How to Dehydrate Cherry Tomatoes

This easy method will show you exactly how to dehydrate cherry tomatoes using a dehydrator or oven. Use dried cherry tomatoes in pasta salads, sandwiches, or even eat them as a snack! It’s the perfect way to use up an abundance of juicy, summer tomatoes. 

Dried cherry tomatoes

With all types of tomatoes and vegetables being abundant in the summer, it’s a shame if any had to go to waste! That’s why I love using my dehydrator. I get on dehydrating kicks and all of a sudden my house is filled with dried cantaloupe chips and fruit leather of every flavor!

Cherry tomatoes are especially useful when they’re dried because they add tons of flavor to pasta salads, fresh green salads, and sandwiches, and they make for a simple healthy snack.

For this recipe, you’ll need a food dehydrator which is basically a ventilated box that circulates dry heat in order to take the moisture out of whatever is inside the trays. The investment was worth it for us with our garden! Don’t have a food dehydrator? I also have instructions at the bottom of this post for oven drying!

More fun things you can do with tomatoes

• Make 3-Ingredient Tomato Paste
• Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes
• Grind some up for Tomato Powder
• Prepare a batch of Tomato Salsa
• Freeze Tomatoes for year-round use
• Make your own Diced Tomatoes and Fresh Tomato Soup

The best tomatoes for dehydrating

While you can dehydrate almost any tomato you desire, there are some that are better than others.

The best tomatoes for dehydrating are ones that are small and sweet. This is why I think cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are best suited for this method. They have a fairly small water content and are much sweeter tasting, which intensifies when the moisture is removed. 

Bigger tomatoes such as beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes contain a high water content. This means they’ll take a longer time to dehydrate and the flavor won’t be as concentrated. They’re best enjoyed when mixed with other flavors, like in a burger or sandwich.

How to dry cherry tomatoes with a dehydrator

The process of dehydrating cherry tomatoes is no sweat at all! You just slice them up and let them dry out for a perfectly sweet and tangy snack:

Wash your cherry tomatoes and cut them in half lengthwise. 

Place them on the dehydrating trays in a single layer. 

Dehydrate for 9 to 10 hours or until they’re completely dried out.

Can I dehydrate tomatoes without a dehydrator?

It takes a bit more work, but you can dehydrate tomatoes in the oven at 225ºF. Make sure to press out as much juice as possible beforehand and flip the tomatoes regularly until the desired consistency is reached. 

What to do with dehydrated tomatoes

• Snack: My favorite way to eat dehydrated tomatoes is the most simple: as a snack!
• Pasta: Add to any pasta dish.
• Sandwiches and Pizza: Add on top of pizza, sandwiches or flatbread.
• Salads: Makes a great chewy crunch for salad.

How to Store Dried Cherry Tomatoes

Store dried cherry tomatoes in an airtight container in a dark cabinet or pantry. They can be used for up to 6 months.

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