Air-Fryer Garlic: The Perfect Roast Timing

Roasted garlic is a delicious addition to many dishes, from pasta to soups and salad dressings. It is also a great snack on its own. Roasting garlic in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to add flavour to your dishes. It takes between 15 to 30 minutes to roast garlic in an air fryer, depending on the size of the garlic head. The air fryer should be preheated to between 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Garlic heads are cut at the top to expose the cloves, then drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before being wrapped in foil and placed in the air fryer.

How to prepare garlic for air frying

Air frying garlic is a quick and easy way to add flavour to many dishes. Roasted garlic is more mellow in flavour than raw garlic, with a buttery, savoury taste. It is a great addition to soups, salad dressings, pasta, homemade bread, and more.

Ingredients and Equipment:

You will need a whole head of garlic, oil (extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil are recommended), aluminium foil, oven mitts, and tongs.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1:

Slice off the top of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Place the garlic on a square piece of foil. Drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves, and add a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired. Wrap the garlic head tightly in the foil.

Step 2:

Preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F. When preheated, place the foil-wrapped garlic into the air fryer basket or on the shelf.

Step 3:

Air fry for 15-25 minutes, until the garlic is soft and the top of the bulb is golden brown. Carefully remove the garlic from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs, and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 4:

Unwrap the foil and gently squeeze the garlic bulb to remove the cloves. Use the roasted garlic as desired, or store it for later.

Storage:

Roasted garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months. For freezer storage, it is recommended to cover the cloves in olive oil to help preserve them.

The best oils to use for 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 best oils to use when roasting garlic in an air fryer are extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, and other neutral oils.

First, cut the top off the head of garlic and place it on a square piece of aluminium foil. Drizzle olive oil on top and season with salt and pepper. Close the ends of the foil over the garlic, creating a pouch. Preheat the air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the foil bundle into the air fryer and roast for 16 to 25 minutes, until the garlic is soft and golden brown. Carefully open the foil pouch, as hot steam will escape. Let the garlic cool for about 10 minutes. Finally, remove the garlic cloves from their shells and use as desired.

You can also roast garlic in an air fryer without using foil. Simply rub the whole garlic bulbs with oil and air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until the garlic is caramelised. However, this method can be a bit messier as the oil may drip down to the bottom of the air fryer.

How long to roast garlic in an air fryer

Roasting garlic in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to add flavour to your dishes. It is also a healthier alternative to roasting garlic in an oven, as it requires less oil and has a shorter cooking time.

Preparation

First, cut the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves inside. Place each garlic bulb on a square piece of aluminium foil. Drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves, and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic bulbs tightly in the foil.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 370 to 400°F. When preheated, place the foil-wrapped garlic bulbs in the air fryer basket or on the shelf. Roast for 15 to 25 minutes, until the garlic is soft and the top of the bulb is golden brown.

Serving

Allow the garlic to cool for at least 10 minutes. Carefully unwrap the foil and gently squeeze the garlic bulb to slide the cloves out of their shells. Serve as a spread on bread or crackers, or add to soups, salad dressings, mashed potatoes, and more.

Storage

Roasted garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or frozen for up to six months.

How to store roasted garlic

Storing roasted garlic is fairly straightforward, and there are a few different methods you can use. Here is a detailed guide on how to store roasted garlic:

Storing Roasted Garlic in the Fridge

If you're looking to store roasted garlic in the short term, there are a couple of effective methods you can use. One option is to simply place the garlic heads in a Ziplock bag or plastic container and store them in the refrigerator. Ensure that the cloves remain inside their protective outer peel. This method will keep your roasted garlic fresh for up to three days.

Another option for short-term storage is to cover the garlic with oil and store it in a sealed canister in the fridge. Place the roasted garlic cloves in an airtight container and pour enough olive oil over them to completely submerge the cloves. This method will keep your garlic fresh for about a week. However, it's important to note that you should never store garlic in oil at room temperature, as this can create favourable conditions for botulism-causing bacteria to grow.

Storing Roasted Garlic in the Freezer

If you're looking to store roasted garlic for a longer period, freezing is a great option. First, remove the outer skins from the garlic cloves and place them on a baking sheet. Pop the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, then gather the frozen cloves and place them in a Ziplock bag or freezer-safe container. With this method, your roasted garlic will last for up to 10-12 months in the freezer.

Additionally, you can freeze roasted garlic cloves in ice cube trays for easy-to-use portions. Simply mash the cloves and scoop them into the ice cube tray, then cover them with olive oil and freeze. Once frozen, pop out the individual portions and store them together in a Ziplock bag. This method is convenient for adding a quick burst of flavour to your dishes.

What to serve roasted garlic with

Roasted garlic has a sweet and mellow flavour and can be used to enhance a variety of recipes and dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve it with:

Breads

Roasted garlic can be spread on crusty bread or baguette slices as a tasty and simple appetiser. It can also be used to make garlic bread, or added to pizza dough for a sweet and mellow flavour.

Dips and Spreads

Mix roasted garlic into hummus, guacamole, or sour cream-based dips for a flavourful twist. It can also be blended with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs to create a salad dressing.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes can be enhanced by adding a few roasted garlic cloves to the mix for a savoury and aromatic side dish.

Soups and Stews

Roasted garlic can be pureed and added to soups and stews to infuse them with a deep, rich flavour. It can also be used to make garlic butter, which can be spread on corn on the cob.

Sauces

Roasted garlic can be mixed into tomato sauces, pesto, or creamy pasta sauces for an extra layer of flavour.

Proteins

Roasted garlic can be stuffed into a juicy steak, chicken, or lamb before baking, roasting, or grilling. It can also be mixed into hamburger meat and tossed on the grill.

Vegetables

Roasted garlic can be cooked with carrots and other delicious veggies. It can also be added to roasted broccoli and garlic with feta cheese, or roasted baby potatoes with rosemary.

Other

Other ideas include mixing roasted garlic into mac and cheese, hummus, mustard, jam, or mayonnaise, adding it to gravy, or using it to make a flatbread with gorgonzola crumbles.

Frequently asked questions