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    Home » VEGETABLES » Tomatoes

    How to Make Fire Roasted Tomatoes - 2 Easy Methods

    August 10, 2023 10 Comments

    Here are two easy ways to make your own fabulous fire roasted tomatoes at home. Both methods are incredibly easy to do, and need only some olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

    Use them to increase the umami of vegetarian or vegan dishes, or toss with some fresh herbs for a side dish.

    Jump to Recipe
    Fire roasted cherry tomatoes on a plate.

    Want to make this recipe perfectly the first time? I want to help with that. So, check out this Table of Contents to see which sections of this post will help you the most.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
    • 🔪 Recommended Equipment
    • 🎯 Why This Recipe Works
    • ⏰ Cooking Methods: Broiler and Air Fryer
    • 👩‍🍳 What are the best tomatoes to use for making fire roasted tomatoes
    • 💡Ideas for Possible Variations
    • 🧊 Can I Freeze Fire Roasted Tomatoes?
    • 🍽 Ways to Use Fire Roasted Tomatoes
    • Easy Fire Roasted Tomatoes

    This recipe for fire roasted tomatoes was inspired by these slower roasted balsamic roasted tomatoes that I add to pasta, grains, grilled cheese sandwiches and soups. They're packed with umami, a flavor that many vegetarians and vegans miss as they migrate away from meat.

    I've made these roasted tomatoes 2 different ways, and both work great. The only difference is that one method is a little faster than the other.

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Roasting brings out both the sweet and savory flavors of tomatoes. It intensifies everything.
    • Only 3 ingredients, not including salt, pepper and olive oil.
    • Super easy prepping and fast roast no matter which method you use.
    • Lots of ways to use them to amp up the umami flavor of dishes.

    🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes

    The secret to faster and easier meals often lies in the ingredients. For example, store-bought items and ingredients you make ahead and store in the refrigerator (or freezer) can turn a 60-minute recipe into a 30-minutes meal or less.

    For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.

    • Cherry tomatoes - you can use grape tomatoes, but the shape of the cherry tomatoes gets a more consistent char on the surface. Plum tomatoes (Roma tomatoes) also work great, but will need to roast longer.
    • Kosher salt - or sea salt
    • Ground black pepper
    • Sugar
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Balsamic vinegar

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products and foods I use in my kitchen. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To view my entire storefront of recommended kitchen tools and equipment, check out my shop on Amazon.

    🔪 Recommended Equipment

    Having the right equipment for recipes makes prepping soooo much easier. If you want more fuss-free prepping and cooking, check out my updated list of favorite kitchen tools and equipment.

    • Whisk
    • Serrated knife - any size will do for slicing the tomatoes.
    • Medium bowl - for tossing the tomatoes with olive oil and vinegar.
    • Baking sheet or air fryer - for roasting the tomatoes under the broiler or in an air fryer.

    🎯 Why This Recipe Works

    • The combination of super high heat with the natural sugars in the tomatoes, the added sugar and balsamic vinegar brings a beautiful char to the tomatoes.
    • The touch of sugar balances the acid in the tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
    • The char adds a deep savory flavor to the tomatoes.

    Sliced cherry tomatoes arranged in a baking tray.
    Sliced cherry tomatoes ready to be fire roasted.

    ⏰ Cooking Methods: Broiler and Air Fryer

    There are a couple of ways to making fire roasted tomatoes. Both methods work equally well, but the air fryer has a pre-heating time. The broiler does not. This is one of the few times that there's not a clear advantage to using the air fryer.

    Broiler Fire Roasted Tomatoes

    • Move the oven rack to the highest position in the oven.
    • Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. Toss in the sliced cherry tomatoes to thoroughly coat.
    • Arrange cut side up on a parchment sheet lined pan or baking sheet.
    • Roast under the broiler for 5 - 10 minutes. Check for the amount of char developing on the tomatoes. Roast longer if you want more char. The length of time is dependent on how close the tomatoes are to the flame source.

    Broiler Method Tips

    • I've roasted these in my standard oven and in my toaster oven. The toaster oven is a little faster.
    • Make sure the tomatoes are under a flame source. This is how they get the best char on the skins and surfaces.
    • Don't turn the tomatoes over half way through the roasting as you'll lose the beautiful juices and any pooling balsamic vinegar.

    Air Fryer Fire Roasted Tomatoes

    Pointing to holes punched into the parchment paper for air frying fire roasted tomatoes.
    I've circled a hole I created by using a skewer. I punched roughly 20 holes through the parchment paper.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F. If your air fryer tray is like a wire mesh, line the it with parchment paper.
    • Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. Toss in the sliced cherry tomatoes to thoroughly coat.
    • Arrange the tomatoes, cut side up, on the parchment sheet (if using) lined tray. Punch around 20 holes in the parchment paper around the tomatoes and any pooling liquid. I use a skewer to do this. This improves the air circulation around the tomatoes. (See above photo.)
    • Roast for 10 minutes. Check for the amount of char on the tomatoes, and roast longer if you want additional char.

    Air Fryer Method Tips

    • It's true that the parchment paper restricts air flow, but without the parchment paper, you lose much of the balsamic vinegar and some juices of the tomatoes. Using parchment paper, and punching holes through the paper once the tomatoes are arranged on it is a compromise.
    • You can turn the tomatoes over half way through the roasting, but I don't find it necessary.

    Fire roasted grape tomatoes on a parchment paper lined tray.
    You can fire roast grape tomatoes, as seen here, but I prefer using cherry tomatoes.

    👩‍🍳 What are the best tomatoes to use for making fire roasted tomatoes

    • I prefer cherry tomatoes for appetizer dishes and Campari tomatoes or plum tomatoes (Roma tomatoes) for side dishes and sauces.
    • Grape tomatoes are more oblong and slightly tapered, and the bottoms of tomatoes can char much more rapidly that the tops. They're also smaller, and there ends up being more skin than I like in the final dish.
    • Large regular tomatoes are fine, but can sometimes be too juicy. If they're too juicy, they won't char well.
    • Large heirlooms are not great candidates for fire roasted tomatoes. They are so juicy, they end up collapsing into their own juices without charring.
    • It's completely optional to remove the skins following roasting of any tomatoes larger than cherry tomatoes. I do not remove the skins of cherry tomatoes before serving.

    💡Ideas for Possible Variations

    • While the tomatoes are still warm from roasting, toss them in a bowl with fresh herbs such as oregano or basil.
    • If making the fire roasted tomatoes in advance of needing them, pack them in jars with a little olive oil and fresh Italian herbs.
    • If you like a little heat, sprinkle on a little dried red pepper flakes before tossing in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

    🧊 Can I Freeze Fire Roasted Tomatoes?

    Absolutely. Pack into an airtight container with a little olive oil, and freeze for up to 2 months.


    Fire roasted cherry tomatoes topped with a drizzle of olive oil, basil and feta cheese.

    🍽 Ways to Use Fire Roasted Tomatoes

    • Top fire roasted cherry tomatoes with thinly sliced fresh basil and crumbled feta cheese for a side dish. Or serve with crackers as a fire roasted tomato appetizer.
    • Use fire roasted cherry tomatoes as an appetizer on crackers with feta cheese and herbs.
    • Chop and add fire roasted tomatoes larger than cherry tomatoes to soups such as a roasted tomato soup or vegetable soups.
    • Fold into a risotto, like this charred tomato risotto.
    • Toss with pasta or a grains dish.
    • Add fire roasted tomatoes larger than cherry tomatoes to casseroles, especially a spaghetti casserole or lasagna.
    • Make your next grilled cheese sandwich with a layer of fire roasted tomatoes.
    • Chop fire roasted tomatoes larger than cherry tomatoes and add to any tomato sauce.
    • Combine with other vegetables such as roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach or roasted cauliflower.
    • Add to a black bean burger instead of a slice of raw tomato.

