Homemade Tomato Powder
It’s raining tomatoes! Don’t I always say that during July and August? Well it’s true – we have so many tomatoes right now! You guys know I love my Stewed Tomatoes recipe, Roma Tomato Soup, Heirloom Tomato Pasta and homemade tomato paste to freeze, but with that comes a lot of extra tomato skins. Being one that loves to use up the whole fruit or vegetable, I wanted to come up with a way to use use the tomato skins in a way that can be enjoyed in different recipes throughout the seasons. By making tomato powder we can enjoy our Summer tomato harvest, even during Winter! Since I know not everyone has a food dehydrator I will supply both methods below – for making it in a food dehydrator and in the oven! Whatever way you choose, I hope you like it! Love making homemade spices? Check out my homemade onion powder, garlic powder, adobo seasoning, dried basil, dried parsley, and dried oregano too!
How to Use Tomato Powder
Here are some great ways to use tomato powder in everyday recipes:
How to Make Tomato Powder in the Oven
Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 150-170 degrees F. (Up to 190 degrees F is ok if that’s as low as your oven goes). Gather your tomato skins. These can be leftover from canning, making tomato sauce, or peeling fresh tomatoes. Make sure they are clean and free from any debris.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the tomato skins evenly on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping. This helps with even drying. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. The drying time can vary but generally takes around 4-8 hours, depending on oven temperature and how wet the tomato skins are. After a few hours, check the tomato skins for dryness. They should be brittle and easily snap. If they are not completely dry, continue to bake and check at 30 minute intervals until they are ready. Once the tomato skins are fully dried, remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming when you store them. Transfer the cooled, dried tomato skins to a coffee/spice grinder or food processor. Pulse until you achieve a fine powder consistency.
How to Make Tomato Powder with Food Dehydrator
Want to make tomato flakes instead?
If you prefer flakes, place the dried skins in a food processor and pulse a few times until you achieve the desired flake consistency. Store the flakes in an airtight jar.
How to Store Tomato Powder
Transfer the tomato powder to an airtight container. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Using a vacuum-sealed container can also help extend its shelf life. Homemade tomato powder should last up to a year (or longer) when stored properly. Pin for later:
