Using a dehydrator, learn how to make homemade dried tomatoes with this easy-to-follow recipe. Capture the rich, intense flavor of sun dried tomatoes in the comfort of your kitchen. Forget about the hassle of drying tomatoes in the oven; this method ensures perfectly dry tomatoes, almost like sun-dried tomatoes.
It’s the best snack you can have. I constantly pinch from our mason jar because the taste is out of this world. Not to mention how great they are for charcuterie boards, cooking pasta, or anything you can imagine.
Sprinkle on top of your homemade pizza as an additional savory treat. Add it to a simple salad dish like a tabouleh salad and taco salad bowl as it adds rich flavor coming from the fresh-dried tomatoes.
Why You Will Love This Tomato Recipe
Dried tomatoes are a game-changer for your kitchen. Their rich, intense flavor adds a burst to your meals, making them a perfect ingredient for various recipes.
- Intense Flavor – Drying tomatoes intensifies their natural sweetness, creating a concentrated burst of umami in every bite.
- Versatility – These little gems are a culinary chameleon, enhancing salads, pastas, pizzas, and more.
- Year-Round Goodness – Enjoy the taste of summer, even in the depths of winter, by preserving the vibrant flavors of fresh tomatoes.
Why Dehydrator?
Using a dehydrator is the best for me for drying foods. It lets you control the drying process so that our tomatoes dry evenly without burning or losing their natural flavor. Unlike drying in the sun, you can dry indoors at home. You do not need to rely on the weather, and it is not just for sunny days. Rain or shine, it can do its job.
How To Make Dry Tomatoes In The Dehydrator
Let me walk you through the step-by-step process of drying your tomatoes at home for various dishes and salad recipes. This process is also an excellent way to preserve and make more use of those tomatoes sitting in your kitchen pantry.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
- Dehydrator: A reliable dehydrator will be the star of making this recipe. Look for a model with adjustable temperature settings to control the drying process.
- Oil Spray Bottle: This gadget is what you can use for putting olive oil on the trays before the tomato slices. It can also minimize excess oil, keeping your dried tomatoes perfectly balanced.
- Kitchen Brush: Use it to spread the olive oil on the dehydrator trays for even layering.
Ingredients Needed:
- Fresh Tomatoes: Opt for ripe, firm tomatoes. San Marzano or Roma tomato varieties work well due to their low moisture content. Campari tomatoes are also perfect for this recipe.
- Olive Oil: Choose a quality olive oil or an extra virgin olive oil, as you will only use it to prevent the tomatoes from sticking.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW DRIED TOMATOES ARE DONE
First Step: Prepare The Tomatoes
Prepare your tomatoes by washing them first. After drying them, cut the tomatoes in half and cut side into uniform smaller tomato pieces about 1/4 inch thick.
If you have larger tomatoes, how you slice them is up to you, but you might want to cut them the same way. You can use any tomatoes you wish to.
Second Step: Spray Some Olive Oil
As you have seen on my other dehydrated food blogs, I use a plastic insert silicone when dehydrating to prevent any falling ingredients from the trays. I used a plastic insert on the trays before spraying over a small amount of olive oil. It will prevent the tomatoes from sticking to the surface.
Third Step: Layer
Arrange the tomato slices on the trays, ensuring each won’t overlap. Placing the slices correctly and with spaces from each other is vital so they will dry evenly. Close the lid, and they are ready to dry.
This is also the step where you can season your sliced tomatoes with dried herbs or any seasoning you choose. It is a good idea if you are planning to use your dried tomatoes for specific recipes.
Fourth Step: Dehydrate
Once the tomatoes are assembled, set your dehydrator to 135° Fahrenheit or 57° Celsius and let the tomatoes dry for 8-12 hours max.
When the tomatoes are dehydrated, they should look like leathery slices with no moisture after drying. Place them on a baking sheet at room temperature for easy cooling.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Slice evenly – consistent thickness ensures even drying, preventing some pieces from becoming overly crispy while others remain chewy.
- Cherry tomatoes – using cherry tomatoes can also be a good idea for drying as they are known for their sweeter taste. It is also a must-try. Small types of tomatoes are just like grape tomatoes.
- Season – whenever you prefer, you can season your dried tomatoes and experiment with their flavor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What To Serve With Dried Tomatoes?
Serve it with your favorite marinara pasta powered by tomato-flavored marinara sauce for a more flavorful kick coming from the tomatoes. It is also the best for sprinkling over pasta sauces like bolognese sauce to give a rich flavor to this low-carb spaghetti.
