Easy Roasted Tomatoes (Oven & Air Fryer Recipe)

Easy roasted tomatoes made in the oven, air fryer, or even slow-roasted are sweet, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Fresh tomatoes tossed with olive oil, herbs, and spices caramelize into a jammy, concentrated bite that instantly elevates pasta, pizza, salads, toast, and more.

This simple recipe walks you through both oven roasted tomatoes and air fryer roasted tomatoes, plus tips for slow roasting if you want that sun-dried style. Whether you're after a quick weeknight side or a make-ahead vegetarian dish, these roasted tomatoes are a versatile favorite.

Roasted tomatoes are one of the quickest and easiest ways to transform fresh tomatoes into something truly flavorful.

Whether you make oven roasted tomatoes, air fryer roasted tomatoes, or even slow roasted tomatoes, they always turn out sweet, jammy, and delicious.

I especially love using roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted grape tomatoes in pasta, salads, and sandwiches, or blending them into a homemade tomato pesto that freezes beautifully.

Jump to:

• Why Roast Tomatoes?
• Best Tomatoes for Roasting
• Recipe Ingredients
• How To Roast Tomatoes (Stepwise Photos)
• Difference Between Quick Roasted and Slow Roasted Tomatoes
• Flavor Variations
• How to Use Roasted Tomatoes
• Storage Instructions
• Recipe Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• More Tomato Recipes
• Recipe Card

Why Roast Tomatoes?

If you haven't roasted tomatoes before, I highly recommend you try it, and here are a few reasons why you should.

• Concentrated flavor: Roasting tomatoes in the oven or air fryer intensifies their natural sweetness, caramelizes the edges for a rich, savory bite, and creates a rich, jammy texture.
• Versatile: This roasted tomato recipe is perfect for pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, soups, toast, or tomato sauce, whether you make slow-roasted or quick-roasted versions.
• Nutrient boost: Cooking enhances lycopene absorption, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health.
• Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch ahead, store in the fridge or freezer, and you've got an easy vegetarian side dish or flavor-packed addition to any meal.

Best Tomatoes for Roasting

When it comes to the best tomatoes for roasting, you can use almost any variety. Still, the type you choose will affect flavor, texture, and cooking time, whether you're making oven-roasted tomatoes or air fryer-roasted tomatoes.

Grape or Cherry tomatoes: I prefer roasting grape or cherry tomatoes. These are naturally sweet and juicy; they roast quickly and caramelize beautifully. Perfect for air-fried roasted tomatoes or a quick oven-roasted version.

Roma or Plum tomatoes: If you prefer something meaty with a rich, concentrated flavor, go for plum or Roma tomatoes. They have less water content and fewer seeds, making them ideal for slow-roasted oven tomatoes. You can cut them in half. and roast

Campari or cocktail tomatoes: these offer a sweet-tangy balance and roast well, halved or whole.

Heirloom tomatoes: In contrast, heirloom tomatoes bring bold flavor and vibrant color to any dish, especially when sliced and arranged on a platter.

No matter which variety you choose, choose ripe but firm tomatoes for the best texture, and adjust roasting time based on size and variety.

Recipe Ingredients

Tomatoes -  I've used grape tomatoes for this recipe, but you can also use cherry tomatoes. You can also use Roma, plum, or Campari tomatoes; adjust the spices and roasting time depending on size.

Dried herbs - I prefer using dried herbs (oregano and rosemary) for this recipe. Dried Oregano adds a classic Italian flavor, and rosemary brings a warm, woodsy aroma to the tomatoes, making them irresistible.

I don't recommend adding fresh herbs while roasting. Fresh herbs can burn at high heat, losing flavor and turning bitter if roasted too long. So it's best to add them after cooking for a bright, fresh finish.

Salt - enhances the tomatoes' natural sweetness and balances their acidity. Sea salt or kosher salt both work well.

Black pepper - Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper gives the best results.

Olive oil - toss the tomatoes with olive oil, which helps the tomatoes roast evenly and develop a rich, caramelized texture. Substitute with Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.

How To Roast Tomatoes (Stepwise Photos)

You can roast tomatoes in the oven or air fryer.

Preheat the oven to 425°F or the air fryer to 400°F.

1 to 4 - Prep the tomatoes - Rinse and pat dry grape or cherry tomatoes. You can leave them whole or cut them in half for faster roasting and more caramelization.

5 - Place tomatoes in a bowl (for air fryer) or directly on a baking tray (for oven).

6 - Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, ground black pepper, and dried herbs like oregano and rosemary.

7 - Toss to coat evenly.

8 - Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer, cut sides up (if halved), to minimize juice loss.

Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes for tender, juicy tomatoes or 25-30 minutes for a concentrated, jammy texture.

For Air fryer roasted tomatoes, cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even roasting.

Enjoy immediately or let cool before storing in an airtight container in the fridge.

This quick roasted tomato recipe turns out soft and juicy and is perfect for adding to pasta. If you prefer the shriveled ones, more like sundried tomatoes, try the slow-roasted tomatoes.

Difference Between Quick Roasted and Slow Roasted Tomatoes

Slow-roasted tomatoes at 275°F take 1-2 hours, developing an intensely sweet flavor with a chewy, sun-dried texture.

Quick roasted tomatoes at 425°F cook in just 15-30 minutes, yielding softer, juicier tomatoes with rich caramelized edges.

The choice comes down to your schedule and texture preference. Slow roasting delivers deep, concentrated sweetness, while quick roasting offers a fresh, roasted flavor in less time. Both are delicious, so pick the method that works best for you.

How to Use Roasted Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients you can make. Their concentrated flavor and soft, jammy texture add instant depth to countless dishes. Here are a few ways I like to use them:

• With pasta or risotto, add them to your favorite pasta to elevate the flavor, like the classic pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes, or I love adding it to my aglio e olio recipe to enhance the flavor.
• In salads - Add warm or chilled roasted cherry tomatoes to green salads, pasta salads, or grain bowls.
• On toast or bruschetta, add roasted tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes.
• As a pizza or flatbread topping - Use on homemade pizzas, like Tandoori naan pizza and Veggie Pita Pizza, for a flavorful twist. 
• In sandwiches and wraps - Layer into grilled cheese, veggie wraps, or paninis for a sweet-savory boost.
• Blended into soups, sauces, or dips - Puree into roasted tomato soup, tomato basil soup, marinara sauce, or a roasted tomato dip. I use them for making tomato pesto, and it tastes so delicious! 
• With eggs - Serve alongside scrambled eggs or sunny-side-up eggs, sausages, and hash browns for a hearty breakfast.
• As a side dish - serve warm with fresh herbs on its own or with fish or chicken, or chill for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight meals.
• On Foccasia - Bake onto homemade focaccia for a rustic, bakery-style loaf.

What's your favorite way to use roasted tomatoes? Let me know in the comments!

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Cool roasted tomatoes completely, store in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Bring to room temperature or reheat gently before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When frozen, the texture of these tomatoes can change (soften), so I recommend using them in cooked dishes like pasta, soups, or sauces. 
• Oil-Packed: You can also store these submerged in olive oil in a clean jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week. The flavored oil is great for drizzling over bread, salads, or grilled vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions 

More Tomato Recipes

Recipe Card

Update Notes: This post was originally published on Feb 19, 2013, but it was republished in September 2025 with step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video.