Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, Juicy and Ready Fast 2026

These air fryer cherry tomatoes are the side dish we reach for again and again. Sweet, blistered and lightly perfumed with fresh thyme, they come together in about twenty minutes with almost no effort. Pop them in the basket, let the hot air do its work, and you have something bright and juicy to lift any meal.

They are wonderfully versatile: pile them on toast with melted cheese, toss them through pasta, or serve them next to fish, chicken or grilled meat. Because the air fryer concentrates their flavor, even out-of-season tomatoes taste surprisingly good.

All you need is a handful of everyday ingredients and a basket that fits them in a single layer. Let's walk through how to make them perfectly tender and caramelized every time.

Once roasted, the skins split and the insides turn soft and jammy, which is exactly what you want. Serve them warm straight from the basket so they keep that glossy, juicy texture.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes

This makes 2 servings as a side.

• 160 g cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

How to Make Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes Step by Step

1. Wash and Dry the Tomatoes

Wash 160 g of cherry tomatoes and dry them well, then remove the stems and arrange them in a single layer on a tray that fits inside your air fryer. Choose ripe tomatoes of the same size and variety so they cook evenly, and skip any that are still green.

2. Mix the Seasoning

In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves, salt and ground black pepper. If you like, make a couple of small cuts in the skin of each tomato so the oil and herbs can soak in more deeply.

3. Coat the Tomatoes

Coat the tomatoes with this oil mixture, turning them so they are well covered on all sides. Take a moment to make sure every tomato gets a little of the herby oil.

4. Cook for 10 Minutes

Cook the cherry tomatoes in the air fryer at 180 °C (350 °F) for 10 minutes. Keeping them in a single layer, without piling them up, is the key to even cooking.

5. Turn and Cook 5 More Minutes

Carefully turn the tomatoes over and cook them for 5 more minutes, until the skins are split and the flesh is soft. At that point they are ready to serve.

6. Serve

Serve the tomatoes warm, straight from the basket. They are lovely over toast with Brie or another melting cheese, and equally good as a side for all kinds of dishes.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes

Pick Ripe, Evenly Sized Tomatoes

Use ripe tomatoes and avoid any that are still green. Choose ones of the same size and variety, since each needs a different cooking time, and remove the stems before cooking so the juices stay inside.

Score the Skins and Use Fresh Herbs

A couple of small cuts in the skin help the tomatoes absorb the oil and herbs. Fresh herbs work best, and fresh thyme freezes beautifully: the leaves slip off the stems easily once frozen, so you can keep loose leaves on hand.

Keep Them in a Single Layer

Spread the tomatoes in one layer on the tray without crowding them for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook more or fewer at a time.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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