Air-Frying Garlic: Is It Possible?

Roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used in pasta, bread, vegetables, and more. It is possible to roast garlic in an air fryer, and it is a quick and easy way to add flavor to your dishes. The cooking time is significantly reduced compared to traditional oven roasting, and it won't heat up your kitchen in the same way.

How to roast garlic in an air fryer

Roasted garlic is a delicious addition to any dish, and using an air fryer to roast garlic cloves is a convenient way to cook one of your favorite foods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast garlic in an air fryer:

Preparation:

First, separate the cloves from the whole head of garlic. You can also use individual garlic cloves. Peel the papery skin from the raw garlic cloves, or you can leave them unpeeled and peel them after they are roasted. Place the cloves on a piece of aluminium foil. If you are using a whole garlic bulb, keep it in its shell and slice off the bottom of the bulb to expose the inner cloves.

Seasoning:

Drizzle olive oil over the garlic cloves so that they are evenly coated. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over the garlic.

Cooking:

Wrap the garlic in the foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer to between 380-400°F (190-198°C). When the air fryer is preheated, add the garlic and cook for 15-25 minutes. The garlic is ready when it is soft and creamy, so check the texture of the garlic after 15 minutes and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Serving:

Remove the garlic from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs, as the air fryer will be hot. Let the garlic cool for at least 10 minutes. Carefully unwrap the foil and squeeze out the garlic cloves. You can also use a small spoon to scoop out the garlic from each clove. Roasted garlic cloves are freezer-friendly, so you can make large batches and freeze them in portions for future use.

The benefits of roasting garlic in an air fryer

Roasting garlic in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to add flavour to your dishes. The process is simple and can be done in large batches, with the roasted garlic cloves being freezer-friendly.

One of the main benefits of using an air fryer to roast garlic is the reduced cooking time. Roasting garlic in an oven can take up to an hour, whereas an air fryer can produce the same result in under 30 minutes. This is because the air fryer's cooking time is nearly halved compared to a traditional oven.

Another advantage of using an air fryer is its convenience. The preparation is minimal, and it doesn't heat up your kitchen like a traditional oven. You can also control the level of garlic flavour by roasting individual cloves, which cook even faster.

Roasted garlic has a more mellow and buttery flavour compared to raw garlic, making it a great substitute in recipes that call for fresh garlic. It can be added to pasta sauces, mashed potatoes, or used for garlic toast. The roasted garlic cloves can be squeezed out and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for later use.

How to store roasted garlic

Roasted garlic can be stored in a few different ways, depending on how long you want to keep it for and whether you want to store it with olive oil.

If you want to store roasted garlic in the refrigerator, you can keep it in a jar or an airtight container. If you want to store the garlic cloves in olive oil, make sure they are completely covered and submerged. This will act as a preservative and prevent the garlic from spoiling by isolating it from the air. However, do not store garlic in olive oil at room temperature as this provides the perfect conditions for producing botulism toxin. Roasted garlic stored this way will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 to 10 days. If you don't want to store the garlic in olive oil, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.

If you want to store roasted garlic for longer, you can freeze it. Place the garlic cloves in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. You can take out as many cloves as you need at a time and leave them at room temperature to thaw before using.

How to freeze roasted garlic

Roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used to enhance the flavor of various dishes, from mashed potatoes to garlic bread. If you've roasted garlic in an air fryer and want to preserve it for later use, freezing is an excellent option. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to freeze roasted garlic:

• Prepare the Garlic Cloves: Start by peeling and separating the garlic cloves. You can leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces, depending on your preference.
• Seasoning and Oil: Place the cloves on a piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle the garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also add other dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil for additional flavor. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the seasoned garlic.
• Wrap and Air Fry: Wrap the garlic cloves tightly in the aluminum foil, ensuring they are completely covered. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). Once preheated, place the foil bundle into the air fryer. Roast the garlic for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your air fryer's temperature.
• Cool and Store: After air frying, carefully remove the garlic bundle using oven mitts or tongs to protect your hands from the heat. Allow the garlic to cool for at least 10 minutes. Then, open the foil and squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins. Place the roasted garlic cloves into a freezer-safe container or bag.
• Freeze: Label the container or bag with the date and store it in the freezer. Roasted garlic can be frozen for up to six months.

By following these steps, you can conveniently preserve your roasted garlic and use it whenever you need to add a savory, buttery flavor to your dishes.

What to eat roasted garlic with

Roasted garlic has a sweet, nutty, and mellow flavour, and is easier to digest than raw garlic. It is a great ingredient to add to many dishes, and can be used in several ways. Here are some ideas for what to eat roasted garlic with:

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted garlic can be added to mashed potatoes to give them a rich, buttery flavour.

Bread

Spread roasted garlic on toast or bread for a quick snack. You can also add a light sprinkling of salt.

Sauces

Roasted garlic can be added to a variety of sauces, such as tomato sauce, tahini sauce, or even blended with olive oil to make garlic oil. You can also add it to a jar of olive oil to infuse the oil with garlic flavour.

Soups

Roasted garlic can be added to soups to give them a deeper flavour. You can also try making a roasted garlic and buttercup squash soup.

Dips

Roasted garlic can be added to dips such as hummus or pesto.

Pasta

Roasted garlic can be added to pasta dishes for a rich, garlicky flavour. You can also make a roasted garlic paste by blending the garlic cloves with oil in a food processor and storing it in the fridge or freezer. This paste can then be added to pasta dishes or even spread under the skin of chicken before roasting.

Vegetables

Roasted garlic can be added to roasted vegetables or infused into olive oil and then drizzled over vegetables. It also goes well with corn on the cob.

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