Air-Frying Garlic: What You Need To Know

Yes, you can put garlic in an air fryer! In fact, it's a quick and easy way to roast garlic, taking half the time it would in an oven. To do so, cut off the top of a head of garlic to expose the cloves, place it on a sheet of aluminium foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap it up. Then, air fry at between 370-390°F for 15-25 minutes. You can also roast garlic without foil, but be aware that the oil may drip down to the bottom of the air fryer. Once roasted, the cloves can be popped out of their casings and spread on bread or crackers, added to soups, salad dressings, mashed potatoes, or used in garlic butter or aioli.

How to roast garlic in an air fryer

Roasted garlic is a great way to add extra flavour to your dishes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast garlic in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Garlic
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral oil)
• Salt
• Pepper

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Aluminium foil
• Tongs
• Oven mitts

Instructions:

• Chop off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
• Place the garlic head in the centre of the foil.
• Drizzle oil over the exposed cloves.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper over the garlic.
• Wrap the garlic in the foil, leaving the top slightly exposed.
• Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the air fryer basket. Make sure the foil is not above the maximum fill line.
• Set the air fryer to 380-390°F/190-198°C.
• Roast for 15-25 minutes. Check the garlic after 15 minutes to ensure it does not burn.
• Carefully open the foil pouch, as hot steam will escape.
• Allow the garlic to cool for a few minutes.
• Remove the garlic cloves from their shells by gently squeezing the bottom of the bulb.
• Use the roasted garlic as desired, or store it for later use.

Storing Roasted Garlic:

You can store roasted garlic cloves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. To freeze in ready-to-use portions, place the cloves in an ice cube tray, cover them with olive oil, and wrap the tray tightly with plastic wrap.

How to store roasted garlic

Roasted garlic is a delicious treat that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to soups and even as a spread on bread. But how do you store it to keep it fresh and tasty? Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your roasted garlic:

Storing Roasted Garlic Cloves:

If you have leftover roasted garlic cloves, you can store them in an airtight container, glass jar, or freezer-safe storage bag. It is recommended to cover the cloves completely with extra virgin olive oil and seal them tightly before placing them in the fridge or freezer. Roasted garlic stored this way will last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and about 6 months in the freezer.

Storing Ready-to-Use Portions:

For convenient, ready-to-use portions, consider using an ice cube tray. Place individual garlic cloves in each section of the tray and cover them with extra virgin olive oil. Wrap the tray tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. When you need to use a portion, simply pop out the desired number of garlic cubes and thaw them at room temperature before adding them to your recipes.

Storing Mashed Roasted Garlic:

If you have mashed your roasted garlic, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze mashed garlic in trays or ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen portions to an airtight container for longer-term storage. The mashed garlic will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Storing Unpeeled Roasted Garlic:

If you have roasted garlic bulbs that are still wrapped in their papery skin, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. Simply leave the cloves in the bulb, wrapped in foil, and remove them as needed.

Tips for Freezing Roasted Garlic:

When freezing roasted garlic, it is important to use freezer-safe containers or bags to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the garlic. Label the containers or bags with the date and try to use the frozen garlic within 6 months for the best flavour and texture.

How to use roasted garlic

Roasted garlic has a mellow, buttery flavour and a soft texture that makes it a versatile ingredient to cook with. Here are some ways to use roasted garlic:

Spread on Bread or Crackers

Roasted garlic can be spread on crusty bread, sourdough, or crackers for a simple, tasty snack. It can also be mixed with butter to make garlic bread.

Add to Dips

Roasted garlic can be mixed with sour cream to make a dip, or blended with olive oil to make garlic-infused oil.

Mix with Mashed Potatoes

Roasted garlic can be added to mashed potatoes for a creamy, garlicky treat.

Use in Sauces and Dips

Roasted garlic can be added to homemade tomato sauce, tahini sauce, or hummus. It can also be blended with olive oil to make a salad dressing.

Toss with Pasta

Roasted garlic can be tossed with pasta, or used in a white pizza sauce.

Add to Soups

Roasted garlic can be used to enhance the flavour of soups, such as cabbage soup, carrot soup, or cauliflower soup.

Make a Stir Fry

Roasted garlic can be added to stir-fries, such as a garlic butter chicken stir-fry.

Use in Appetizers

Roasted garlic can be served as an appetizer with bread or crackers.

Make Roasted Garlic Mayo

Roasted garlic can be blended with mayonnaise to make a sandwich spread.

Add to Pizza

Roasted garlic can be added to pizza dough or used as a topping.

Use in Vegetable Side Dishes

Roasted garlic can be added to air-fried vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, or crispy roasted baby potatoes.

Use in Meat Dishes

Roasted garlic can be added to meat dishes, such as chicken or meatballs.

Freeze for Later

Finally, if you have a lot of roasted garlic, you can freeze it for later use. Roasted garlic cloves can be stored in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to six months. They can also be frozen in olive oil, which will infuse the oil with garlic flavour.

Benefits of eating roasted garlic

Yes, you can roast garlic in an air fryer. It's quicker than using an oven and a great way to add flavour to your dishes.

Now, here are the benefits of eating roasted garlic:

Roasted garlic is a healthy food with numerous health benefits. Eating roasted garlic has many advantages, especially for men. Firstly, it does not increase cholesterol levels and can lower the risk of developing various heart diseases. Roasted garlic also prevents blood clotting by keeping the arteries clean. It is particularly beneficial for men with high blood pressure as it helps control blood pressure.

Additionally, roasted garlic boosts immunity and protects against viral and bacterial infections. This is due to the presence of zinc and vitamin C in garlic, which help fight infections. Roasted garlic is also an excellent source of magnesium and selenium, which are known to improve men's sexual health.

If you're feeling fatigued, consuming roasted garlic on an empty stomach in the morning can boost your energy levels. It is also said to boost testosterone levels.

Roasted garlic cloves are delicious as they are, but they can also be added to various dishes, including soups, salad dressings, pasta, and homemade bread.

How to keep roasted garlic from burning

Yes, you can roast garlic in an air fryer. Here are some tips to keep roasted garlic from burning:

Preparation

Before roasting, cut off the top of the head of garlic to expose the inner cloves. Place the garlic head in the centre of a piece of aluminium foil, drizzle with oil, and wrap the foil around the garlic, leaving the top slightly exposed. Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the air fryer basket, ensuring the foil is below the "max fill" line.

Cooking

Air fry at 390°F/198°C for 20-25 minutes for a large head of garlic, or 15 minutes for a small head. Check the garlic after 20 minutes and return to the air fryer for 2-minute intervals until it is ready. The garlic is ready when the top of the garlic begins to caramelise and turn golden brown.

Serving

Allow the garlic to cool for about 10 minutes before removing the cloves from their shells. To remove the cloves, gently squeeze the bottom of the roasted garlic bulb.

Storage

To store leftover roasted garlic cloves, place them in an airtight container, glass jar, or freezer bag and cover with extra virgin olive oil. Roasted garlic will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if submerged in oil, or in the freezer for about 6 months.

Frequently asked questions