Roasting garlic in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get deliciously soft, sweet garlic cloves. An air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook food, allowing you to roast garlic faster than in the oven. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the garlic, giving it a mellow, slightly sweet flavor. Plus, no oil is required when cooking in an air fryer.
How To Roast Garlic In Air Fryer? It’s simpler than you think! With just a few minutes in a hot air fryer, you can transform fresh garlic bulbs into tender, fragrant perfection. The key is exposing all the individual cloves to the fryer’s super-heated airflow. As the heat permeates each clove, it brings out garlic’s hidden sweetness and tones down its pungent bite. Before you know it, you’ll have a batch of roasted garlic ready to squeeze onto everything from bruschetta to pasta. So if you love garlic flavor, it’s time to learn this easy air fryer method.
Roasting garlic in an air fryer couldn’t be easier. You simply break apart a garlic bulb into individual cloves, toss the cloves in a small bowl with a bit of oil, then cook them in the air fryer for about 15 minutes, shaking halfway. The hot circulated air caramelizes the cloves’ sugars and softens them until they’re perfectly tender and sweet – ideal for spreading on bread or adding bright garlic flavor to any dish. Air fryer garlic roast is a hands-off way to coax out garlic’s best qualities.
Step 1: Prep the Garlic Bulb
Roasted garlic starts with a whole, fresh garlic bulb. Look for bulbs with big, plump cloves. Avoid bulbs with cloves that are shriveled or moldy.
To prep the garlic for roasting:
- Remove any excess papery layers from the bulb, but leave enough layers so the cloves stay together.
- Slice off the very top of the bulb, about 1/4 inch, to expose the tops of the cloves. This allows the hot air to penetrate and roast the garlic evenly.
- For easier peeling after roasting, you can loosen the skins by dousing the bulb in olive oil and massaging it between your palms to work the oil into all the crevices.
Step 2: Add Seasonings (Optional)
For extra flavor, you can season the garlic before roasting. Try any of these seasoning ideas:
- Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano
- Spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder
- Chopped citrus zest
- A drizzle of olive oil and salt
Sprinkle seasonings over the exposed garlic cloves and rub them in. The seasonings will permeate the garlic as it roasts, adding layered flavor.
Step 3: Roast the Garlic
Air frying gives garlic an evenly caramelized roast with zero fuss. Here are the air fryer roasting directions:
- Set the air fryer temperature to 370°F to 400°F.
- Place seasoned garlic bulb in air fryer basket cut-side up.
- Roast for 15 to 20 minutes until cloves are very soft when pierced with a knife.
- Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- For milder garlic, roast at the lower temp for the full 20 minutes. Higher heat for less time yields more intensely caramelized garlic.
- Once cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic cloves out of their skins into a bowl. Mash with a fork to a smooth paste.
Step 4: Use the Roasted Garlic
Once roasted, sweet garlic can be used so many ways. Here are some delicious options:
- Spread on bread instead of raw garlic for garlic bread.
- Mash cloves into butter or olive oil for an instant sauce or dip.
- Whisk into salad dressings, marinades, pasta sauce, or pizza sauce.
- Mix into mashed potatoes, risotto, or polenta.
- Add to mayonnaise for aioli.
- Top bruschetta, crostini or baked potatoes.
- Stir into softened cream cheese for a dip or sandwich spread.
- Squeeze over steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
- Rub roasted garlic on meat before grilling or roasting, especially lamb, beef, or chicken.
- Add to any savory baked goods like bread, rolls, or focaccia.
Air Fryer Garlic Roasting Tips
Follow these tips for the best results when roasting garlic in an air fryer:
- Use fresh, firm bulbs and prep as directed. Old or moldy garlic won’t roast up nicely.
- Roast garlic unpeeled for the easiest peeling later. The skins get brittle and slip right off.
- Season as desired; herbs, oil, and salt are classic. Get creative with spices!
- Shake the basket midway through for even cooking all around.
- Adjust time and temp as needed to get your ideal roasted garlic.
- Roast multiple bulbs at once for a big batch. Increase cook time by 2-3 minutes.
- Let roasted garlic cool before handling; the cloves will be piping hot!
- Store roasted garlic in oil in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
Enjoy Sweet, Savory Roasted Garlic From Your Air Fryer
Roasting garlic is one of the handiest tricks for adding flavor with minimal effort. Using an air fryer gives you tender, caramelized garlic in record time. Adjust the cooking time and temperature to customize results to your taste.
Let your freshly roasted garlic shine by incorporating it into so many recipes, like garlicky bread, aioli, pasta sauces, marinades, and more. With this easy Toshiba Microwave method, you can quickly infuse dishes with sweet, savory roasted garlic flavor anytime.
FAQ’s:
What temperature should you use to roast garlic in an air fryer?
350-400°F works best for roasting garlic in an air fryer.
How long does it take to roast a head of garlic in an air fryer?
Roast garlic for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through, for soft, caramelized cloves.
Should you peel the garlic before roasting in an air fryer?
No need to peel it, the skins will get brittle and be easy to remove after roasting.
Can you roast garlic cloves in an air fryer?
Yes, peel and separate the cloves then roast in a single layer for 8-12 minutes, tossing halfway.
How can you use roasted garlic from the air fryer?
Spread on bread and pizzas, blend into sauces, dressings, or dips, or add to roasted veggies or meats.
Conclusion:
Roasting garlic in an air fryer is incredibly fast and easy. With just a few minutes of circulating hot air, you can transform a whole bulb of garlic into soft, sweet cloves bursting with flavor. Adjust the temperature to control how mellow or caramelized you want the garlic to be. How To Roast Garlic In Air Fryer? Start by prepping the bulb, then season if desired. Air fry at 350°F to 400°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking midway. Once cooled, squeeze out the creamy roasted garlic and incorporate it into dips, spreads, dressings, sauces, and more for instant flavor. With this handy air fryer method, you can quickly roast garlic to sweet perfection.
Roasting garlic using a countertop air fryer lets you skip the hassle of conventional oven roasting while still achieving tender, caramelized results. In minutes, you can coax out garlic’s hidden sweetness and temper its bite. Experiment with cook times and temps to customize your roasted garlic. Then stir it into an endless array of recipes anytime you want to add its heady fragrance and flavor.
