Love cherry tomatoes? This easy cherry tomato recipe transforms them into the perfect party food, summer to winter! Simply dip them in salted toffee, roll in your favourite seeds and skewer them for easy serving. It's a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from pool parties to holidays.
What are Cherry Tomatoes Best For?
Ever since the children have been little, they love eating cherry tomatoes plain like bonbons. Let's face it; they're naturally sweet, healthy and far better for you than sweeties!
Although best served on their own, add them to a salad: such as a simple green salad, a Niçoise salad or on a warm goat cheese salad (salade de chèvre chaud).
For many more cherry tomatoes recipes, see the guide to tomatoes.
But best of all, what about a simple cherry tomato recipe that livens up the party? Dipped in salted toffee and rolled in seeds, they're great fun for summer parties until the winter holiday season.
Cherry Tomatoes - The Best Party Food
Discovered in Provence with friends, this recipe started with skepticism (caramel on tomatoes for an apéritif?). But we tried it – magazine recipe in hand (don't ask which one, it was ages ago!). The first batch, just caramel and seeds, needed something. Salt! We experimented, adding salt crystals with seeds, then directly to the caramel. The salted version won.
Over time, I've played with these candied tomatoes. Salt is key for that addictive sweet-and-salty flavour. Use different seeds – sesame, black sesame, poppy, flax – and the best tomatoes, ideally on the vine and in various colours (red, orange, yellow).
Cherry Tomato Macarons
Also served for an aperitif, have you tried my Bloody Mary mini macarons yet? Strictly for adults only and just as fun.
The recipe is in my first book, "Mad About Macarons", as part of the mini savoury macaron chapter.
Cherry Tomato Recipe with Salted Toffee
Here's how to make them. Although quick to make in just 20 minutes, the secret is to prepare your work station. By preparing everything in advance, it's simple to dip and roll. A water-bath of hot water ensures the saucepan of caramel won't harden quickly while dipping in the tomatoes.
- First place each cherry tomato on a cocktail stick or larger skewer.
- Make the toffee, which will take between 6-8 minutes. Add the salt when it starts to caramelise - or roll on top with the seeds. (I use French fleur de sel from the Guerande or Celtic sea salt).
- Working quickly, dip the top of each into the salted caramel then place the candied tops on a plate of seeds (poppy, flax and sesame work well).
- Serve as close as possible to making them. Keep aside at room temperature and avoid transferring to the fridge, as the caramel will melt.
How to Serve Salted Toffee Cherry Tomatoes
Now for the fun part! Serve them on cocktail sticks in a bowl, or for a stunning display, thread them on skewers and arrange them in a plant pot. Simply pierce them into a halved grapefruit, orange, or avocado, and voila!
The sweet and salty combination is unique, so 2 per person is usually enough. Plus, they double as a beautiful and delicious table decoration.
Feel free to sprinkle on a touch of fresh thyme or rosemary. Even dried herbs work well.
Cherry Tomatoes in Salted Toffee
Ingredients
- 12 cherry tomatoes washed & thoroughly dried
- 100 g (3.5oz/½ cup) sugar
- 50 ml (1.75floz/3½ tbsp) water
- 1 teaspoon fleur de sel salt (Maldon flakes or Celtic sea salt)
- 1 tablespoon seeds (sesame, flaxseeds or poppy seeds)
- 1 teaspoon mixed fresh or pinch dried herbs optional (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Ensure the cherry tomatoes are washed but that no water is left on the surface. Lay out everything in advance since you'll need to work quickly once the hot caramel is ready:Prepare a baking tray covered in baking paper, 12 cocktail sticks (or skewers/cake pop sticks), a plate coated in the seeds, plus a bowl or tin (waterbath) filled with hot water that can hold the saucepan of caramel (this is so that the caramel doesn't harden too quickly while you work). Pierce each cherry tomato with a cocktail stick.
- In a saucepan, place the sugar and water together and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Put on a medium heat and, without stirring, leave for about 6 minutes until the caramel starts to form. The sugar will bubble furiously and the caramel will start to brown slightly - keep your eye on it for the next couple of minutes. Add the fleur de sel salt to the caramel or roll in the salt with the seeds.
- Take the caramel off the heat as soon as the colour is light brown and place the saucepan in the warm water bath and work quickly. Dip each cherry tomato into the caramel then immediately roll in the seeds, herbs (if using) and the salt.
- Place on the baking tray to set for a minute. Then serve.
Notes
This recipe was first published 10 September 2017 but is now completely updated
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That's a nice idea to eat more tomatoes 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Jill Colonna
Too funny. It's a pleasure. Happy holidays!
Bea
Jill, these are so clever and I can't wait to try them. Especially with my garden tomatoes. I love the heirloom tomatoes. Some of my faves though are German Pink, Black Krim & Golden Jubilee plus they all are available in the little cherry tomatoes. Thanks so much for sharing this fun exquisite recipe!
Jill Colonna
So glad you found it, Bea, and will have fun making them. Made with your own garden tomatoes, I can't think of anything better!
Lin
I love the concept and appearance of this wonderful appy. I can't wait to taste one.
Do you think it would work on peeled tomatoes?
Jill Colonna
Thanks, Lin. No, I wouldn't try it on peeled tomatoes: you'll need the skins on the cherry tomatoes to cope with the shock of dipping in the caramel. Enjoy them!
Christina
I saw these earlier, but couldn't comment from my phone (what a pain to be laptop-less for a month)! Why not dip in caramel since tomatoes are actually a fruit?! They look absolutely gorgeous, too, Jill!
Jill Colonna
Thanks, Christina. I didn't realise that the site wasn't mobile-friendly 🙁 need to check this out.
Liz
Such an unusual, beautiful appetizer! Perfect with a glass of wine!!
Jill Colonna
Thanks, Liz. Yes, it's so unusual to crunch in to a salty yet sweet tomato but I love it (occasionally, anyway)...
Lesley Moyes
Jill
The Cherry Tomato Macarons look amazing and The Salted Toffee Cherry Tomatoes look very different. Lovely photos
Jill Colonna
What a most lovely comment to receive this morning, Lesley. Thank you!