer tomatoes as a side dish

Air fryer tomatoes make a great side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are versatile, tasty, and can be prepared in under 15 minutes. Here is a guide on how to make delicious air fryer tomatoes as a side dish.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Tomatoes (cherry, grape, Roma, plum, or large tomatoes)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Italian seasoning or dried herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, onion powder)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Balsamic vinegar, garlic, or other seasonings

Instructions

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/205°C. If your air fryer does not require preheating, skip this step.

Next, prepare the tomatoes. For large tomatoes, slice them into halves. For cherry or grape tomatoes, you can keep them whole. You may also want to give them a quick wash beforehand.

Place the tomatoes in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes, and toss to coat evenly.

Transfer the tomatoes to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer for even cooking. If desired, you can line the basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.

Air fry the tomatoes for about 10 minutes, depending on their size. For large tomatoes, you may need to cook them for a few minutes longer. There is no need to flip or touch the tomatoes during the cooking process.

Once they are done to your liking, remove the tomatoes from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer tomatoes make a delicious and healthy side dish. Here are some ideas on what to serve them with:

• Veggie breakfast: Serve with goat cheese, crusty bread, and a green salad.
• BBQ: Pair with sweet potato fries, onion rings, veggie burgers, and corn on the cob.
• Meat dishes: They go great with steak, or try them with sausage and chips, or chicken and chips.
• Pasta: Toss them with your favorite pasta and vegetables for a tasty and colorful dish.
• Dips: Enjoy them warm or cold as a topping for hummus or bruschetta.

Storage

Air fryer tomatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 6 months.

So, there you have it! A quick, easy, and tasty side dish that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy the juicy, Mediterranean flavors of air fryer tomatoes any time of the day.

Frequently asked questions