Using your own for recipes like sun-dried tomato quiche, is just out of this world.
You can also make your own herbs mixture by crushing our tomatoes into a tomato powder mixed with dried garlic, onion, mushrooms, and some dehydrated broccoli.
Drying Tomatoes In The Oven Method
As we all know, drying food in the easy oven method is perfectly okay. Sometimes, we go for the easier way, and in this recipe, sure, you can make oven dried tomatoes with almost the same steps as the two other ways.
Set your oven to the lowest temperature to prevent burning. If your oven doesn’t go that low, you can place a thick wooden spoon between oven door and let it slightly open. This will lower your overal temperature.
Tomatoes In Olive Oil
Once your dried tomatoes are ready, you can prepare one of my favorite ways to preserve and enjoy different flavors. Fill up your jar with dried tomatoes and pour olive oil, ensuring all is submerged. Close the lid and store.
Enjoy as a topping on your bread, pasta, charcuterie board, and more.
Making Sun Dried Tomatoes Process
You can, of course, opt for a natural way and dry tomatoes in the sun under the sky. The process of making sun dried tomatoes is pretty straightforward. I did The exact method: you need to find the ripest juicy tomatoes and wash them before slicing. Pick a shaded part in your garden and wait for nature to work itself.
Making sun-dried tomatoes is like taking those little slices on a sunbathing. When using this method, you must flip and check the tomatoes every few hours to ensure they dry. It takes days, and you must be patient to get the best result.
Where To Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
There are many recipes and dishes where you can use sun dried tomatoes. They are dried the same way as any other process available and are perfect for any savory recipe or even for stuffing poultry or fish. Incorporating these sun-dried tomatoes into omelets and scrambled eggs for breakfast is also a good idea.
How Long Is The Process Of Making Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Depending on how thick you sliced the tomatoes, it takes up to a few days, 2 to 3 days. It is longer than the rest of the drying methods out there.
How Do I Store Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Once your tomatoes are dried, store them in an airtight container or jar, but let them cool before storing them. Store the container in a cool, dark place. Find the perfect spot in your pantry where they can chill out away from sunlight.
Freezing dry tomatoes is not the typical method for preserving them, but you can do it safely by placing the tomatoes in a freezer bag so no moisture can go inside the bag, which can change the flavor of the tomatoes.
My Favorite Tomato Recipes
Take advantage of more of our tomato recipes here on our site. If you enjoyed this recipe, I assure you that you will enjoy more of our creative recipes.
If you are looking for a different tomato dish, these savory stuffed tomatoes are perfect. Serve this tomato mozzarella chicken casserole as a dinner or the main dish on any occasion, or try our gnocchi tomato basil if you are craving an Italian dish. There is no need to worry when you are freezing in winter, as this tomato soup will save you.
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How To Make Dried Tomatoes Using Dehydrator
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Sliced Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
Video
Instructions
- Prepare your tomatoes by washing them first. After drying them, cut the tomatoes in half and cut side into uniform smaller tomato pieces about 1/4 inch thick.
- As you have seen on my other dehydrated food blogs, I use a plastic insert silicone when dehydrating to prevent any falling ingredients from the trays. I used a plastic insert on the trays before spraying over a small amount of olive oil. It will prevent the tomatoes from sticking to the surface.
- Arrange the tomato slices on the trays, ensuring each won't overlap. Placing the slices correctly and with spaces from each other is vital so they will dry evenly. Close the lid, and they are ready to dry. This is also the step where you can season your sliced tomatoes with dried herbs or any seasoning you choose.
- Once the tomatoes are assembled, set your dehydrator to 135° Fahrenheit or 57° Celsius and let the tomatoes dry for 8-12 hours max. When the tomatoes are dehydrated, they should look like leathery slices with no moisture after drying. Place them on a baking sheet at room temperature for easy cooling.
Notes
- Slice evenly – consistent thickness ensures even drying, preventing some pieces from becoming overly crispy while others remain chewy.
- Cherry tomatoes – using cherry tomatoes can also be a good idea for drying as they are known for their sweeter taste. It is also a must-try. Small types of tomatoes are just like grape tomatoes.
- Season – whenever you prefer, you can season your dried tomatoes and experiment with their flavor.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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I tried your method for drying the tomatoes in the oven and it worked great, using the Roma tomatoes. You are right they are packed with flavor and make a great snack. I froze a bunch to use later.
I eat them as a snack all the time.