    Fire roasted cherry tomatoes on a plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 20 votes

    Easy Fire Roasted Tomatoes

    This describes two ways make fire roasted tomatoes in your own kitchen to use as a side dish, an appetizer, or add to soups, pasta, casseroles, and sauces.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer, ingredient, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Any
    Keyword: fire roasted tomatoes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 485kcal
    Author: The Wimpy Vegetarian

    Equipment

    • Whisk
    • Medium bowl
    • Serrated knife
    • baking sheet or Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds cherry tomatoes (4 cups when stemmed and sliced, or ~3 pints)
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (½ teaspoon sea salt)
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
    • fresh Italian herbs (optional)

    Instructions

    • Broiler Method: Move the oven rack to the highest level in the oven. Turn on the broiler and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
      Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F. If your air fryer tray is like a wire mesh, line the tray with parchment paper.
    • Both Methods: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half across their width.
      Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a medium bowl. Toss in the sliced cherry tomatoes to coat.
      Arrange the tomatoes, cut side facing up, on either the baking sheet or air fryer tray.
    • Air Fryer Method: If using parchment paper, puncture the paper around 20 times, avoiding the tomatoes and pooled liquid.
    • Broiler Method: Slide the baking sheet under the broiler so that the tomatoes are immediately under the flames. Broil for 5 - 10 minutes, or until charred to your preference.
      Air Fryer Method: Air fry the tomatoes for 10 minutes, or charred to your preference.
    • Both Methods: Cool for at least 5 minutes before serving, as the insides of the tomatoes will be very hot.
      Serve warm or at room temperature topped with freshly chopped herbs and feta cheese if desired. Or stack in a jar with a little olive and fresh Italian herbs of your choice.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup roasted | Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.9g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20.6g | Sodium: 2440.8mg | Potassium: 2063.5mg | Fiber: 6.6g | Sugar: 36.2g | Vitamin A: 4441.6IU | Vitamin C: 206.8mg | Calcium: 123.3mg | Iron: 6.9mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marta

      August 14, 2023 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I made these fire-roasted tomatoes using the air fryer method and it was so easy and the results were out of this world! You'd think I'd spent so much time roasting them over an open fire with the amount of smokiness I got on them.

      Reply
    2. sophie

      August 14, 2023 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      I always wanted to make fire roasted tomatoes, Now I know how!! Thank this recipe was so easy and tasty!

      Reply
    3. Lauren Michael Harris

      August 15, 2023 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      We have an abundance of tomatoes in our garden and I was running out of ideas of what to do with them! Made these fire roasted tomatoes and we LOVED them! I'm going to add some fresh mozzarella and garden basil next time we have them!

      Reply
    4. Bernice

      August 17, 2023 at 9:18 am

      Since I found this post during a heatwave, I'm waiting until next week to try it out. I'll pick up some Romas because mine aren't ready yet and roast a few trays for the winter. YUM

      Reply
    5. Veronika

      August 17, 2023 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love this simple yet delicious recipe! It was so easy to make and the flavors are amazing!

      Reply
    6. Tammy

      August 18, 2023 at 11:02 am

      Very simple and delicious! Great guide and tips!

      Reply
    7. Kristina

      August 20, 2023 at 3:38 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite ways to use up lots of tomatoes. I use the air fryer method in my oven air fryer and they take barely 10 minutes to be roasted to perfection.

      Reply
    8. Madelyn

      August 20, 2023 at 3:39 am

      5 stars
      Love this variation of roasted tomatoes. I usually make a double batch and freeze most of them, then pop them out of the freezer to put in dinners like pastas, casseroles, and even homemade breads. They really add a ton of flavor.

      Reply
    9. Erin

      August 20, 2023 at 6:20 am

      5 stars
      I would love to try these on some pasta! I've never actually roasted tomatoes but this post has me wanting to try. They look so easy!

      Reply
    10. Sean

      August 20, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      I love using fire roasted tomatoes during the summer when I make pasta dishes and this recipe was perfect.

      Reply

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