Oven Semi-Dried Cherry Tomatoes
Woooow these tomatoes are sweet and full of flavour! I’ve never been a huge fan of the fully sun-dried ones—too chewy for me—but these oven semi-dried cherry tomatoes? Absolutely next level. They’re intensely flavourful, slightly chewy but still juicy, and taste like concentrated little summer bombs. And the best part? You don’t need a dehydrator or fancy equipment—just your oven, some patience, and a big tray of cherry tomatoes.
I like to make a big batch whenever I see good-quality cherry tomatoes on offer. Just halve them, season with salt, a touch of sugar, and maybe some herbs, then let the oven do its magic low and slow. After a few hours, you’ll be left with ruby-red jewels that are perfect for tossing through pasta, topping on sourdough with ricotta, adding to grain bowls, or even just snacking straight from the jar. Trust me, once you’ve made these, you’ll want a jar of them in your fridge at all times.
Oven semi-dried cherry tomatoes are also great for preserving summer flavours into the cooler months. Just store them in olive oil in a sterilised jar in the fridge and enjoy their intense sweetness all week long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Incredible Flavour – Concentrated, sweet, tangy tomatoes with a delicious chewy bite.
✔️ Minimal Effort – Just a few ingredients and the oven does all the work.
✔️ Perfect for Meal Prep – Make a big batch and enjoy them all week.
✔️ Versatile Use – Great in pasta, salads, sandwiches, and antipasti boards.
✔️ No Fancy Equipment Needed – Just a tray, an oven, and some patience.
FAQs
How long do oven semi-dried cherry tomatoes last?
Stored in a sterilised jar, covered in olive oil, they’ll keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge (probably longer though).
Can I freeze them?
Yes! Lay them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Do I have to use cherry tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes work great for their natural sweetness, but plum tomatoes (quartered) can also be used.
Can I add herbs or garlic?
Absolutely. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, or sliced garlic can add beautiful flavour as they roast.
What temperature should I use?
Bake them low and slow at around 100–120°C for 2–3 hours, depending on your desired texture.
Oven Semi-Dried Cherry Tomatoes
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...Ingredients
- ± 500 g mixed cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 sprigs thyme
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 100 C.
Cut your tomatoes in half place cut side up.
Season with plenty of salt and some herbs if you like. I wanted to keep them pretty simple so only added a few leaves of thyme.
Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and place in oven.
How long you need depends on how big your tomatoes are. Mine took about 2.5 hours.
Store in an airtight jar topped off with good quality olive oil.
It will keep for 3-4 months in the fridge, the oil will solidify and turn white in the fridge but will turn to normal as soon as it's at room temperature.
