How to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer (Perfect Every Time)

Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer (Perfect Every Time) using just two ingredients.

Whether you are spreading it on crusty bread, stirring it into mashed potatoes, blending it into dips, or adding it to pasta dishes, this simple air fryer recipe delivers gourmet flavor with minimal effort.

Why you will like this recipe.

If you have never made roasted garlic in the air fryer, you are in for a treat. Air fryer roasted garlic is one of the easiest ways to add rich, savory flavor to countless recipes.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• Quick and easy to make – The air fryer roasts garlic faster than a traditional oven.
• Minimal ingredients – Just garlic bulbs and olive oil are all you need.
• Rich, sweet flavor – As the garlic cooks, the cloves become soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, losing their sharp bite and developing a mellow, caramelized flavor.
• Personalizing is easy- Add salt, pepper, herbs, or your favorite seasonings for extra flavor.

Have you tried my recipe for Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and Dip?

Made with buttermilk and seasonings that classic recipe is creamy and tangy, making it perfect for about anything. This roasted garlic would go well when dipped into that ranch or when chopped up and added to that ranch.

Extra Virgin works perfectly in this roasted garlic recipe. You can find Extra Virgin Olive Oil here.

Ingredients needed.

• Garlic Bulbs. Remove any loose papery outer skin (leaving some layers intact). Trim about a quarter inch off the top of the bulbs.
• Olive Oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil works best as it provides the most flavor and creates rich, buttery roasted garlic. A good everyday extra virgin olive oil works perfectly.
• Optional ingredients include: Salt, pepper, parsley, rosemary, thyme, Italian seasoning, Parmesan Cheese, or a combination of the above.

How to make air fryer roasted garlic.

• Prep Time 5 Minutes .
• Air Fry Time 15 Minutes .
• Servings 4 bulbs or 16 servings .
• How to serve : Air fryer roasted garlic is incredibly versatile and can be used in everything from appetizers to main dishes.
• Notes: You will need aluminum foil sheets to wrap the garlic in.

1. Prepare. Remove any loose, papery outer layers from the garlic bulbs, leaving the bulbs intact. Using a sharp knife, cut about ¼ to ½ inch off the top of each bulb to expose the cloves. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Wrap. Place each of the prepared garlic bulbs on a piece of aluminum foil with the cut-side up. Then drizzle each bulb with olive oil, allowing the oil to seep down between the exposed cloves. Season with salt and pepper, or as desired. Lastly, rap each bulb loosely in foil, or place all of the bulbs in a large foil packet and seal the edges.
3. Air Fry . Place the foil-wrapped garlic bulbs in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, golden, and easily pierced with a knife.
4. Cool. Carefully remove the garlic from the air fryer and let it cool for 5–10 minutes, or until safe to handle.
5. Serve. Unwrap the foil and gently squeeze the bottom of each bulb to release the roasted garlic cloves. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Tips for making the best air fryer roasted garlic.

When selection garlic to use in this recipe, select fresh and firm garlic bulbs that are in good condition (heavy for their size and free from soft spots, mold, or sprouting). You can remove any outer paper layers that appear to be falling off but, do not remove all of the skin as the papery layers should be intact to help hold the cloves together during cooking. Trim about ¼ to ½" from the top exposes the cloves and helps them roast evenly.

More helpful tips for you.

1. Use enough olive oil- avoid skimping here. The oil helps prevent the garlic from drying out and encourages caramelization for a rich, buttery texture.
2. When wrapping the garlic, wrap the bulbs tightly enough to trap the steam. The foil helps create a moist cooking environment, resulting in soft, creamy cloves.
3. Your garlic is done cooking when the cloves are golden and tender enough to easily be squeezed from their skins. Check for doneness early as air fryer models vary, so start checking the garlic around the 20-minute mark.

FAQ

• Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
  Preheating is recommended for the most consistent results, but if your air fryer does not require preheating, you can place the garlic in a cold air fryer and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if needed.
• What optional ingredients should I add before roasting the garlic?
  Add these ingredients before wrapping the garlic in foil and placing it in the air fryer:
  Salt, Black Pepper, Fresh Rosemary, Fresh Thyme, Italian Seasoning, and/or Red Pepper Flakes.
  You can sprinkle the seasonings over the exposed cloves after drizzling with olive oil.
• What optional ingredients should I add after roasting the garlic?
  Fresh Parsley, Parmesan Cheese, or Lemon Zest. These ingredients are best added at the end to preserve their fresh flavor and texture.
• What optional ingredients should I add when serving the garlic?
  Once you have squeezed the roasted garlic from the bulbs, you can mix it with: Unsalted Butter to make a garlic butter spread, Cream Cheese for a savory spread, Olive Oil for a roasted garlic paste, or Fresh Herbs for a flavorful topping or dip
• Why is my garlic still firm after cooking?
  This can happen because garlic bulb sizes vary and air fryers cook differently from one another. If the cloves are still firm, you continue cooking for three to five more minutes or until they become soft and spreadable.

Variations.

• Make this into Parmesan Roasted Garlic. After roasting your garlic, sprinkle the garlic cloves with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a little chopped parsley. I find that this variation is delicious served with crusty bread.
• Impress them with Garlic Butter Spread. Mash the roasted garlic cloves with softened butter and a pinch of salt. Use it on bread, baked potatoes, steak, seafood, or vegetables (great for holiday cooking!).
• Take breakfast and brunch to a new level with Everything Bagel Roasted Garlic. After drizzling the cloves with olive oil, sprinkle the tops with Everything Bagel seasoning before roasting. This variation makes a flavorful spread for toast, bagels, and sandwiches.

How to store roasted garlic cloves.

Oce the garlic has fully cooled and squeezed, the squeezed garlic can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, it should keep for about a week at room temperature or up to a few months when frozen.

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