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Italian Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes

By: Rosemary Published: Updated on: April 3, 2022

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Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes, are slow baked in the oven, just as delicious as the traditional under the sun type! Drizzled with Olive oil and tossed with spices to make the perfect Appetizer or Side Dish. Or why not add some to pasta or pizza? So good.

Sun dried tomatoes in a brown dish and a glass jar.

When I first came to Italy and tried these delicious Oven Dried Tomatoes I knew they would become one of my favourite ways of using up my summer over-load of tomatoes. All summer long I would receive bags of tomatoes from my mother-in-law and now my sister-in-law. Tomatoes! What can’t they do?

Different ways to use them

  • Top some on a Pizza
  • Chop them up and toss with your favourite al dente pasta
  • Use them in a frittata
  • Eat them on your a slice of Italian Crusty Bread
  • Top them on a simple Bruschetta
  • Never throw out the olive oil that lovely taste is perfect for dipping and using in salads.

How to make them

Slice tomatoes lengthwise and place on lightly greased (drizzle with a little olive oil) baking sheet. Bake in the middle of the oven for a short period of time at a higher heat, then lower the heat and continue to bake for approximately for approximately 1- 1 1/2 hours.

tomatoes before baked.

At this point the tomatoes should be dried, remove from oven and let cool.

Tomatoes dried from the oven.

Move to a clean bowl and toss with dried olive oil, chopped garlic and spices. Serve over fresh Italian crusty bread or use in your favourite recipes.

Delicious Sun-Dried Tomato Recipes

Spaghetti with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pancetta

Sun Dried Tomato Olive Bread

Italian Sausage Artichoke Cheese Pizza (& Sun Dried Tomatoes)

When my mother-in-law was well she would actually sit the tomatoes out to dry in the sun, just thinking about that makes me want to try it again myself.

Are tomatoes good for you?

Yes they are they are a source of the antioxidant lycopene, which is considered a healthy benefit for reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Sun dried tomatoes in a glass jar.

How to make them the Traditional way

  1. Place the tomatoes cut side up on a grid and sprinkle each tomato with a little salt (salts speeds up the drying process)
  2. Cover with netting to guard from dust and insects
  3. Place the tomatoes under direct sun light.
  4. Remember to bring the tomatoes into the house in the evening (evening moisture should be avoided)
  5. Repeat the procedure for approximately 7 days
  6. Carefully turn the tomatoes once a day to allow for a fast and even drying
  7. These Sun Dried tomatoes will be ready when they are dried and wrinkled
  8. Tomatoes can be conserved in olive oil or placed in an air tight bag and frozen

So what’s almost as good as that? The oven! Faster than waiting around for a week! It takes about an hour or two. And you will basically have the same results.

These lovely Homemade Oven Dried Tomatoes are tossed with olive oil and fresh spices, so tasty. My husband loves these tomatoes on some  crusty Italian bread.

Sun dried tomatoes in a glass jar.

Recipe FAQs

How to store them

Any leftovers should be stored in a clean jar with a lid, be sure to cover them completely with olive oil, check to make sure that they remain under oil periodically. They will keep up to a week in the fridge.

Can you freeze them?

Yes you can, once they are dried and cooled from the oven (without olive oil & spices) place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until firm, about 2 hours, then move to a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

What are the best tomatoes to use?

The best tomatoes to use are Roma, San Marzano, or smaller tomatoes such as grape or cherry tomatoes. Without moisture, the flavour is heightened which increases the taste in the dish.

Add a nice glass of Italian wine and these oven dried tomatoes become a  fast and easy meal to serve at dinnertime.

I usually make this recipe when we have friends over, in fact my husband’s best friend loves them so much he’s always the one who finishes them. I hope you enjoy these Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Buon Appetito!

Sun-dried tomatoes in a brown dish.
Sun- dried tomatoes in a brown plate.

