Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Recipe

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Air fryer roasted garlic is a quick and easy method for creating buttery, savory, and caramelized garlic in less than 30 minutes. It’s perfect for elevating dishes like mashed potatoes, pasta, or spreading on warm bread. You get all the rich flavor and sweetness of roasted garlic without the long cooking time of a traditional oven.

Key Reasons This Recipe Stands Out:

Time-Saving: This air fryer method cooks the garlic in half the time of traditional oven roasting.
Energy-Efficient: Your kitchen stays cooler, as you’re not using the oven.
Scalable: You can roast multiple bulbs of garlic at once in the air fryer, without altering the cooking time.

Ingredients:

1 head of garlic
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
A pinch of salt

Substitutions and Customizations:

No Foil Method: If you prefer not to use foil, you can place the garlic in an oven-safe dish with the cut side facing down, and cover it with a lid or foil.
Peeled Garlic: For a garlic confit, peel the garlic cloves and place them in a small dish. Cover with olive oil and cook in the air fryer for a softer, spreadable version.
Herb-Infused Garlic: Add sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil around the garlic bulb before wrapping in foil for a more aromatic flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Garlic for Roasting:

Slice off the top of the garlic bulb, exposing the cloves inside. This allows the garlic to caramelize evenly.
Place the bulb on a square of aluminum foil large enough to wrap it completely.

2. Season and Drizzle:

Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the exposed garlic cloves.
Drizzle with olive oil, ensuring that the oil coats all the exposed cloves. This helps them caramelize and develop a deep, rich flavor.
Carefully wrap the garlic in the foil, sealing it tightly to trap heat and moisture for optimal roasting.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for a couple of minutes. Preheating helps ensure the garlic roasts evenly from the start.

4. Air Fry the Garlic:

Place the wrapped garlic bulb in the air fryer basket.
Roast for 25 minutes at 400°F. The garlic will become soft, golden brown, and infused with a rich, caramelized flavor.

5. Cool and Serve:

Carefully remove the garlic from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs, as it will be very hot.
Let the garlic cool for about 10 minutes. This cooling period helps the garlic continue cooking slightly and makes it easier to handle.
Once cooled, unwrap the garlic and gently squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins. They should be soft and spreadable.

Pro Tips for Perfect Roasted Garlic:

Expose the Cloves: When cutting the top of the garlic bulb, make sure all the cloves are exposed. This allows them to caramelize evenly.
Check for Doneness: The garlic should be golden and soft when done. If the cloves are still firm after 25 minutes, return them to the air fryer and cook for 2 more minutes at a time until they are tender.
Use Olive Oil: Olive oil helps caramelize the garlic, and it adds richness to the flavor.

Storage and Freezing Tips:

Refrigeration: Store leftover roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Longer Storage: To store roasted garlic longer, squeeze the cloves out and submerge them in olive oil. This will extend the shelf life to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezing: You can freeze roasted garlic for up to 3 months. Simply mash the cloves and store them in small portions in ice cube trays or an airtight freezer bag.

How to Use Roasted Garlic in Recipes:

Spread on Bread: Mash roasted garlic into softened butter for a delicious garlic spread on toast or fresh bread.
Mashed Potatoes: Stir roasted garlic into mashed potatoes for extra flavor and richness.
Pasta: Toss roasted garlic with olive oil, herbs, and Parmesan for a simple yet flavorful pasta dish.
Salad Dressings: Blend roasted garlic into vinaigrettes or creamy dressings for added depth.

Health Benefits of Garlic:

Garlic is not just delicious—it’s also beneficial for your health. It is known to:

Boost the immune system
Reduce blood pressure
Fight inflammation
Rich in antioxidants

Roasting garlic mellows its intensity while still retaining its health benefits, making it a flavorful and nutritious addition to any meal.

Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon Serving of Roasted Garlic):

Calories: 40 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Protein: 0.2 g
Total Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
Sodium: 5 mg
Potassium: 12 mg
Dietary Fiber: 0.1 g
Sugar: 0.03 g
Vitamin A: 0.3 IU
Vitamin C: 1 mg
Calcium: 5 mg
Iron: 0.1 mg

Frequently Asked Questions (Q/A):

Q1: Can I roast multiple bulbs of garlic at once?

A: Yes, you can roast multiple garlic bulbs in the air fryer at the same time, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. Just ensure that each bulb is wrapped in foil and has enough space to cook evenly.

Q2: What if I don’t have aluminum foil?

A: If you prefer not to use foil, you can place the garlic in a small oven-safe dish with the cut side facing down and cover it with a lid or foil. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper for wrapping.

Q3: Can I use the garlic immediately after roasting?

A: Yes! After roasting, the garlic cloves should be soft and spreadable, and you can use them immediately in any recipe.

Q4: How do I store leftover roasted garlic?

A: Leftover roasted garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can submerge the cloves in olive oil to extend their shelf life to 2 weeks.

Q5: Can I freeze roasted garlic?

A: Yes, you can freeze roasted garlic! Simply mash the cloves and store them in small portions in ice cube trays or airtight freezer bags. It will last for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

This Air Fryer Roasted Garlic recipe is quick, easy, and packed with rich, caramelized flavor. Whether you use it as a spread on bread, mix it into mashed potatoes, or toss it with pasta, roasted garlic adds a savory depth to any dish. With just a few simple ingredients and the help of your air fryer, you can enjoy this kitchen staple in under 30 minutes!