Air-Fried Garlic: A Quick, Crispy, And Delicious Treat

Roasted garlic is a delicious addition to many dishes, from pasta to salad dressings, and can even be used as a spread on bread. Air frying garlic is an easy and quick way to roast garlic, taking only 20-25 minutes. The cloves are exposed by slicing off the top of the bulb, before being drizzled in olive oil, wrapped in foil, and placed in the air fryer. The roasted garlic can then be squeezed out of the bulb and stored in the fridge or freezer.

Choosing the right garlic

First, look for firm heads of garlic that feel heavy for their size. Avoid garlic bulbs that are soft, shrivelled, or have sprouted. The outer skin should be tight and papery, with no signs of mould or moisture.

Next, check the colour of the cloves. Ideally, you want to choose bulbs with cloves that are uniformly coloured, either pure white or off-white. Avoid garlic with cloves that have discoloured spots or patches, as this may indicate spoilage.

Size also matters when selecting garlic. Look for bulbs that are uniform in size, with cloves that are plump and intact. Smaller cloves tend to have a stronger flavour, while larger cloves can provide a milder taste. Choose the size that suits your preference.

Additionally, pay attention to the aroma of the garlic. Fresh garlic should have a pungent, spicy fragrance. If the garlic has a weak or mouldy odour, it is best to avoid it.

Lastly, consider the type of garlic. There are two main types: softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic is the most common variety found in grocery stores. It has a milder flavour and can be stored for longer periods. Hardneck garlic, on the other hand, has a stronger flavour and is often preferred by garlic enthusiasts. It has larger, easier-to-peel cloves. If you can find it, try using hardneck garlic for a more intense flavour in your roasted garlic dishes.

By following these tips, you can choose the right garlic to ensure your roasted garlic cloves turn out soft, buttery, and full of flavour.

Preparing the garlic

Firstly, you will need to cut the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves. Make sure you cut far enough down so that all the cloves are slightly exposed. This step is important as it ensures that all the cloves will reach the desired level of caramelization.

Next, place each garlic bulb on a square piece of aluminium foil. Drizzle each bulb with a good quality oil, such as extra virgin olive oil. You will need about 1 tablespoon of oil per bulb, enough to coat the exposed cloves and drip down the outside of the bulb.

At this point, you can also add other seasonings to the garlic. A pinch of salt is a simple addition that enhances the flavour of the roasted garlic. You could also add some fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil, for extra flavour.

Now, wrap the garlic bulbs tightly in the foil. This step is important as it helps to contain the garlic and oil, preventing mess in your air fryer. It also ensures that the garlic cooks evenly and absorbs the flavours of the oil and seasonings.

Once your garlic is prepared, it's time to move on to the cooking process. Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F (190-198°C). Place the foil-wrapped garlic bulbs directly in the air fryer basket or on the shelf, depending on the type of air fryer you have.

Roast the garlic for 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The garlic is done when the top of the bulb starts to caramelize and turn golden brown. Carefully remove the garlic from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs, as it will be very hot.

Let the garlic cool for at least 10 minutes before handling. Then, carefully unwrap the foil and gently squeeze the bottom of the garlic bulb to pop out the softened cloves. Your roasted garlic is now ready to use or store for later!

Air-frying the garlic

Ingredients

• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt (optional)
• Pepper (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Aluminium foil
• Tongs
• Oven mitts

Method

• Cut the top off the head of garlic.
• Place the garlic on a square piece of aluminium foil.
• Drizzle olive oil on top and season with salt and pepper (optional).
• Wrap the garlic in the foil, creating a pouch.
• Preheat the air fryer to between 380-400°F (190-198°C).
• Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the air fryer.
• Air fry for 15-25 minutes, until the garlic is soft and the top is golden brown.
• Carefully open the foil pouch, as hot steam will escape.
• Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the garlic cloves from their shells by gently squeezing the bottom of the garlic bulb.

Tips

• You can store leftover garlic cloves in an airtight container, covered in olive oil, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• You can also freeze roasted garlic bulbs in a freezer-safe container for later use in homemade vegetable scrap broth.

Removing the garlic from its skin

Firstly, it is important to allow the garlic to cool for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. The garlic will be extremely hot, so using oven mitts or tongs is essential to avoid burns. Once the garlic has cooled, you can begin the process of removing the cloves from their skins.

Using your fingers, gently squeeze the bottom of the roasted garlic bulb. The cloves should easily slide out of their shells. If they do not come out easily, you can try gently squeezing the sides of the bulb as well. Be careful not to use too much force, as the cloves are soft and can be crushed.

Once removed, the garlic cloves can be stored in an airtight container and covered with olive oil. This will help to preserve them and can also create garlic-infused oil, which can be used in cooking. Alternatively, the cloves can be frozen for future use.

Storing and freezing the garlic

Storing and freezing garlic is a great way to save time and money, and it can be done in several ways.

Firstly, it is important to note that garlic should not be refrigerated for more than 4-5 days, as the flavour and texture worsen and it can even become toxic. Freezing is a much better option if you have a large amount of garlic to store.

One way to freeze garlic is to make a garlic paste. Peel and chop the garlic, removing any green sprouts, then use a food processor to create a paste. Transfer the paste into small freezer bags, or other freezer-safe containers, and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Another method is to mix the garlic with oil. This is a good option if you usually cook with olive oil anyway. Simply add peeled garlic cloves and olive oil to a food processor and pulse until the cloves are chopped. Then, scoop out teaspoons of the mixture and place them on a baking sheet. Put this in the freezer for a couple of hours, then transfer the frozen teaspoons to a freezer bag.

You can also freeze whole unpeeled garlic bulbs, individual unpeeled cloves, or individual peeled cloves. If you choose to freeze whole bulbs, you can then roast them in the air fryer straight from frozen.

When it comes to storing roasted garlic cloves, these can be kept in an airtight container, glass jar, or freezer bag and stored in the fridge or freezer. Cover the cloves in olive oil and they should last up to two weeks in the fridge and six months in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions