Oven Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 12 hrs
Total: 12 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Let's be honest—store-bought sun-dried tomatoes tend to be a bit leathery and tough, without much flavor. They seem like a faded, desiccated memory of a tomato, rather than a fragrant, intensified taste of summer days. Homemade sun-dried tomatoes, on the other hand, are another thing entirely: fragrant and chewy but not tough, with complex, concentrated tomato flavor and a slight sweetness. 

Sun-dried tomatoes are so named because they are, of course, dried in the sun. Although this is not difficult, the trouble with making them at home is that many of us do not have the abundant outdoor space required, or the time necessary, or perhaps we lack consistent, strong sunshine, or live in highly polluted cities or bug-infested areas where drying food outdoors is not the best idea. 

The solution? You can easily dry them in your oven. Oblong tomatoes like San Marzano or Roma, or flavorful cherry tomatoes, work best (cherry tomatoes will take more time to prepare but will dry more quickly). Once they are properly dried, they will last for many months in zipper-sealed plastic bags stored in a cool, dry place.

Oven sundried tomatoes

The Spruce

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds tomatoes (such as San Marzano, Roma, or cherry)

  • Fine sea salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Preheat the oven to 200 F, or the lowest setting possible. Resist the temptation to use a higher temperature to speed up the process, as then you'd be cooking the tomatoes, instead of drying them.

    Oven Sun-Dried Tomatoes ingredients
    The Spruce
  2. Core the tomatoes, and cut them in half lengthwise (from stem end to tip).

    Core the tomatoes
    The Spruce 
  3. Squeeze each half gently over a bowl to remove excess liquid and seeds.

    Slice tomatoes
    The Spruce
  4. Make a small slit with the tip of a sharp paring knife in the back (skin-side) of each tomato half to help them dry.

    Make a slit
    The Spruce
  5. Place a drying rack on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and arrange the tomatoes, cut-side up, in a single layer on the rack. Make sure there is a bit of space around each tomato and that they're not touching so they can dry evenly. 

    Place on a drying rack
    The Spruce
  6. Lightly sprinkle the tomatoes with salt.

    Tomatoes on rack
    The Spruce 
  7. Place baking sheet in the oven and leave until the tomatoes are dehydrated and a bit leathery, but not hard, brittle, or crispy. Check them every hour during drying. Depending on your tomatoes and oven, this can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.

    Put in oven
    The Spruce 
  8. When finished, they should still be somewhat chewy and flexible. Remove from the oven, and let cool. Use in your choice of salads, pasta, or as a pizza topping.

    Oven sundried tomatoes
    The Spruce

How to Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes

When you're ready to use the oven-dried tomatoes, you can incorporate them into any recipe that calls for sun-dried tomatoes, such as this slow cooker chicken or this easy shrimp dish. Or try the traditional method of marinating them in a jar full of olive oil and spices. They are great as pizza toppings or in pasta, in salads, in pesto, or simply as part of an antipasto platter. 

How To Store and Freeze

  • Oven dried tomatoes typically retain a small amount of moisture, so they are best stored in the refrigerator or freezer. 
  • Refrigerate oven-dried tomatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze, put the oven dried tomatoes in a zip-close bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
  • If the tomatoes are completely dehydrated and moisture-free, they may last for several months if stored in an airtight container or zip-close bag in a cool, dry place. If there is any moisture in the tomatoes or if moisture is introduced, they could become moldy. If you see any mold on the tomatoes, discard them.

Can the Convection Setting Be Used To Dry the Tomatoes?

Yes, the convection setting is an excellent option because it moves the air around the tomatoes, drying them more efficiently. If using the convection setting, lower the temperature to 175 F.

How Do You Rehydrate Oven-Dried Tomatoes?

To rehydrate oven dried tomatoes, put them in a small bowl and cover them with water, stock, or broth. Microwave, covered, for about 2 minutes. Soak the tomatoes for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender, and then pat them dry with paper towels. 

The Origin of Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Drying is a traditional Italian way of preserving an abundance of ripe summer tomatoes so that they can be enjoyed throughout the rest of the year; this is particularly popular in the southern Italian regions of Calabria and Puglia. Italian cooks fill sheet pans with halved tomatoes and place them on the roof of their houses to dry for several days in the blazing-hot Pugliese sun.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
41 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
2g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 41
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 144mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 31mg 155%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 538mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)