How to Make Fire Roasted Tomatoes - 2 Easy Methods

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

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.

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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.

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🎯 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.

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⏰ 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

• 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.

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👩‍🍳 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.

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💡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.
• Instead of fire-roasting in the oven or air fryer, sauté them on the stovetop like this Crispy Tofu with Balsamic Tomatoes recipe. The crispy tofu is a win!

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🧊 Can I Freeze Fire Roasted Tomatoes?

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

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🍽 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.
• 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.

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