Easy Oven-Dried Tomatoes for Paleo Snacks
Ok so my recipe isn’t strictly accurate, as my tomatoes are oven-dried tomatoes rather than sun-dried – and my method doesn’t take 7-days, but the end result is the close enough. These are such a simple alternative to buying sun-dried tomatoes, and come with no preservatives or added nasties.
Use different colours and varieties of tomatoes and put these in a jar, to make a beautiful and practical gift.
Instead of basil, you can experiment with your favourite combinations. Try some other Italian herbs, garlic or even lemon for some variety. Capsicum (bell pepper) is also great dried out using this method and complements the sun-dried tomatoes perfectly.
Recipe: Sun dried tomatoes
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Grease-proof paper
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 250 g tomatoes I used regular cherry tomatoes, but have got some colourful varieties growing in my garden to try next time
- Splash of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: First, preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Slice the tomatoes in half, lengthways. It helps to keep them all evenly sized.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl, mix all the ingredients, ensuring the tomato halves are evenly coated with olive oil, dried basil, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Arrange on Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with grease-proof paper, and arrange the tomatoes evenly on the tray. It’s fine if some face up and some down.
- Bake: Bake for 2 – 3 hours, ensuring they don’t burn. You’ll want the tomatoes to retain a little moisture to ensure a nice texture.
- Store: Store your oven-dried tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge.
Alternative Method: Alternatively, you can simply dry out the tomatoes in a dehydrator, if you have one.
Enjoy these oven-dried tomatoes as a simple stand-alone snack with goat cheese, avocado, and pine nuts. They’re also a great addition to lots of recipes. Try them in omelettes, on pizza, in chili, or even as a secret ingredient in some homemade ketchup.
Creating these Oven-Dried Tomatoes is a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy and delicious snack that fits perfectly into a Paleo lifestyle. With minimal ingredients and effort, you can have a versatile and nutritious addition to your meals.
These tomatoes are not only great as a stand-alone snack but also perfect for adding to various recipes. Whether in omelettes, pizzas, chilies, or even homemade ketchup, their rich and concentrated flavour enhances any dish.
I hope you enjoy making and eating these Oven-Dried Tomatoes – I’d love to hear your thoughts and any variations you made to the recipe, so please share in the comments below.
Tips for Choosing the Best Tomatoes
For the richest flavour, opt for small, firm tomatoes like Roma, cherry, or grape varieties. These types naturally have a lower water content, which helps them dry more efficiently and intensify in taste. You can also use heirloom varieties to add visual appeal to your final product, especially if you're giving them as a gift. Always choose ripe, unblemished tomatoes for the best results.
Storage and Shelf Life
Once fully dried, your oven-dried tomatoes should be stored in an airtight container or jar. You can store them dry, or pack them in olive oil with herbs for a ready-to-use ingredient. In the fridge, they’ll last around a week if packed in oil, or longer if vacuum sealed or kept in the freezer. Just ensure they're completely cool before sealing to avoid excess moisture.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
These tomatoes add bursts of flavour to almost any dish. Add them to a Paleo-style antipasto platter with cured meats, olives, and fermented veggies. Chop and mix into your favourite guacamole or toss through a fresh zucchini noodle salad with basil and almonds. They’re also incredible on Paleo wraps or flatbreads with grilled chicken or lamb.
Batch Prep and Scaling Up
Because drying tomatoes takes time, consider making a large batch at once. Use multiple trays if your oven allows. Rotate them halfway through the drying time to ensure even dehydration. When using a dehydrator, you can run several trays simultaneously, making it more energy-efficient if you plan to preserve lots of produce from your garden or a market haul.
Creative Gifting Ideas
Layer a selection of oven-dried tomatoes, roasted capsicum, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary in a glass jar and top with good-quality olive oil. Tie with string and a handwritten label for a beautiful homemade gift. For an added touch, include a tag with recipe suggestions or a pairing guide. It’s the kind of present that feels thoughtful, delicious, and practical all at once.
Why They’re Better Than Store-Bought
Many commercial sun-dried tomatoes contain preservatives like sulphites, which can cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals. By making your own, you control every ingredient—there’s no sugar, additives, or processed oils. Plus, they’re far more cost-effective than their store-bought counterparts.
Fun Variations to Try
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne before drying.
- Smoky Flavour: Try smoked paprika for a deeper, earthy undertone.
- Middle Eastern Twist: Add ground cumin and coriander with fresh mint after drying.
- Herb Infused Oil: After storing in oil, toss in a few sprigs of thyme or oregano to deepen the flavour over time.
Using Oven-Dried Tomatoes in Everyday Meals
Once you've mastered making oven-dried tomatoes, the real fun begins with incorporating them into your regular meals. Their deep, sweet-savory flavour can completely transform simple dishes. Toss them through scrambled eggs or a veggie-loaded frittata for an instant flavour boost. Add a handful to a tray of roasted vegetables just before serving, or stir into cauliflower rice for a Mediterranean flair. They also work beautifully in slow-cooked dishes, where their richness intensifies further and adds depth without overpowering other ingredients.
Paleo-Friendly Sauces and Dressings
Blending your oven-dried tomatoes into sauces and dressings is another excellent way to use them. For a simple Paleo pasta sauce, blend a handful of dried tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of lemon juice. You can thin it with water or bone broth for a looser consistency. This works perfectly over spiralised zucchini noodles or grilled vegetables. For a salad dressing, pulse them into a vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard. The result is a bold, tangy dressing that livens up any salad without the need for additives or emulsifiers.
Turn Them Into a Savoury Spread
Another creative idea is to use your dried tomatoes as the base for a spread or dip. Blend with soaked cashews, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs to create a creamy tomato spread that’s perfect for Paleo crackers or raw veggie sticks. For a nut-free option, blend them with roasted red capsicum and a splash of olive oil for a simple tapenade-like dip. It makes an excellent addition to grazing boards or packed lunches and is a great way to add interest to leftovers.
Protein Pairings for Maximum Flavour
Oven-dried tomatoes pair wonderfully with many protein sources, especially within a Paleo framework. Toss them through a lamb salad with mint and cucumber, or use them to top grilled chicken thighs with fresh herbs and avocado. They’re also brilliant in slow-cooked beef dishes, bringing natural acidity and richness. If you eat eggs, they’re an easy upgrade to any omelette or egg muffin. With seafood, try them in a warm salad with prawns, olives, and rocket for a nutrient-dense lunch.
Make a Paleo-Friendly Tapenade
If you're missing traditional tapenade, these tomatoes can help. Blend them with olives, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil for a robust, savoury spread that works on everything from Paleo bread to lettuce wraps. You can keep it chunky or blend until smooth depending on your preference. Add a few toasted pine nuts for texture or a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavour. Store in a jar in the fridge and use within a few days.
Meal Prep with a Mediterranean Twist
Including oven-dried tomatoes in your weekly meal prep can bring variety to your usual rotation. Add them to pre-cooked chicken and steamed greens for easy lunches, or mix with roasted sweet potatoes, rocket, and tahini dressing for a plant-based bowl. Their concentrated flavour means you only need a few pieces to change the entire dish, so they’re ideal for portion-controlled meals or adding variety without extra prep each day.
Use in Paleo Baking
Believe it or not, oven-dried tomatoes also have a place in savoury baking. Add finely chopped tomatoes to almond flour muffins, seed crackers, or savoury scones for bursts of flavour. They pair particularly well with rosemary, thyme, and black olives in rustic-style breads or focaccia-style bases. Just ensure they’re well-dried and chopped small to avoid adding too much moisture to your mix.
Incorporating Them Into Entertaining Platters
When entertaining, having a jar of your homemade oven-dried tomatoes on hand can elevate your offerings. Serve them with crudités, compliant cured meats, activated nuts, and fermented vegetables for a well-rounded Paleo platter. Their bold taste balances beautifully with creamy elements like avocado or goat cheese (if tolerated), making them a reliable go-to for creating vibrant, nutrient-dense spreads.
Building a Seasonal Pantry
If you grow your own tomatoes or shop seasonally, oven-drying is the perfect preservation method. When tomatoes are abundant and inexpensive, make large batches and store them in portions. You’ll capture that peak flavour to use all year long, even when supermarket tomatoes are bland and watery. Stored properly, they retain their taste and texture, making them a pantry essential through winter months.
Creating a Flavour Base for Paleo Dishes
Think of these tomatoes as flavour bombs you can drop into a range of dishes. Chop and sauté them with onions and garlic as a base for soups and stews. Stir into bone broth for a quick lunch soup, or mash into ghee and melt over steak or grilled fish. Their natural umami quality enhances the depth of meals without needing artificial flavour enhancers or sauces.
Beyond Tomatoes: Experiment With Other Veggies
Once you’re comfortable with the method, try it with other produce. Capsicum is a natural pairing, but zucchini, mushrooms, and even thinly sliced carrots can all be oven-dried with great results. Follow the same slow-drying principle and experiment with spice combinations. Mixing different dried vegetables in a jar with herbs and oil makes a colourful, deeply flavoured base for countless meals.
A Delicious Habit Worth Keeping
Making your own oven-dried tomatoes might feel like a novelty at first, but it’s the kind of low-effort, high-reward habit that becomes second nature. With minimal ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll have a versatile, flavour-packed staple that’s free from additives and perfectly suited to the Paleo lifestyle. Plus, they make your meals look and taste gourmet, even when you’re just throwing something together from the fridge. So next time tomatoes are in season, buy extra — your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Oven-dried tomatoes are a deceptively simple recipe that delivers big on both flavour and versatility. They’re one of those make-ahead pantry staples you’ll reach for constantly, whether to elevate a meal or enjoy as a nourishing snack. Play around with herbs and oils to suit your taste or seasonal availability, and don’t forget to tag your creations on social if you share them—I’d love to see how you make them your own!
