How to Make Roasted Tomatoes in the Air Fryer
Air fryer Roma tomatoes are juicy, slightly charred, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make. In just about 11 minutes, the tomatoes become soft and concentrated with crispy edges that almost taste like pizza. They’re perfect as a quick side dish, added to sandwiches or salads, served with eggs, or honestly just eaten straight from the air fryer as a snack. If you have extra tomatoes sitting on the counter, this is one of the best ways to use them.
I originally started making roasted tomatoes in the oven years ago, but they took so long that I rarely wanted to make them unless I had a lot of extra time. Once I tried them in the air fryer, I never looked back. Recipes like this are exactly why I love the air fryer so much. It takes something that usually feels a little fussy and turns it into an easy side dish with almost no effort or cleanup. And when I’m dealing with cooking burnout, having simple vegetable recipes that still feel flavorful and exciting makes a huge difference.
If you’re looking for more easy vegetable side dishes, you might also love my air fryer frozen broccoli, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower, air fryer frozen asparagus, or Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad. These are the kinds of low-effort veggie recipes I lean on constantly during busy weeks.
Best Tomatoes for Air Fryer Tomatoes
Roma or San Marzano tomatoes work best for this recipe because they have fewer seeds and a meatier texture that roasts really well in the air fryer.
Cherry or grape tomatoes also work great and are especially easy since they need very little prep, though they tend to burst while cooking and won’t hold the seasoning quite as well.
You can also use Campari tomatoes or large slicing tomatoes. Just know that tomatoes with more seeds will be a little juicier, and larger tomatoes should be cut into slices so they cook evenly.hat are the best tomatoes to use
Step by step instructions
Cut the tomatoes into quarters and place in the air fryer basket. Spray with avocado oil or olive oil and add a mixture of italian seasoning, salt and garlic powder over the tomoates. Cook at 390F for 11 minutes. Enjoy hot or room temperature.
Tips for success
- Using an oven-style air fryer? – Place the tomatoes on a wire rack set over a baking sheet so the juices can drip down without making a mess.
- Protect your air fryer basket – If using a basket-style air fryer, silicone-tip tongs are helpful for removing the tomatoes without scratching the coating.
Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 medium tomatoes - roma or san marzano are best
- avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil spray
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut the tomatoes in quarters but first cutting them in half lengthwise then cutting them in half again lengthwise. Add the tomatoes to the air fryer skin side down.4 medium tomatoes
- Spray the tomatoes with avocado oil/extra virgin olive oil. Combine the italian seasoning, salt and garlic powder and sprinkle it over the tomatoes.avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil spray, ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Cook in the air fryer at 390F for 11 minutes.
- Serve hot. You may need to sprinkle with salt.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Cut tomatoes based on size – Roma tomatoes can be quartered, while larger slicing tomatoes should be cut into slices so they cook evenly.
- Arrange in a single layer – Spread the tomatoes out as much as possible so they roast instead of steam.
- No need to preheat most air fryers – Unless your specific air fryer requires preheating, you can start cooking right away.
- Cook in batches if doubling – Overcrowding the basket will cause the tomatoes to steam instead of getting roasted and slightly charred.
Nutrition Information
Easy Ways to Use Air Fryer Tomatoes
- Drizzle with olive oil and serve with crusty bread or crackers
- Serve with fresh basil and goat cheese or mozzarella
- Add to pasta salads or green salads
- Toss into warm pasta dishes
- Use as a pizza topping
- Crush slightly and use like a quick tomato sauce
Common questions
Do I need to deseed the tomatoes?
No, it’s not necessary. I leave the seeds in because they help keep the tomatoes juicy and prevent them from drying out too much in the air fryer. If you prefer seedless tomatoes, you can scoop the seeds out after roasting.
Do I have to peel the tomatoes?
No peeling required! Just rinse, dry, and slice before adding them to the air fryer.
Does this make sundried tomatoes?
No. This method makes roasted tomatoes that are juicy and slightly caramelized. Sun-dried tomatoes are dehydrated for a much longer period of time, which gives them a much drier texture and concentrated flavor.
