How to Dehydrate Cherry Tomatoes

On this page (7 sections)

1. How do you dehydrate cherry tomatoes in a dehydrator?
2. Should cherry tomatoes be peeled or seeded first?
3. How long do cherry tomatoes take to dry?
4. How do you store dehydrated cherry tomatoes?
5. What can you use dried cherry tomatoes for?
6. Which related foods can you dehydrate?
7. How do you know when dehydrated cherry tomatoes are done?

To dehydrate cherry tomatoes, wash and halve them, place them cut side up on dehydrator trays, and dry at 135°F until leathery and dry inside. Check the pieces as they finish because tomato size and moisture affect the time.

Halved tomatoes dry more evenly than whole ones, and spacing them apart helps air move around each piece. Follow your dehydrator manual if it gives a different temperature or tray arrangement.

How do you dehydrate cherry tomatoes in a dehydrator?

Halve the tomatoes, set them cut side up, and dry at about 135°F until leathery and dry through the center. Keep the halves in a single layer with space around them.

1. Wash the tomatoes and remove stems.
2. Pat them dry, then cut each one in half lengthwise.
3. Arrange the halves cut side up on dehydrator trays.
4. Set the dehydrator to 135°F, or follow its manual.
5. Start checking after about 8 hours, then remove pieces as they finish.

Small tomatoes can finish before larger ones, so don't rely on a single end time. For a broader prep and tray guide, see how to dehydrate vegetables in a dehydrator.

Should cherry tomatoes be peeled or seeded first?

No, peeling and seeding are usually unnecessary for cherry tomatoes. Halving them exposes the flesh and lets moisture escape while keeping the pieces easy to handle.

If a tomato has a large amount of loose gel or seeds, you can gently remove some with a spoon. Avoid scraping away too much flesh, since that leaves less tomato to dry.

How long do cherry tomatoes take to dry?

Plan for roughly 8 to 14 hours, then judge each piece by its texture. Variety, size, humidity, tray loading, and airflow can make the drying time shorter or longer.

Start checking around the 8-hour mark. A finished half should feel leathery and dry through the center when cooled and torn; if you find a moist pocket, return it to the tray.

Rotate trays only if your dehydrator manual recommends it or if you notice uneven drying. Our guide to what temperature dehydrates food explains why the temperature setting and drying conditions matter.

What temperature should you use for cherry tomatoes?

About 135°F is a practical starting point for drying cherry tomatoes. Use your appliance's recommended setting if it differs, and avoid raising the heat just to rush the batch.

For temperature-setting basics across different foods, read what temperature should I set my dehydrator to?. The right setting still needs enough time for moisture to leave the thickest pieces.

How do you store dehydrated cherry tomatoes?

Cool the tomatoes completely, then store them in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark place. Don't seal warm pieces, because trapped heat can create condensation.

Check the container during the next several days. If moisture or condensation appears, put the tomatoes back in the dehydrator and dry them more before storing them again.

For longer storage, portion the tomatoes into containers you can open without exposing the whole batch repeatedly. Keep them dry and discard any with mold or an off smell.

What can you use dried cherry tomatoes for?

Add dried cherry tomatoes to soups, sauces, pasta, or other dishes that can rehydrate them as they cook. You can also soak them in warm water before adding them to a recipe that has little liquid.

The Ultimate Dehydrator Cookbook by Tammy Gangloff, Steven Gangloff, and September Ferguson includes vegetable preparation and drying temperatures and times, along with recipes that use dehydrated ingredients.

Skip a cookbook if you only need a simple batch method and already have recipes you like. For another tomato preparation, see how to dehydrate frozen tomatoes.

Which related foods can you dehydrate?

The same basic process works for many vegetables, but cut size and drying time vary by food. Use a food-specific guide when you switch from tomatoes to a vegetable with a different shape or moisture level.

A leafy herb also needs its own instructions; see how to dehydrate cilantro.

For mushrooms, use our steps for how to dehydrate mushrooms. For sweet potatoes, follow how to dehydrate sweet potatoes in a dehydrator, since their preparation differs from halving tomatoes.

If you want another dried vegetable for recipes, Harmony House Dried Spinach Flakes are air-dried spinach in a 4 oz jar. The brand describes them for soups, casseroles, sauces, and other dishes.

Choose spinach flakes when you want a ready-to-use dried vegetable. For a fresh ingredient you plan to dry yourself, stick with the tomato method and check pieces individually.

How do you know when dehydrated cherry tomatoes are done?

A cooled tomato half should be leathery and dry through the center, without a wet or sticky pocket. Test the largest pieces first, since they are more likely to need extra time.

Remove finished pieces as you check the trays. Let them cool before testing, because warm fruit can feel softer than it will once it reaches room temperature.

When deciding how to dehydrate cherry tomatoes, halve them, dry at about 135°F, and let texture guide the finish. Use the vegetable guide for a wider range of produce, and choose food-specific instructions when you move to mushrooms or sweet potatoes.

For fruit, see how to dehydrate fruit in a dehydrator.

Frequently asked questions

Can you dehydrate cherry tomatoes?

Yes, you can dehydrate cherry tomatoes in a food dehydrator. Wash and halve them, arrange them cut side up with space between pieces, and dry at about 135°F until leathery and dry through the center.

Small tomatoes may finish before larger ones, so check each tray as it dries.

How long does it take to dehydrate cherry tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes often take about 8 to 14 hours, but variety, size, humidity, and dehydrator airflow change the timing. Start checking around 8 hours and remove dry pieces as they finish.

The center should feel dry, with no moist pockets when you tear a cooled piece.

Should cherry tomatoes be cut before dehydrating?

Yes, halving cherry tomatoes helps expose the juicy interior and gives moisture a path to escape. Set the halves cut side up so juice stays on the fruit instead of dripping onto lower trays.

For unusually large tomatoes, cut them into quarters for more even drying.

How should dehydrated cherry tomatoes be stored?

Cool the tomatoes completely, then place them in a clean, airtight container away from heat and light. Check the container over the next several days for signs of moisture or condensation.

If moisture appears, return the tomatoes to the dehydrator and dry them further before storing again.