Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit – The best way to intensify cherry tomatoes’ natural sweetness and flavor. After making this many times, I discovered the trick is to roast them low and slow. The result? Irresistibly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth tomatoes that are better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Mustard Roasted Potatoes Recipe and Strawberry Rhubarb Scones Recipe.

Why This Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Intensely flavorful, like sun-dried tomatoes but better
- Hands-off, easy preparation
- Perfect for meal prep and making ahead
- Versatile – use in pasta, sandwiches, or as a side dish
What You'll Need for Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Cherry tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or basil)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or basil)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
- Optional: Fresh basil or parsley

📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cherry tomatoes: Use the smallest ones you can find for even roasting.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in flavor → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet with low sides — Allows for even roasting and easy cleanup → See on Amazon

How to Make Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Halve cherry tomatoes and peel and slice garlic. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Roasting: Spread tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 2-3 hours, stirring halfway through.
- Serving: Let cool, then serve as a side dish or use in your favorite recipe.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. If tomatoes are too close together, they'll steam instead of roasting.
- Substitution: You can use this method with any small, round tomato variety.
- Make-ahead: Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Storing & Reheating Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and reheated
Freezing Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the oil before roasting.
- Best substitution: Substitute any small, round tomato variety for cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantity of tomatoes and oil accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If tomatoes are still firm after roasting, they may need more time. Check them every 15 minutes after the 2-hour mark.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food processor or blender — Saves time and effort when making large batches → Check price on Amazon
Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout

Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or basil)
- Salt and pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or basil)
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings
- Red pepper flakes
- Balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Halve cherry tomatoes and peel and slice garlic. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Roasting: Spread tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 2-3 hours, stirring halfway through.
- Serving: Let cool, then serve as a side dish or use in your favorite recipe.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the oil before roasting.
- Best substitution: Substitute any small, round tomato variety for cherry tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantity of tomatoes and oil accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If tomatoes are still firm after roasting, they may need more time. Check them every 15 minutes after the 2-hour mark.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and reheated
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 70
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make this ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Tomatoes may have been too crowded on the baking sheet, causing them to steam instead of roast. Try spreading them out more.
While this method does intensify the flavor, it doesn't achieve the same level of dehydration as sun-dried tomatoes. For true sun-dried tomatoes, you'll need to use a dehydrator or a very low oven temperature for an extended period.
While you can, the results won't be the same. The air fryer cooks faster and at a higher temperature, which won't give you the same slow-roasted flavor.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Confit Recipe – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!






