How to make Oven Dried Tomatoes
If you have a veggie patch like I have had in the past, you might find yourself overwhelmed with tomatoes and zucchini during harvest season. While fresh tomatoes are a treat, sometimes you want to switch things up a bit. One delicious and practical way to use up those extra tomatoes is by drying them to concentrate their flavour and extend their shelf (or bench) life. The best part? You can easily make a homemade version of sundried tomatoes right in your oven!
I eat tomatoes almost every day. Even though I grow them, I still purchase more because, well, I just can’t get enough of them! My favourite variety is the small Solanato from Woolworths. They’re crunchy, juicy, and so packed with flavour that they’ve become a lunchtime staple in my salads or wraps. This season, I plan to try growing some from seed; keep your fingers crossed for me. 😊
Why Oven-Dried Tomatoes are better than Sundried Tomatoes
Traditionally, sundried tomatoes were made by drying them under the sun, which can sometimes expose them to dust, insects, and other contaminants. Making oven-dried tomatoes at home today is a much more hygienic way of achieving that intense flavour without the risk of outside elements. Plus, you have complete control over the drying process, ensuring your tomatoes come out perfectly every time. I like being in control, do you? 🤣🤣🤣
Which Tomatoes Are Best for Drying?
For the best results, opt for Roma tomatoes. I usually grow them so I can roast or dry them. Their dense flesh and robust flavour make them perfect for drying. Their low moisture content means they’ll dry out more evenly and quickly than other varieties. However, you can use cherry tomatoes or even your favourite varieties like Solanato if you want a mix of flavours.
How to make Oven-Dried Tomatoes
Here’s how to make your own version of sundried tomatoes in the oven:
- Preparation: Start by cutting your Roma tomatoes in half lengthways. Place the cut tomatoes cut-side up on a cooling rack over an oven tray. This allows air to circulate underneath, ensuring even drying.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with salt. For added flavour, you can also sprinkle them with your favourite herbs, like oregano, thyme, or basil or my herb blend.
- Drying: Preheat your oven to the lowest possible setting. Dry the tomatoes for:
- Semi-Dried: 3–6 hours, until they feel dry but still have a little moisture.
- Fully Dried: 8-15 hours, until they feel dry and leathery to the touch.
- Storage: Once cooled, pack the dried tomatoes into hot, sterilized jars. Pour good-quality olive oil over them to completely cover the tomatoes. Store semi-dried tomatoes in the fridge for 1–2 weeks, or if they’re dried a little further, they can last up to a month.
If you have a food dehydrator, you can use that instead for more consistent results. The dehydrator will allow you to dry the tomatoes at a controlled temperature, ensuring you get the perfect texture every time. Drying them out completely is great for adding to slow-cooked meals or a bolognese sauce to add intense flavour as they rehydrate.
Tips for Extending Shelf Life
- Oil Quality: When storing your tomatoes, use high-quality olive oil or oil that has no flavour and doesn’t go cloudy in the fridge. This enhances the taste and helps preserve them longer if you keep them submerged in the oil and don’t contaminate the contents using dirty spoons.
- Sterilize Jars: Proper sterilizing your jars is crucial to prevent bacteria growth. Wash jars in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and then heat in the oven at 120°C (250°F) for 15 minutes. You can use your dishwasher to sterilise your jars, but make sure the dishwasher is clean, and the water must get really hot.
- Experiment with Herbs: Fresh garlic, rosemary, or even chilli flakes can be added to the jars for a more complex flavour profile. However, remember that fresh herbs will go off faster than dried ones. Please make sure you’ve washed your fresh herbs really well and dried them with a paper towel or a salad spinner.
Other ways to use Excess Tomatoes
If you’ve already made your oven-dried tomatoes and still have some leftovers, why not try making my Tomato BBQ sauce? It’s a big hit at my cooking school and is another fantastic way to use up those extra tomatoes and preserve them for longer. You’ll be amazed at the depth of flavour homemade sauces can bring to your dishes!
Frequently asked Questions
If semi-dried and stored in olive oil, oven-dried tomatoes can last 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Fully dried tomatoes, when completely submerged in oil, can last up to a month. Sterilized jars and high-quality oil are crucial to extending their shelf life.
Yes, you can use other varieties like cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or even larger ones like beefsteak. However, keep in mind that high-moisture varieties will take longer to dry. Roma tomatoes are ideal because of their dense flesh and low moisture content, which allows them to dry more evenly and quickly. I wouldn’t pick tomatoes that had lots of juice and seeds. 😊
Removing the seeds is optional and depends on your personal preference. Some people prefer to remove the seeds to reduce moisture and speed up the drying process, while others like to keep them. If you’re using small varieties like cherry or grape tomatoes, leaving the seeds in is easier. Some even chose to remove the skin. Removing the skin can be easy; it involves scoring the tomatoes with a small “X” at the bottom, blanching them briefly in boiling water, and then transferring them to ice water to loosen the skin for easy peeling. Once peeled, the tomatoes are cut in half, and the process can be followed as above. 😊
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What is the ideal oven temperature. You said lowest possible setting but my new oven goes down to 40°C. I’m sure that would be way too low. Please advise. Thanks.
Hi Diana,
40°C is fine. Mine is about that temperature as well. You’re just looking to dry them out not cook them. But it does depend on how long you want to do it for. If you want to do it faster up to 80°C is ok too. As I say, you don’t want to cook them or brown them; you want to dry them out.