Posted by The Ultimate Guide to Roasting Garlic in an Air Fryer
Garlic is a culinary powerhouse. Its rich, aromatic flavor enhances countless dishes, from pastas to roasted vegetables, and even bread. While roasting garlic traditionally in the oven can take a significant amount of time, the air fryer provides a faster, more efficient way to achieve that same delicious roasted garlic with a beautifully caramelized flavor and soft, spreadable texture. Whether you’re preparing garlic for a savory pasta, topping a loaf of fresh bread, or adding a finishing touch to your roasted vegetables, roasting garlic in the air fryer is a game-changer. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily make roasted garlic in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Roasting Garlic?
The air fryer is an incredibly versatile appliance that cooks food quickly and evenly by circulating hot air. It’s great for achieving crispy textures and for cooking food in less time than a conventional oven. When it comes to roasting garlic, the air fryer works exceptionally well because it ensures that the garlic bulb cooks evenly, turning the cloves into soft, golden brown gems that can be easily squeezed out of their skins. Plus, it takes much less time than traditional oven roasting, saving you time in the kitchen.
Another benefit of using an air fryer is that it doesn’t heat up the kitchen as much as an oven would. If you’re cooking on a hot day or preparing multiple dishes, the air fryer keeps things cool and convenient. In addition to faster cooking, it requires minimal prep work, making it the perfect solution for busy cooks who love the flavor of roasted garlic but don’t want to spend too much time preparing it.
Ingredients for Roasted Garlic in an Air Fryer
To roast garlic in the air fryer, you only need two simple ingredients:
- Garlic Bulb: The key ingredient is, of course, garlic! Choose a whole garlic bulb with firm, unblemished cloves. Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor when roasted.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil helps to ensure the garlic roasts evenly and prevents it from drying out. It also adds a subtle richness to the garlic. You can use extra virgin olive oil for its superior taste, but regular olive oil works just fine for this purpose.
Step-by-Step Process for Roasting Garlic in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Bulb
Before you begin, make sure you have a good, fresh garlic bulb. To prepare it for roasting, start by cutting off the top of the garlic bulb (the part where the garlic cloves are exposed). Make sure you slice it in such a way that the inner cloves are visible. Cutting off the top will allow the olive oil to coat the exposed cloves, ensuring they cook evenly and get that delicious caramelized flavor. Be careful not to slice too much off; you want enough of the bulb intact so it holds together.
Step 2: Wrap the Garlic in Foil
After cutting the top off, take a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap the entire bulb. Place the garlic bulb in the center of the foil. Drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil over the cut side of the garlic, making sure the oil soaks into the exposed cloves and drips down into the outer layers of the bulb. This will help the garlic to cook properly and prevent it from becoming too dry during the roasting process.
Once the garlic is well-coated with oil, tightly wrap it in the foil, ensuring that it’s fully sealed. This will trap the heat and moisture, allowing the garlic to roast evenly and soften up beautifully.
Step 3: Air Fry the Garlic
Now that your garlic is prepped, it’s time to cook it. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (198°C). This temperature is ideal for roasting garlic, as it allows the cloves to become soft and caramelized without burning the outside.
Place the wrapped garlic bulb into the air fryer basket or tray. You don’t need to worry about overcrowding, as the air fryer circulates hot air around the garlic, ensuring even cooking. Set the timer for 20 to 25 minutes. Check the garlic halfway through to make sure it’s roasting evenly. After 20 minutes, the garlic should begin to caramelize and turn golden brown. You’ll know it’s done when the outside is crispy and the cloves are soft and easily squeezed out of their skins.
Step 4: Cool and Squeeze the Garlic
Once the garlic is roasted to perfection, carefully remove the foil-wrapped bulb from the air fryer using tongs or oven mitts, as it will be quite hot. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before handling. When ready to use, gently squeeze the roasted garlic bulb, and the cloves will easily slide out of their skins. The cloves will have a rich, buttery texture and a sweet, caramelized flavor that makes them perfect for adding to pasta, bread, roasted vegetables, or even spreading onto toast.
Step 5: Storing Leftover Roasted Garlic
If you have any leftover roasted garlic, you can store it in the fridge for up to 10 days or freeze it for up to 6 months. To freeze roasted garlic, place the cloves in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer. The garlic will be ready to use whenever you need it. Just thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature, and it will be just as delicious as when it was first roasted.
Tips for the Best Roasted Garlic in the Air Fryer
- Use Fresh Garlic: For the best flavor and texture, always use fresh garlic bulbs. Avoid any bulbs with signs of sprouting or soft spots.
- Adjust Cooking Time for Larger Bulbs: If you’re roasting a larger garlic bulb, you may need to cook it for an extra 5-10 minutes. Check for doneness by gently squeezing the garlic cloves to see if they are soft.
- Make More at Once: You can easily roast multiple garlic bulbs at once. Just be sure to wrap each one in foil and leave enough space for proper air circulation in the air fryer.
- Customize the Flavor: While olive oil is the most common oil used for roasting garlic, feel free to experiment with other oils, such as avocado oil or even infused oils, to add unique flavors to your roasted garlic.
Health Benefits of Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic is not only delicious, but it also comes with a number of health benefits. Garlic is known for its ability to boost the immune system, fight inflammation, and even improve heart health. When garlic is roasted, its strong flavor becomes milder and sweeter, making it easier to incorporate into a variety of dishes without overwhelming the taste. Plus, roasted garlic is much easier to digest than raw garlic, so it’s a great option for people who may have difficulty with the more pungent raw variety.
Popular Ways to Use Roasted Garlic
Now that you’ve mastered roasting garlic in the air fryer, here are a few ways you can use it in your cooking:
- Pasta Dishes: Add roasted garlic cloves to your pasta sauces for a rich, caramelized depth of flavor. You can also mash the garlic and toss it with olive oil and herbs for a quick garlic bread spread.
- Vegetable Dishes: Roasted garlic pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Simply squeeze the roasted garlic over the vegetables before serving.
- Dipping Oil: Use roasted garlic to make a savory dipping oil for bread. Simply mash the garlic with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and serve it with crusty bread.
- Sandwiches and Toast: Spread roasted garlic on toasted bread or add it to sandwiches for an extra burst of flavor.
Part 2: Simple Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic bulb
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Garlic: Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the inner cloves.
- Wrap the Garlic: Drizzle olive oil over the cut garlic and wrap it tightly in aluminum foil.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (198°C). Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: The garlic should be golden and soft. Remove it from the air fryer using tongs or mitts.
- Squeeze and Serve: Allow the garlic to cool, then gently squeeze out the cloves. Use in pasta, bread, vegetables, or as a spread.
Enjoy your quick and flavorful roasted garlic from the air fryer!
This recipe simplifies the process of roasting garlic, allowing you to enjoy its sweet, caramelized flavor in a fraction of the time it takes using a conventional oven. Perfect for adding to your favorite dishes or just for spreading on toast, air fryer roasted garlic is an essential addition to any kitchen.
