Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

Air fryer roasted garlic is a simple and flavorful addition to many dishes, offering the rich, mellow taste of roasted garlic in a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven roasting. With minimal ingredients and effort, this method creates a soft, caramelized texture that spreads easily onto bread, mixes into sauces, or enhances soups and dressings.

We love roasted garlic. The funny thing is, we love it so much, I bought a basket-style air fryer to make it in. I make other recipes with this new air fryer, too – like baked potatoes, and bacon – but I consider it, first and foremost, my “roasted garlic air fryer.”

We also love to buy crusty bread, toast it, remove the roasted garlic cloves from the head, and spread them on the bread with extra virgin olive oil.

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Pro tips

• This recipe works with both types of air fryers, but I prefer using my basket fryer and not the one with trays.
• Look for firm, plump garlic heads with tight, intact skins. Fresher garlic will yield a sweeter, more flavorful result.
• Olive oil helps the garlic roast evenly and develop that rich, caramelized flavor. Be generous when drizzling, ensuring each clove is well-coated.
• Air fryers can vary slightly in cooking times, so after the 20-minute mark, check the garlic by pressing the sides of the foil packet. The packet should be soft.
• I love to combine roasted garlic with other ingredients in the oil. This time I added parmesan cheese and a little salt, but other times, I’ve added herbs, like basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, or tarragon; sun-dried tomatoes; or red pepper flakes, which are also delicious.
• Other serving ideas: on garlic toast, on pizza, in mashed potatoes, in salad dressings, drizzled over vegetables, in pasta sauce, or other dishes.
• Roasted garlic freezes beautifully! Make a larger batch, remove the roasted cloves from their skins, place them in an airtight container and add it to the freezer for up to two months. You’ll have roasted garlic ready for any recipe.
• You can store any leftover cloves in either a glass jar or other airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

How to make air fryer roasted garlic

Pre-step

Take out your basket air fryer, a sharp knife, and aluminum foil.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – three whole heads of garlic, Kosher salt, and extra virgin olive oil.

Step two

Cut off a large piece of aluminum foil and set it with the shiny side facing down.

Step three

With the sharp knife, cut about ¼ inch off the tops of the garlic heads, exposing the cloves. Leave the papery skins on to protect the cloves during roasting.

Step four

Drizzle each garlic head with olive oil, ensuring it gets into all the crevices. Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the tops for added flavor. (Notice I added to my packet two of the tops of the heads that were big enough.

Step five

Scrunch the foil up and over the top of the garlic bulbs. It should look a little like a big Hershey Kiss. I then flatten the top to one of the sides so it’s not sticking up straight.

Step six

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (190°C). It should take 5 minutes to heat up. Place the foil packet in the basket and air fry the garlic for 25 minutes.

Step seven

As all air fryers are different, check doneness after 22 minutes. What I do is don an oven mitt, remove the foil packet, and gently squeeze the sides. It should be soft.

Step eight

Carefully unwrap the garlic from the foil and let it cool for a few minutes.

Step nine

Once cool enough to handle, gently squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins. You can also use a small fork to remove the cloves.

Let’s see the roasted garlic in action. I spread it on some nice crusty bread.

This simple, quick method for air fryer roasted garlic brings out the best of this humble ingredient, making it a must-have in your cooking repertoire.

I hope you enjoyed this air fryer roasted garlic recipe! It will become a staple in your life.

Other air fryer recipes

• Twice baked potatoes
• Chicken wings
• Steak tips
• Salmon
• Cornish hens
• Turkey tenderloin

And as always, may all your dishes be delish.

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