These Air Fryer Sun Dried Tomatoes are sweet, tangy, and packed with flavor — no sun required! They’re super easy to make and come out perfectly chewy in just a fraction of the time it takes to dry them the old-fashioned way. Add them to pastas, salads, sandwiches, or enjoy them straight from the jar!
Air Fryer Sun Dried Tomatoes
Skip the long wait and learn how to make sun dried tomatoes in the air fryer! This method is fast, simple, and brings out all the sweet and tangy, concentrated flavor you love, without needing hours in the oven or days of sun-drying.
Sun dried tomatoes are just ripe tomatoes that have had most of their moisture removed, giving them that intense, sweet-tart flavor. They’re often used in Mediterranean dishes like salads, pastas, sandwiches, and pizza — but honestly, they’re good in just about everything.
Most people think of fried food when it comes to air fryers, but they can do so much more. You can roast, bake, and yes, even dehydrate tomatoes in the air fryer. This recipe is a great example of just how versatile your air fryer can be. The process of dehydrating tomatoes in an air fryer brings out all that rich, concentrated flavor — and it’s done in under an hour.
If you’re looking for even more Air Fryer Tomato Recipes, don’t miss my AIR FRYER TOMATO GALETTE, AIR FRYER ROASTED ROMA TOMATOES, AIR FRYER TOMATO SOUP, AIR FRYER TOMATO PIE, and AIR FRYER ROASTED POTATOES AND TOMATOES!
Why You’ll Love Sun Dried Tomatoes in Air Fryer
- Just 4 ingredients!
- Quick & easy
- No sun required
- Packed with flavor
- Versatile
- Healthy snack
Ingredients Needed to Dehydrate Tomatoes in Air Fryer
Making air fryer sun dried tomatoes requires just a handful of simple ingredients, and chances are, you already have most of them in your pantry. If not, you’ll find everything you need in the shopping list below!
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as nutritional information, keep scrolling until you reach the bottom, where you will find a printable recipe card.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These small, juicy tomatoes are perfect for dehydrating thanks to their natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.
- Olive Oil: Helps the tomatoes roast evenly in the air fryer while enhancing their rich taste.
- Kosher Salt: Adds essential seasoning and draws out moisture to help with the drying process.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spice that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes.
How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes in Air Fryer
Below, you’ll find easy step-by-step instructions for how to make sun dried tomatoes in the air fryer — no drying rack needed!
Step 1: Prepare the tomatoes
Using a sharp knife, cut each tomato in half. Add them to a mixing bowl, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the tomatoes are well coated.
Step 2: Place in air fryer basket
Arrange the seasoned tomatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s okay if a few overlap, but try not to overcrowd them.
Step 3: Air fry
Set your air fryer to 240 degrees F and cook the tomatoes for 40-45 minutes. Give the basket a shake every 10-15 minutes to help them dry evenly.
Serving Suggestions for Sun Dried Tomatoes in Air Fryer
- Pasta Dishes: Stir into pasta salads, creamy sauces like carbonara, or even a classic pesto.
- Sandwiches & Wraps: Add a pop of tangy flavor to your favorite wraps, paninis, or deli-style sandwiches.
- Pizzas: Use as a topping with ingredients like olives, mushrooms, or goat cheese.
- Appetizers: Serve on bruschetta, crostini, or an antipasti platter.
- Sauces: Blend them into your pasta, chicken, or fish sauces for a rich, flavorful taste.
- Salads: Toss them into any salad for a little sweetness and color — they make even a plain green salad taste special.
- Omelets: Fold them into omelets or egg bakes for a savory, Mediterranean-inspired breakfast that’s quick and satisfying.
- Dips: Stir them into dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, or spinach dip. They make a great alternative to tomato paste for a deeper, tangy flavor!
Dehydrating Tomatoes in Air Fryer Pro Tips
- Use Ripe Tomatoes: For the best results when learning how to make sun dried tomatoes in the air fryer, starting with ripe, firm cherry tomatoes makes all the difference. Overripe ones can get mushy, and underripe ones might not have much flavor.
- Cut Evenly: Halving the tomatoes uniformly helps them dry at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some chewy and others burnt.
- Shake Often: Give the basket a good shake every 10-15 minutes to make sure the tomatoes cook evenly and don’t stick together.
- Customize the Seasoning: Add garlic powder, Italian herbs, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Cool Before Storing: The tomatoes will continue to dry slightly as they cool. Letting them rest helps lock in their chewy texture.
- Check Doneness: Air fryers can vary, so start checking around the 35-minute mark. They’re done when they look shriveled but still a little soft.
Air Fryer Sun Dried Tomatoes FAQs
Absolutely! Just prep the tomatoes as you would for the air fryer, then bake them in a preheated oven at 250 degrees F. Let them dehydrate for 2-3 hours, flipping them occasionally to ensure even drying.
They can be stored in a glass jar or an airtight container with olive oil in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for 2-3 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Removing the seeds isn’t necessary. That said, seeded tomatoes may take a bit longer to dry, so it’s totally up to you.
Extra-virgin olive oil is my go-to for a classic Mediterranean flavor, but avocado oil or even a light coating of cooking spray will work too.
Not in this case! These are stored in oil, so there’s no need to rehydrate them. You only need to soak dry-packed sun dried tomatoes before using.
Yes, you can use grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes, but they may require slightly different cooking times.
Absolutely! Feel free to add dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme before air frying.
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Air Fryer Sun Dried Tomatoes
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by cutting the tomatoes (cherry) in half, and then add the olive oil and salt, and mix well. Coating all of the tomatoes.
- Toss them into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 240 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 40-45 minutes. Shake the basket frequently.
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
- Cooking Spray
Notes
Nutrition
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