How to Make an Heirloom Tomato Flight

Summertime marks the peak of heirloom tomato season, and creators on social media are making the most of this vibrant, juicy fruit with a fresh new twist—tomato flights. This trend features beautifully colored and uniquely shaped heirloom tomatoes, sliced into thick rounds, and topped with a variety of cheeses, cured meats, vegetables, spreads, and more. Each slice is a canvas for bold and flavorful pairings.

This simple yet delicious summer snack is perfect for sharing with friends and family. To help you join in on the trend, we’re sharing tips for how to assemble your own heirloom tomato flight at home, along with some of our favorite flavor combinations.

What Is a Heirloom Tomato Flight?

A “flight” is a food concept that lets you sample different flavor combinations of a single type of dish. You can turn many dishes into flights, from tartines to open-faced sandwiches, and more.

The secret to building a great flight is the base—in this case, thick slices of heirloom tomato. These sturdy, colorful rounds act as the perfect vehicle for piling on cheese, cured meats, vegetables, and more. Heirloom tomatoes are particularly well suited for flights thanks to their size.

With tomato flights, each slice often features a different flavor theme. Many creators, such as @alessandrabrontsema, have drawn inspiration from Greek and Italian cuisine. In the video above, she assembles a flight with slices topped in the style of a Caprese sandwich, using mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze and olive oil. Another slice channels a Greek salad, layered with crumbled feta, cucumber slices, and Kalamata olives.

How to Make a Heirloom Tomato Flight

Assembling a tomato flight is simple and requires just a few easy steps. Start by washing a large heirloom tomato and slicing it evenly into four or six thick rounds, depending on your size preference. Arrange the slices on a plate or cutting board for easy serving. Sprinkle each slice with a pinch of flaky salt, and begin adding your toppings.

When choosing toppings, the possibilities are endless. From cheese and cured meats to pickled vegetables and fresh herbs, there are no hard rules to follow—just try not to overload each slice to avoid messy bites or worse, a broken tomato.

To help inspire your first heirloom tomato flight, we’re sharing five standout flavor combinations below that are sure to impress and keep you coming back to this simple, seasonal snack.

Flavorful Flight Combinations to Try

1. Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, flaky salt, and olive oil
2. Cream cheese, smoked salmon lox, red onion, capers, and fresh dill
3. Burrata cheese, thinly sliced peaches, prosciutto, and a drizzle of hot honey
4. Feta cheese, cucumber slices, halved black or Kalamata olives, flaky salt, and olive oil
5. Cottage cheese, turkey deli meat, cucumber slices, and salt and pepper to taste