Roasted Strawberries: From Ordinary to Amazing!

Discover the magic of roasted strawberries—a simple yet delightful method to amplify their natural sweetness and elevate them into a versatile ingredient for countless dishes. Add a burst of flavor and color to your favorite recipes! 

Roasting strawberries is one of the easiest cooking methods that take underripe strawberries to a new level, intensifying their natural sweetness.

I discovered that tasting the strawberries before adding any sweetener is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors in your roasted strawberries. Since the sweetness of strawberries can vary depending on their ripeness and variety, it’s essential to taste them beforehand.

Balancing this sweetness with lemon juice and a pinch of salt ensures delicious roasted strawberries every time.

You can enjoy them as a topping for yogurt or homemade ricotta, oatmeal, pancakes, or even ice cream. They also make a delightful addition to desserts like tarts, as a filling for crepes, or garnishing a ricotta cheesecake.

If you’re anything like me and enjoy the deliciousness of macerated strawberries, get ready for a flavor sensation by roasting them!

Let’s dive into the recipe!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to make
• Tips
• FAQ
• Serving suggestions
• Easy recipes with strawberries
• Recipe origins
• Recipe

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: Frozen strawberries can be used if fresh ones are unavailable.
• Granulated sugar: Adjust quantity based on the sweetness of the strawberries and personal preference. Honey or maple syrup can also be used as substitutes.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled can be substituted.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla bean paste or essence can be alternatives.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors, but it can be omitted if desired.

How to make

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Hull the berries. For this recipe, you will need about 800 grams. Quarter larger ones, halve medium-sized ones and leave small ones whole to ensure uniform pieces.
• In a 9×13-inch pan, combine the strawberries with 2-4 tablespoons of granulated sugar (adjust as needed based on their sweetness), 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of Kosher salt. Toss gently to coat the strawberries evenly.
• Spread the strawberries in a single layer in the baking pan, making sure they are not overcrowded. This allows them to roast evenly.
• Place the pan in the preheated oven. Roast the strawberries for 20-25 minutes, or until they are softened and the juices start caramelizing.
• Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before using them in your favorite dishes or enjoying them as a sweet treat.

Tips

• Preventing over-caramelization: If you notice that the strawberries are caramelizing too quickly or becoming overly browned during roasting, try lowering the oven temperature slightly and/or reducing the roasting time. You can also cover the baking sheet loosely with aluminum foil halfway through the cooking process to prevent excessive browning while allowing the strawberries to continue cooking.
• Ensuring even roasting: To ensure that the strawberries roast evenly, make sure to spread them out in a single layer and avoid overcrowding.
• Adjusting sweetness: If you find that the roasted strawberries are too sweet or not sweet enough for your taste, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener used in the recipe. Remember that the sweetness of the strawberries themselves can vary, so it’s okay to tailor the recipe to your preferences.
• Testing for doneness: To avoid undercooking or overcooking the strawberries, periodically check them during the roasting process. They should be softened and juicy with slightly caramelized edges when done. If they’re still firm or lack caramelization, continue roasting them for a few more minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.

FAQ

Serving suggestions

Their sweet and intensified flavor can enhance a wide range of dishes and desserts. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

• Breakfast Topping: Elevate your breakfast or brunch by topping freshly made waffles or ricotta pancakes with a generous spoonful of roasted strawberries.
• Dessert Topping: Enhance your dessert experience by drizzling the luscious roasted strawberry mixture over a slice of Italian sponge cake, Italian ricotta cheesecake, pound or chiffon cake.
• Easy Dessert: For a quick and easy dessert idea, create a delightful strawberry parfait by layering creamy whipped ricotta with granola and these oven-baked strawberries.
• Decadent Treat: Spoon the mixture over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert. 

Easy recipes with strawberries

Recipe origins

If you have visited my website, you know I am a big fan of roasting vegetables. Whether it’s roasting beets, slow-roasting tomatoes, or oven-baked fennel, there’s something magical about the transformative power of the oven.

During one of these experiments, I stumbled upon the idea of roasting underripe strawberries, and as they say, the rest is history. 

So, if you ever have a batch of lackluster strawberries, elevate their taste with this roasted strawberry recipe!

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for roasted strawberries, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe