Air fryer roasted garlic offers a quick and simple method to transform the spicy raw garlic into soft, golden nuggets bursting with a sweet and mellow flavor. Whether you’re a home cook looking to jazz up your favorite pasta dishes or a garlic enthusiast who puts it on everything, you will love this easy way to roast garlic.
Roasting garlic in your air fryer saves time since it infuses the cloves with a delightful roasted character in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven. It is super simple, and once it is roasted, you just have to push on cloves to pop them out of their skin.
We’ll cover everything from choosing the best head of garlic to the step-by-step instructions. And, of course, we’ll suggest some mouth-watering recipes where you can put it to good use, along with how to freeze it so you can enjoy it anytime.
Looking for delicious garlicky recipes? Try garlic mashed potatoes, air fryer garlic knots, garlic balls stuffed with mozzarella, and artichokes with garlic aioli.
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🧄Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Fresh garlic: Choose a head of garlic that is firm and has tight skin. The larger the cloves, the more flavor they will produce.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil works best for this recipe. It adds a beautiful aroma and helps it roast evenly.
- Kosher salt: If you don’t have kosher salt, you can use sea salt or regular table salt.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Roasted Garlic
- Use a sharp knife to slice off the top of the bulb. This will expose the tops of the individual cloves and allow the oil and salt to penetrate better.
- Next, place the garlic bulb on a piece of foil to keep the oil and juices contained and make clean-up easier.
- Pour the olive oil over the bulb’s top, ensuring it seeps into the cloves.
- Sprinkle the bulb with kosher salt. Wrap the foil around the bulb, creating a small packet. Make sure it is completely sealed to keep the heat and flavors locked in.
- Place the packet in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the cloves are soft and caramelized.
- Once the garlic is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool. When it’s cool enough to handle, squeeze the head from the bottom up. The cloves will detach easily from the papery skin. The roasted garlic can be used whole or mashed with a fork.
🍴Serving Ideas
Air fryer roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used so many different dishes! Here are some of my favorite serving ideas:
- Make garlic compound butter: Adding a few cloves of garlic to butter turns it from a simple spread into a gourmet ingredient, perfect for spreading on corn or steak.
- Spread on Toast: Toast a slice of your favorite bread and spread the roasted garlic on top for a simple yet flavorful snack.
- Pasta: Toss it in with your favorite pasta, from basic spaghetti and meatballs to baked manicotti. It will give your Italian dish a rich, deep flavor.
- Pizza: Use it as a topping on homemade pizza. This will add an extra layer of flavor that will make your pizza stand out.
- Salad Dressing: Mix it with olive oil, vinegar, and some seasonings to make a delicious salad dressing.
- Mashed potatoes: Mash them into homemade or store-bought mashed potatoes for fantastic flavor.
- Vegetable side dishes: Toss it with roasted vegetables for enhanced flavor combinations.
- Garlic bread: Mix it with butter, spread it on a loaf of crusty bread, and then air fry until crispy.
- Dips and spreads: It can be used in various dips like whipped feta dip, hummus or spreads like aioli.
💭How to Store
Storing roasted cloves properly can ensure their longevity and maintain their flavor. Once the roasted garlic has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It can last for up to two weeks.
🧊How to Freeze Roasted Garlic
For more extended storage, you can freeze the cloves. Mash the garlic with a fork or puree it in a food processor. Mix in a little bit of olive oil if you like and portion it into ice cube trays.
A standard ice cube tray will hold about 1 tablespoon of garlic. Freeze until firm, then pop the cubes out of the tray and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months. Add them to soups, stews, or pasta dishes without thawing.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Choose the freshest garlic bulbs with larger heads and firm, tight skin for the best results. Avoid ones that are soft or have loose skin, as they may already be past their prime.
- After roasting, allow the garlic to cool for a few minutes before handling. This makes it easier to squeeze out the roasted cloves and also prevents any accidental burns.
- If you use your air fryer roasted garlic for making compound butter, let it completely cool first so it doesn’t melt the butter when mixed in.
- You can roast a bunch of garlic heads at once in the air fryer. I prefer to put each each in its own garlic foil packet.
📝FAQ
Generally, it takes about 15-20 minutes in an air fryer. However, the exact time can vary depending on the bulb size and your air fryer’s specific model.
Nope, it has the same nutritional value as oven-roasted garlic. It will be ready faster, though!
Yes, you can use any oil for air frying garlic. However, olive oil is a popular choice due to its rich flavor and because the flavors blend so well.
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Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice off the top of the garlic head. This will let the salt and oil reach the individual cloves.1 head garlic
- Put the bulb on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle the oil on and season with salt.1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Wrap the foil tightly around the bulb. Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until soft. Unwrap it and set it aside to cool.
- When it is cool enough to handle, squeeze the head from the bottom, and the individual garlic cloves should squish out.
- Store the roasted garlic in the fridge for 2 weeks, adding it to your favorite recipes.
Notes
- For the best results, choose the freshest garlic bulbs that are large, firm, and have tight skin. Avoid ones that are soft or have loose skin, as they may already be past their prime.
- After roasting, allow it to cool for a few minutes before handling. This makes it easier to squeeze out the roasted garlic cloves and also prevents any accidental burns.
- If you use it for making compound butter, let it completely cool first so it doesn’t melt the butter when mixed in.
- You can roast a bunch of garlic heads at once in the air fryer. I prefer to put each cheat in its own foil packet.
How to Freeze
For extended periods of storage, you can freeze roasted garlic. Mash the garlic with a fork or puree it in a food processor. Mix in a little bit of olive oil if you like and portion it into ice cube trays. A standard ice cube tray will hold about 1 tablespoon. Freeze until firm, then pop the cubes out of the tray and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months. Add them to soups, stews, or pasta dishes without thawing.As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
