Cherry Tomatoes in Salted Toffee - the Best Party Food

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.

This recipe was first published 10 September 2017 but is now completely updated