Who knew something as simple as garlic could make you feel like a culinary genius? Roasted garlic in the air fryer is about to become your new best friend. Not only does it turn those little cloves of garlic into soft, caramelized, flavor-packed bites of heaven, but it’s also ridiculously easy—your air fryer basically does all the hard work.
Whether you want to slather it on bread, toss it in pasta, or eat it straight (no judgment), this recipe’s got you covered. Oh, and did I mention it makes your kitchen smell like you’ve been cooking up a gourmet feast? Yeah, it’s that good.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy: Minimal prep and the air fryer does all the work.
- Quick: No need to wait for the oven to heat up—this garlic roasts fast.
- Flavorful: Roasting garlic transforms it into something sweet, mellow, and buttery. It’s why roasted garlic is so irresistible and versatile in cooking.
- Versatile: Use it in pasta, spread it on bread, or mix it into dips and sauces.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- 3 Bulbs of Garlic
- 1 tbsp. Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil as a substitute)
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Fresh Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary (Optional)
How to Make Roasted Garlic in the Air Fryer
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cut the top of the garlic off, exposing the cloves. This is the end opposite the root. Cut about 1/3 off the top of the bulb to expose the garlic cloves.
Step 2: Drizzle the exposed garlic cloves with 1 tbsp. of Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil). Be a bit liberal with the oil to help the garlic roast and caramelize.
Step 3: Season the garlic with 1 tsp. of sea salt and 1/4 tsp. of fresh black pepper. If you enjoy the flavor, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. of dried rosemary (optional).
Step 4: Wrap each garlic bulb in aluminum foil. Bring the sides of the foil up and twist the top to seal. This will allow the garlic to steam and roast without drying out. Repeat for all garlic bulbs.
Step 5: Place the foil-wrapped garlic bulbs into the air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). I recommend roasting the garlic for 40 minutes if you like it very caramelized and soft.
Step 6: Check the garlic at around the 25-minute mark to see if it’s roasted to your liking. If it’s golden and soft, you can stop here. Otherwise, continue roasting for up to 40 minutes.
Step 7: For extra caramelization, unwrap the garlic by peeling back the foil. Create a bowl-like shape with the foil, exposing the top of the garlic bulb. Roast for another 2 minutes at 400°F to achieve that rich, caramelized goodness.
Tip: Roasting garlic in an air fryer is faster and easier than using a traditional oven. The air fryer does a great job of creating perfectly caramelized cloves without burning them.
Expert Tips
- Oil Choice: While I prefer avocado oil for its higher smoke point, olive oil works just as well and adds a lovely flavor.
- Garlic Caramelization: If you want deeply caramelized garlic, roast it for the full 40 minutes. For a lighter roast, check around 25-30 minutes.
- Preventing Burning: Wrapping the garlic in foil is key to preventing it from burning. The foil traps moisture and allows the garlic to steam while roasting, ensuring a soft, caramelized texture.
- Gas Concerns: Roasted garlic is generally easier to digest than raw garlic. If you’re prone to digestive issues, using smaller amounts may help.
Serving Suggestions
- Spread roasted garlic on crusty bread for a quick snack or appetizer.
- Mash it into butter or olive oil for an amazing garlic spread.
- Stir it into pasta, risotto, or mashed potatoes for a rich, deep flavor.
- Add it to salad dressings or sauces to elevate your meals.
Can you just eat roasted garlic?
Yes! Roasted garlic is so delicious you can eat it straight out of the bulb, spread it on toast, or mix it into your favorite dishes.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover roasted garlic in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Reheating: To reheat, wrap the garlic in foil again and place it in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until warmed through.
Variations
- Herbed Garlic: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley for extra flavor.
- Spicy Roasted Garlic: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or smoked paprika over the garlic before roasting for a little heat.
Substitutions
- Olive Oil Instead of Avocado Oil: If you don’t have avocado oil, olive oil is a perfect substitute.
- Different Garlic Varieties: You can use any type of garlic, including elephant garlic for a milder flavor.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 roasted garlic bulb
- • Calories: 50
- • Fat: 5g
- • Carbohydrates: 1g
- • Protein: 1g
- • Fiber: 0g
- • Sugar: 0g
FAQ
Yes, eating roasted garlic is great for your health! Roasting garlic reduces its sharpness while keeping many health benefits, such as being high in antioxidants and supporting heart health. Plus, it’s easier on the stomach compared to raw garlic.
Roasted garlic in oil is safe to eat as long as it’s stored properly. To avoid any bacterial growth, especially botulism, refrigerate any leftover roasted garlic in oil in an airtight container. It can be safely stored in the fridge for up to one week.
To prevent garlic from burning, wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil. This traps moisture, allowing it to steam while roasting. Roasting at 400°F gives you perfectly caramelized garlic without any burning. Also, check the garlic at the 25-minute mark if you prefer a lighter roast.
Yes! Roasted garlic is sweet, soft, and spreadable, making it perfect to enjoy as-is. You can spread it on toast, mix it into sauces, or use it in recipes for a rich, deep flavor.
Garlic, even when roasted, can cause gas for some people. However, roasted garlic is generally easier to digest than raw garlic since the roasting process breaks down certain compounds that may cause digestive discomfort.
Yes, the air fryer is perfect for roasting garlic! It creates a soft, caramelized texture faster than a traditional oven, all while keeping the garlic from drying out.
You should roast garlic in the air fryer for about 40 minutes at 400°F. For a lighter roast, check at the 25-30 minute mark. The garlic should be soft, golden, and easy to squeeze out of the cloves when it’s ready.
Pairings and Related Recipes
- Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
- Naan Bread Pizza with Caramelized Onions
- Greek Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Top Round Roast Beef, Rare Deli Style
Equipment
Below is the equipment that I used in this recipe as well as other kitchen essentials I use and find useful. I do earn a commsiion for the sale of these products at no cost to you at all.
COSORI 6.8Qt Air Fryer
BetterBody Foods Avocado Oil
Celtic Sea Salt, Fine Ground
Air Fryer Parchment Paper 8.5inch Air Fryer Liners
Roasted Garlic in the Air Fryer | Easy & Flavorful Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Bulb Garlic
- 1 tbsp. Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Fresh Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary (Optional)
Instructions
- Cut the top of the garlic off. This is the end opposite the root end. The object is to expose the cloves of the garlic bulb. Cut about 1/3 of the garlic from the end.
- Drizzle top of garlic bulb with Avocado Oil. Be a bit liberal with the oil. If you do not have Avocado Oil you can use Olive Oil if you prefer.
- After drizzling the garlic bulb with Avocado or Olive Oil season with some salt and pepper. You can also add some Rosemary if you like that flavor. For the sake of simplicity, I did not use Rosemary.
- Wrap the head of garlic in aluminum foil by bringing up the sides and sealing with a twist at the top of your foil packet. Repeat this process for each garlic bulb that you are roasting.
- Place the garlic foil packets in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I set the air fryer to a cooking time of 40 minutes. I like the garlic very caramelized. If you like it a bit less done check after 25 minutes to see how brown the garlic is.
- The garlic has been roasting around 30 minutes. Give it a quick check. If it is at your preferred level of doneness then thats great. If you want it a bit more caramelized and soft then move to the next step.
- If you want the garlic extra caramelized and soft do not skip this step. Peel back the foil and make it into a bowl exposing the top of the garlic. Roast in air fry 2 minutes more.
