Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade air fryer roasted garlic with this easy baking recipe. Transform raw garlic into sweet, caramelized cloves in half the traditional time. The perfect addition to spreads, dips, and sauces with no oven required!

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Serves:

3 whole garlic bulbs

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 whole garlic bulbs</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Aluminum foil</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Sharp knife</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by slicing off the top third of each garlic bulb to expose the cloves inside. This is critical for allowing the olive oil to penetrate the bulbs and for the garlic to roast evenly. Be sure to use a sharp knife for a clean cut.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Place each trimmed garlic bulb on a small sheet of aluminum foil (about 15cm square). Drizzle approximately 2 teaspoons of olive oil over each bulb, allowing it to seep down between the cloves. The oil helps conduct heat evenly and prevents the garlic from drying out during roasting.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Sprinkle each bulb with a pinch of sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and thyme leaves if using. Season generously as this will infuse the garlic with flavor as it roasts.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Wrap each garlic bulb tightly in the foil, creating a sealed packet. The foil traps moisture and heat, essentially steaming the garlic while it roasts for that perfect tender texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes. This ensures even cooking right from the start.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Place the foil-wrapped garlic bulbs in your air fryer basket, ensuring they're not touching each other. If your air fryer is small, you may need to work in batches.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Air fry at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until the garlic is completely soft and golden brown. You'll know it's done when you can easily pierce the cloves with a fork through the open top. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your garlic bulbs.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Carefully remove the packets from the air fryer (they'll be very hot!) and allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes before unwrapping. This resting period allows the garlic to finish cooking in its residual heat and makes handling easier.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>To use your roasted garlic, simply squeeze the bottom of the bulb and the soft, caramelized cloves will push out easily. The transformation from sharp, pungent raw garlic to sweet, creamy roasted garlic is remarkable – this happens because the heat breaks down the allicin compound responsible for garlic's sharp flavor, revealing its natural sugars.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Use immediately in dips, spreads, mashed potatoes, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can freeze the roasted cloves in an ice cube tray with a little olive oil for up to 3 months.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe?

The Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe requires just a few simple ingredients: whole garlic bulbs, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional fresh thyme leaves. That's all you need to transform raw garlic into sweet, caramelised cloves.

How to cook Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe by first slicing off the tops of garlic bulbs, drizzling with olive oil and seasonings, then wrapping tightly in foil. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, place the foil packets inside, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the garlic is completely soft and golden brown. Let rest before squeezing out the sweet, spreadable cloves.

Why is garlic sweeter after roasting in the air fryer?

Garlic becomes sweeter after roasting because the heat breaks down the allicin compound responsible for raw garlic's sharp, pungent flavour. This process, called caramelisation, converts the garlic's starches into natural sugars and transforms its texture from firm and crisp to soft and buttery.

Can you freeze roasted garlic for later use?

Yes, you can freeze roasted garlic for up to 3 months. Simply squeeze the soft cloves out of their skins, place them in an ice cube tray with a little olive oil, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. This method preserves both flavour and texture for convenient future use.

How does air fryer roasting compare to oven roasting for garlic?

Air fryer roasting cuts cooking time nearly in half compared to traditional oven methods (20-25 minutes versus 45-60 minutes). The air fryer also provides more consistent heat circulation, resulting in evenly roasted garlic with the same sweet, caramelised flavour but with less energy consumption.

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