Italian Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Rosemary Molloy
Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes, delicious and easy to make, tossed with olive oil and fresh spices.
4.50 from 14 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 15 mins
Course Antipasti, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 20 or more tomatoes (Roma/marziano ripe)
  • 4-5 tablespoons olive oil*
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 4-5 sprigs chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 3 -5 fresh basil leaves chopped
  • 1-2 pinches hot pepper flakes if desired

*more for jarring.

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 400F (200C). Drizzle a 1-2 cookies sheets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
    • Slice tomatoes lengthwise and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, then lower the heat to 300F degrees (150C) and continue to bake for approximately 1- 1 1/2 hours. At this point the tomatoes should be dried, if not continue to bake until they are, remove from oven and let cool
    • Move to a clean bowl and toss the tomatoes with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, oregano, fresh chopped parsley, chopped fresh basil leaves and hot pepper flakes if desired. Serve over fresh Italian crusty bread or use in your favourite recipes. Enjoy!

    Notes

    The dried tomatoes in oil can be kept for about 3 months, as long as they have been jarred and sealed  correctly. The jars should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat. If you are sealing them then it is advised to wait at least a week before consuming the tomatoes. Once each jar has been opened, store it in the refrigerator and eat within 3-4 days at most, be sure to add olive oil to keep the tomatoes always covered.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 245mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2135IUVitamin C: 35.4mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 0.9mg
    Keyword easy oven dried tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes in the oven, sun-dried tomatoes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Republished from January 5, 2017.

    As I was walking down Bloor Street (between Dufferin and Ossington) I noticed a couple of women selling ceramic bowls, cups, and jewlery. I have to say this bowl and a plate caught my eye immediately. So naturally I decided I needed and wanted them for my photos. I also learned that the women who made these articles are women from a wonderful Organization called “Sistering“. Which helps women who are homeless, marginalized  and low income in Toronto. So if you are ever walking down Bloor take a look, I’m sure you will find something that catches your eye, and know you are purchasing something for a great cause.

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    1. Judy says

      5 stars
      OMG! We made these today and they are so delicious, we will never use store bought again.
      I wish I could leave a photo with my comment.

      Reply

    3. Nina says

      5 stars
      Another great recipe. Husband and I love sun dried tomatoes but we can’t tolerate onions or garlic very well; every time I buy them they have one or the other so finding this recipe was so exciting. We are probably going to od on these but in a good way. 😉 Really, a good “oven-dried” sun dried tomato can’t be beat. Thank you so much!

      Reply

    4. lynn says

      I have a lot of yellow cherry tomatoes from my garden. Would I use the same procedure, but with less time, or would it be totally different because of their size?

      Reply

      • Rosemary says

        Hi Lynn, yes use the same procedure and it could take less time because of their size, so keep your eye on them, on the second bake start checking at about 40 minutes or so. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply

    5. Denise Doyban says

      Just about your oven dried tomatoes .
      My son-in-law absolutely lives sun dried but I don’t have the time or patience for that.
      I’ll let you know how I fair
      Denise
      Australia

      Reply

    7. John leaf says

      5 stars
      Hi rosemary,
      I love oven dried tomatoes! I want to add that we tried to freeze them in winter, like Heidi did, and then we ate them in summer. Unexpectedly they were super delicious also not in winter, like Heidi claimed!
      Btw your recipe rules!!

      Reply

    11. Liz says

      Great recipe..will be trying it as soon as I get the tomatoes. Do you just slice them in half or several slices? Thanks

      Reply

    15. Heidi @ lightlycrunchy says

      5 stars
      I’ve tried the oven drying method before – but it was on a low temp and it took hours. I’m going to try it your way with next year’s crop of tomatoes. I do love dried tomatoes, especially as a pizza topping. I even take some of them and freeze them for pizza toppings later on in the winter.

      Reply

      • rose says

        Hi Heidi, freezing is a great idea, I will try that too, usually when I make them my family eats them all in one setting. Have a great day!

        Reply

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