Roasted Cherry Tomatoes are my new favorite topping! I’m adding them to toast, sandwiches, cottage cheese, pasta, bowls, and anything else I can think of.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes on a sheet pan with a spatula lifting a portion.
chelsea

Author’s Notes

Snack of the Summer, No Notes!

WOW! I don’t even know where to start with this one, it’s that good. I’ve been making these tomatoes over and over and adding them to everything I can think of: toast, sandwiches, bowls of cottage cheese, with pesto, or just straight from the pan. Yes, really, I’m loving these!

My current obsession? Buttered bread, toasted in a pan until crisp, then topped with these soft tomatoes and a spoonful of the pan juices. Add some Parm and fresh basil…SO good. I want it all the time!

These tomatoes are bursting with flavor, totally addictive, and hands-down my favorite way to use up all those gorgeous summer cherry tomatoes.

signature
All the ingredients in this recipe prepped for easy assembly, including sugar, seasonings, tomatoes, olive oil, and vinegar.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Ingredients

IngredientWhat It Does
Cherry tomatoesUse sweet, ripe tomatoes for best flavor. Slicing helps them roast evenly and caramelize nicely.
Olive oilChoose a good-quality oil (extra virgin) for the best results.
Balsamic vinegarAdds depth and a slightly sweet tang to balance the flavors.
Garlic powder or smashed garlic clovesGarlic powder blends in nicely, while smashed cloves give a stronger garlic flavor.
SugarBrings out the tomatoes’ sweetness and helps them slightly caramelize in the oven.
Salt & PepperPulls out moisture and makes all the flavors stronger.
All the cherry tomatoes seasoned and coated in oil, ready to roast for the perfect roasted cherry tomatoes.

Ways to Use Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

There are endless ways to use these. Here are a few favorites:

  • On buttered wheat or multi-grain toast with freshly grated Parm and extra basil
  • Over burrata with an extra drizzle of oil and spoonfuls of fresh pesto
  • In grain bowls or pasta salads
  • Added on top of scrambled eggs or into frittatas
  • As a pizza or flatbread topping
  • Spooned over grilled chicken or fish
  • Mixed into cottage cheese or ricotta
  • Mashed up a bit and used as a sandwich spread
  • Tossed with hot pasta and reserved pasta cooking water

They make everything taste better and look like you put in way more effort than you actually did!

The tomatoes on toast for a yummy bruschetta inspired snack.

Best Tomatoes to Use

Look for ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes with no bruising or cracks. Different colors (yellow, orange, dark red) are all delicious!

Storage

Leftover Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?

  • Fridge: Store in a sealed container up to 5 days. Add a little olive oil to keep them juicy.
  • Freezer: Freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Store up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Serve cold, at room temp, or warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.

More Tomato Recipes:

No ratings yet

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes bring major flavor thanks to high-heat roasting with oil and balsamic, then a fresh basil finish.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

  • Rimmed sheet pan plus parchment paper

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cherry tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise (2 pints)
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil good-quality!
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil optional
  • Serving suggestions see note 1

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • Toss tomatoes directly on the prepared pan with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder or smashed garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix until evenly coated.
  • Spread tomatoes in a single layer, cut side up as much as possible. Roast for 18–22 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until skins are blistered and tomatoes look jammy.
  • Cool slightly to room temperature. Taste and adjust salt, then toss with fresh basil if using. These are best served at room temp and added to your favorite dishes; see note 1 for ideas.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Try these on buttered toast with parmesan and basil, over burrata with pesto, in grain bowls or pasta, over cottage cheese with a drizzle of balsamic reduction, or with eggs. They’re also great on pizza, sandwiches, or stirred into hot pasta.
Storage: Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, spread cooled tomatoes on a lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Enjoy cold, at room temp, or gently warmed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 952IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Variations

Flavor Boosters

Try some of these flavor variations next time:

  • Red pepper flakes for heat
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary
  • Pinch of regular or smoked paprika

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes FAQs

Can I Use Grape Tomatoes Instead Of Cherry Tomatoes?

Yes! Grape tomatoes work too. They’re usually a bit firmer and slightly sweeter but roast beautifully.

Should I Slice Tomatoes Or Leave Them Whole?

For a quicker roast and better caramelization, slice them in half. If you prefer a juicier interior or are slow-roasting, you can leave them whole.

Can I Roast Other Types Of Tomatoes With This Recipe?

You can, but smaller varieties work best. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into smaller chunks and keep an eye on roasting time.

What Herbs Work Besides Basil?

Fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano are all great options. Add heartier herbs before roasting and delicate ones like basil after roasting.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

More Recipes You'll Love

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating