WHAT’S FOR A SWEET SNACK?
Roasted Strawberries
Array/5
COOK TIME
17 min
TOTAL TIME
25 min
SERVINGS
1 lb strawberries
These homemade Roasted Strawberries are warm, juicy, and pop with sweet vanilla flavor and are almost like strawberry jam but way easier! They take just minutes to prepare and taste amazing spooned over ice cream, yogurt, or straight from the dish. If you’ve never roasted strawberries before, this is your sign to do it!
Strawberries always take me back to my Grandma June’s kitchen. She kept frozen strawberries in juice stocked in the freezer at all times, and when she’d thaw them out in a bowl, they turned soft, syrupy, and super sweet. I’d sit at the table and eat them one by one! That sweet, bright red juice at the bottom? I could’ve sipped it like a drink, it was the best part!
I’ve always loved topping yogurt or ice cream with fruit, but there’s something about the soft, warm kind that just hits different. Regular strawberries are great, but when they’re roasted, they turn into something magical. They become jammy, juicy, rich, and concentrated with that classic strawberry flavor.
Why Roast Strawberries?
Learning how to roast strawberries is one of the easiest ways to bring out their natural sweetness and create a syrupy texture that’s perfect for topping or mixing into different recipes. The heat softens the berries, caramelizes the sugars, and gives them this deep, rich flavor that fresh strawberries just can’t match. Whether you’re layering them on toast, adding them to oatmeal, stirring into yogurt, or piling onto ice cream, roasted strawberries are a quick and easy way to level up so many everyday snacks and desserts and a great way to use strawberries in season!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Fresh Strawberries – Fresh strawberries roast beautifully, becoming soft, juicy, and extra sweet. If yours are a little tart, roasting will mellow that out and concentrate all the good stuff.
Sugar – A little sugar helps draw out the juices and caramelize the strawberries while they roast, giving them that jammy, syrupy finish.
Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and a subtle flavor that pairs perfectly with the strawberries. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference in the way the strawberries taste and how well they pair with the foods you use them with.
How To Roast Strawberries In The Oven
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grab a pie dish, small baking dish, or oven-safe skillet.
Prep the strawberries: Rinse and dry 1 pound of fresh strawberries. Cut off the green stems, then slice the berries in halves or quarters depending on their size. Smaller pieces roast faster and get extra jammy.
Add the flavor: Place the cut strawberries in your baking dish. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar and drizzle 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract over the top. Gently stir everything together until the strawberries are well coated.
Roast the strawberries: Transfer the dish to the oven and roast for 15 to 17 minutes. The strawberries will soften, release their juices, and start to bubble slightly. This is what creates that thick, sweet strawberry syrup.
Cool and serve: Remove the roasted strawberries from the oven and give them a gentle stir. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Use ripe strawberries for the sweetest, most flavorful batch. If they smell like strawberries, they’ll roast beautifully.
Pat the strawberries dry after rinsing to keep excess water from thinning out the syrupy juices.
Cutting the strawberries into similar-sized pieces helps them roast evenly and keeps smaller pieces from overcooking.
Stir the strawberries gently before and after roasting to keep them from breaking down too much.
A glass or ceramic baking dish works best because it distributes heat evenly and keeps the juices from burning.Don’t skip the vanilla! It infuses into the juice as it bakes and creates the most delicious warm flavor.
Roast uncovered so the strawberries can caramelize slightly on top and release steam for that thick, sticky syrup.
Line the baking dish with parchment paper if you’re using a metal pan to keep the strawberries from sticking or over-browning.
Let the strawberries cool slightly before serving to thicken the juices and make scooping easier.
Ways To Customize
Add a splash of balsamic vinegar before roasting for a grown-up twist that deepens the flavor and gives the syrupy strawberries a tangy taste.
Toss in some chopped rhubarb with the strawberries if you love that classic sweet-tart combo. The rhubarb breaks down as it roasts and turns this into a summer pie filling.
Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract if you want that bakery-style flavor. Just a little goes a long way and it brings out a cherry-like richness that pairs well with the berries.
Use maple syrup or honey in place of the sugar for a naturally sweet version. The syrup blends into the strawberry juices and makes an even more thick sauce.
Sprinkle in a bit of cinnamon or ground cardamom before roasting to add a warm, spiced layer..
Add a few torn basil leaves or mint after the strawberries come out of the oven to brighten things up. The herbal flavor balances the sweetness.
Mix in a handful of blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry concoction that looks beautiful and tastes like a fancy topping.
Skip the sugar completely if your strawberries are super ripe and sweet on their own. Roasting them still brings out their natural juices and gives you that warm, soft texture without any added sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon roasted strawberries over a block of warm brie or swipe them onto whipped feta for an easy appetizer that feels a little fancy but takes no time to make.
Layer them onto Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake for an extra pop of juicy berry flavor between all the creamy, crunchy layers.
Use them as a topping for Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies to replace jam with something warm, rich, and homemade.
Swirl them into a bowl of Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream or fold them into a milkshake to double up on that sweet strawberry flavor.
Scoop them onto a slice of Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie for an extra juicy topping that melts into every bite.
Pour the warm roasted strawberries and syrup over vanilla ice cream and top it off with lemon soda to turn them into a Strawberry Lemonade Ice Cream Float with a twist.
Chop and mix them into Strawberry Pretzel Cookies dough for a chewy-salty-sweet surprise.
Add a spoonful into Strawberry Cream Cheese Roll Ups for a quick brunch bite.
Top your morning Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats with warm roasted strawberries.
Blend them into Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles for extra color, flavor, and little pops of real fruit.
Storage Instructions
Once cooled, roasted strawberries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The juices will thicken slightly as they chill, making them even better for spooning over desserts, yogurt, or oatmeal throughout the week. This recipe is not good for freezing, as the strawberries become too soft and watery once thawed, and the texture of the syrup can separate. For best results, enjoy them fresh or refrigerated!
FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, frozen strawberries work well for this recipe though they may be a bit more watery. Roast them straight from frozen but add a few extra minutes to the cook time since they’ll release more moisture.
My strawberries came out too watery, what happened?
This usually happens if the strawberries were underripe or if they weren’t patted dry before roasting. Extra water dilutes the syrup, so make sure your berries are ripe and dry before baking.
Do I need to stir the strawberries during roasting?
No need to stir them while they’re roasting. Just give them a gentle stir once they come out of the oven to evenly coat them in their juices.
Do I need to line the baking dish?
Not necessarily, but lining with parchment can help with cleanup, especially if your dish tends to get sticky or if you’re roasting with sugar substitutes.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, roasted strawberries can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavor deepens over time and they reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop if you want to serve them warm.
Why roast strawberries instead of cooking them on the stovetop?
Roasting concentrates their flavor without constant stirring or risk of burning. The oven’s even heat brings out their natural sweetness and gives you that thick, jammy texture easier.
More Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups
Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts
Homemade Biscuits with Strawberry Butter
Print
Roasted Strawberries
Roasted Strawberries are an easy way to bring the rich, sweet flavor out of a fresh strawberry! Super juicy and perfect over top ice cream, yogurt or just by themselves.
Ingredients
1 pound strawberries
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut stems off strawberries and cut into halves or fourths. Place into a pie dish or small baking dish. Sprinkle sugar and vanilla and stir together to coat all the strawberries.
- Place in oven for 15-17 minutes. Remove, stir again and let cool slightly. Eat over anything! I recommend ice cream, yogurt, with granola. Enjoy!
Notes
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