Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic, Basil, and Balsamic Glaze
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Roasted cherry tomatoes make a delicious snack, tasty appetizer, or versatile side dish. Cherry tomato halves are roasted with garlic and olive oil until they're partially dehydrated and their sweetness and flavor have concentrated. A little basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze add flavor and take these tasty bites over the top.
If you love cherry tomato recipes, also try our roasted cherry tomato sauce and our summer spaghetti!
Table of contents
If you're curious how to make an insane about of cherry tomatoes disappear in the blink of an eye, turn them into these roasted cherry tomatoes. They're sweet and savory little bites that make an excellent snack, appetizer, or simple side dish. When you bake cherry tomatoes, all of their sweetness condenses into a tiny little nibble. They're total flavor bites.
But to truly take them over the top, add some balsamic glaze and basil when they come out of the oven. They are truly irresistible.
Ingredients
Cherry tomatoes – there are so many varieties of cherry tomatoes. Choose whichever ones look the best at the grocery store or market.
Olive oil – a decent quality cooking olive oil will work best for this recipe.
Garlic – we like to grate the garlic on a microplane so that it becomes a paste. You can also mince garlic really well.
Salt and pepper – helps to bring out all the delicious flavor.
Basil – Chopped fresh basil really complements the sweet tomatoes
Balsamic glaze – this is thickened and sweetened balsamic vinegar and is found in the vinegar section of your grocery store.
How to roast cherry tomatoes
Making roasted cherry tomatoes is quite simple. Here's what you're going to do:
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half then toss them with oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer, cut side up.
- Now put them into your oven for about an hour. If there is still liquid on the pan when you check on them, leave them for another 15 minutes.
- Before serving these tasty nuggets, drizzle them with a little balsamic glaze and sprinkle them with fresh basil.
Full recipe instructions in the recipe card below.
How long to roast cherry tomatoes
The best roasted cherry tomatoes take time. If you rush the roasting process, they won't be as sweet and they'll be too juicy. The exact time will depend on the size of the cherry tomatoes you're using. Count on them being in the oven for 1 – 1 ¼ hours. By this time, their juiciness will have evaporated and you'll have little bites of super-concentrated flavor.
Storing leftovers
Roasted cherry tomatoes will keep well for 4-5 days if kept in a covered container in your fridge. Note that the basil will darken when it's stored. While it's safe to eat, it will look best if added to the tomatoes fresh before you eat or serve them. If you're making this roasted cherry tomatoes recipe and think you'll have leftovers, only add the basil to the tomatoes you think you'll eat.
Serving suggestions
Roasted cherry tomatoes are usually eaten as a snack around here. They're delicious served hot or at room temperature. These tasty little bites disappear from the bowl so fast that they're gone long before dinner. But if we've made a double batch, these are a few other ways we like to enjoy them:
- Put them on toast – bonus points if you spread the toast with goat cheese first.
- Add them to a pasta sauce – pesto or cream sauces are great.
- Serve them as a side, or on top of, fish or chicken.
- Put some in your salad.
- Mix them into rice or risotto.
- Use them on pizza.
- Include them on a cheese and charcuterie board
Try these popular cherry tomato recipes
- Meatball Stuffed Peppers with cherry tomato sauce
- Bacon Guacamole with roasted garlic and tomatoes
- Asparagus Tart with cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Fresh Summer Spaghetti
Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-3 teaspoons garlic paste (garlic that's been grated on a Microplane – see notes)
- 1 teaspoon EACH: sea salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Transfer the tomatoes to a baking sheet and spread them out so that they are in a single layer.4 cups cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1-3 teaspoons garlic paste, 1 teaspoon EACH: sea salt and black pepper
- Roast the tomatoes for 1 – 1 ¼ hours, or until they are shriveled and partly dehydrated.
- Serve the tomatoes topped with basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.2 tablespoons chopped basil, 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
