Use your air fryer to make these air fryer sun dried tomatoes in half the time of the oven. An excellent way to turn your summer tomatoes into a delicious savory treat. Enjoy homemade sun-dried tomatoes with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
I was so delighted with the results of making these in an air fryer as I was experimenting with this process. Decent sun dried tomatoes are not easily available where we live and the only two sources I have are now at the other side of the island. So, I looked into making my own but the idea of having the oven on in this heat for hours, let alone the cost of the gas did not thrill me. My air fryer made a polite cough from it's place on the kitchen counter so I gave it a try.
Turning plain store-bought tomatoes into a tasty treat was an air fryer wonder! They smelt great whilst cooking too. I will now be making batches of these little tasty morsels to start stock piling for winter!
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Are Sun Dried Tomatoes Keto Friendly?
Sun-dried tomatoes can be keto-friendly, but they should be consumed in moderation. A small portion, such as 1-2 tablespoons, usually contains around 3-5 grams of net carbs, making it possible to include in a keto diet as long as you watch your overall carb intake for the day.
What Type of Tomatoes Can Be Used?
Sun-dried tomatoes are typically made from small, flavorful tomato varieties that have a dense flesh and low water content. The most commonly used types include:
- Roma (Plum) Tomatoes:
- These are the most popular choice for sun-dried tomatoes due to their firm texture, low moisture content, and rich flavor.
- Roma tomatoes have fewer seeds and a meatier consistency, making them ideal for drying.
- San Marzano Tomatoes:
- These Italian tomatoes are similar to Roma tomatoes but are often preferred for their sweeter and more intense flavor.
- They are considered a premium choice for sun-drying, especially in Italy.
- Cherry Tomatoes:
- Cherry tomatoes can also be used to make sun-dried tomatoes.
- They are smaller and dry faster, resulting in a more concentrated sweetness. These are often used in gourmet preparations.
- Grape Tomatoes:
- Grape tomatoes are slightly smaller than cherry tomatoes and also work well for sun-drying.
- They have a firmer texture and are less juicy, making them ideal for drying.
Each of these tomato types will yield slightly different flavors and textures, but all are suitable for making sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
This is a simple recipe with tomatoes and seasoning.
- Tomatoes - select ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Olive oil - use a good quality oil
- Italian seasoning - basil, oregano and garlic powder can be used too.
- Salt - sea salt or kosher salt.
How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes in Air Fryer
Making sun dried tomatoes in the air fryer is easy with a reduced drying process.
Halve the tomatoes.
Season and place in the air fryer.
Cook on both sides.
Ready to enjoy!
How to Store Homemade Sun Dried Tomatoes
Once you have made your homemade sun dried tomatoes, you can store them in a few different ways:
- In Olive Oil: Place cooled tomatoes in a sterilized glass jar, cover with olive oil, and store in the fridge for up to 6 months. We add garlic slices and fresh herbs for extra flavor.
- Without Oil: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 6-9 months. Store in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 1 year.
- Vacuum Sealing: Vacuum seal for up to 1 year at room temperature, longer if refrigerated or frozen.
Making Sun Dried Tomatoes in the Oven
If you don't have an air fryer but have a surplus of summer tomatoes, you can make this recipe in the oven or try the traditional method of drying in the sun. To dry in the oven, place the halved and seasoned tomatoes on a tray and cook at 75C/170F degrees for at least 6 hours.
To dry in the sun, place the tray of tomatoes in a sunny, well-ventilated area. Cover it with a fine mesh or cheesecloth to protect from insects. Turn the tomatoes every couple of days to ensure even drying. This method can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks depending on the weather. The tomatoes should be leathery and not juicy when done.
Recipes Using Sun Dried Tomatoes
These are a few recipes using sun dried tomatoes you may enjoy:
Air Fryer Sun Dried Tomatoes
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Ingredients
- 3 lbs Ripe Plum (Roma) Tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to around 140-160°F (60-70°C). If your air fryer doesn’t go that low, set it to the lowest possible temperature.
- Rinse the tomatoes thoroughly under cool water and pat them dry.
- Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise. For larger tomatoes, you can quarter them.
- Lightly drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and Italian seasoning.
- Place the tomatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Air fry for 45 minutes then turn the tomatoes over and cook for a further 45minutes. Flip the tomatoes back and cook for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are dried and chewy.
- Allow to cool before use.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
