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Home » Meal » Sides

Published: Sep 16, 2022 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

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Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.
Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.
Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.
Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.
Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.
Roasted Garlic is shown in tin foil on a wooden cutting board with the title of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.

Roasted garlic is golden, savory, soft, and sweet. The best way to roast garlic to achieve this delicious, mellow flavor is with one secret: a low temperature. Our recipe will show you exactly how to make the best roast garlic in the air fryer.

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A head of roasted garlic sits in tin foil on a wooden cutting board.
Jump to:
  • What You'll Need
  • How to Make
  • FAQ
  • Expert Tips
  • How to Store
  • How to Make a Meal
  • More Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

At Two Cloves Kitchen, we take garlic very seriously. Our recipes feature garlic, our food philosophy is built around garlic, heck, our LOGO is garlic. It's safe to say garlic is our love language.

So, we tested this recipe countless times with different factors to ensure we delivered the best possible result. We used varying temperatures, more or less oil, foil or no foil, peeled and unpeeled, whole roasted garlic versus cloves.

The factor we found to be most important was temperature. Cooked at too high a temperature, the garlic became too dark and, therefore, bitter.

If cooked for a shorter period of time to avoid burning, the garlic would not be fully cooked.

This is how we arrived at our magic formula: 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes, then 10 minutes rest in the air fryer while it is off. The residual heat gently softens and finishes roasting the garlic.

Now, keep in mind that air fryers, like ovens, can vary in size and in actual temperature.

We recommend you check the garlic before you reach the 30-minute mark. You may need slightly less than 30 minutes, and you may need slightly more. It's always better to err on the side of caution when cooking garlic.

Olive oil, kosher salt, and a head of garlic are shown on a white marble counter.

What You'll Need

Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

  • Garlic A whole head of fresh garlic is needed for this recipe.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil The quality of olive oil matters less for this recipe. Here is a favorite brand of mine that I keep on hand.
  • Kosher Salt I always recommend using kosher salt. Table salt increases the likelihood of oversalting your food because it is more concentrated. Diamond Crystal kosher salt coats food evenly and makes it easier to add salt incrementally.

How to Make

Step One: Cut your head of garlic crosswise to expose the interior of the cloves (removing about ¼ to ½ inch of the top). Check out the expert tips below for tips on minimizing waste.

Garlic sliced crosswise to expose the flesh of the cloves on a wooden cutting board.

Step Two Place the garlic on a piece of tin foil. Drizzle or brush the cut side of the garlic with olive oil, trying to get the oil into the crevices between the cloves and coating the top of the garlic completely.

A head of garlic cut crosswise is brushed with olive oil.

Step Three Close up the foil and place in the air fryer basket.

A ball of foil containing a cut head of garlic is shown in the basket of an air fryer.

Step Four Roast garlic in air fryer for 30 to 40 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, checking before the 30-minute mark to see if it is done.

Remove from the air fryer basket, peel back the foil, and insert a paring knife into a clove to see if it is cooked through.

Partially roasted garlic is shown in tin foil; a paring knife is inserted into one of the cloves to test doneness.

The garlic above is not ready just yet. While the knife was inserted without much resistance, it is too pale and its flavor will not be fully developed.

You should see a golden brown (not dark brown) color. The garlic should be fragrant and easy to squeeze out of its skin. Use caution here! The foil and the garlic will be very hot.

At the 30- to 40-minute mark, turn off the air fryer but do not remove the basket. Let the garlic sit inside for 10 minutes or more to finish cooking.

Step Five Once the air fried garlic has finished roasting, remove from the air fryer basket, discard the foil, and let the garlic cool for a few minutes before serving.

A head of roasted garlic sits on a wooden cutting board.

FAQ

How do I avoid burnt garlic?

The secret is to cook your garlic at a low temperature for a longer period of time. Garlic does not respond well to high temperatures. For perfectly soft, golden, mellow, and sweet roasted garlic, patience is key!

How do I know when roasted garlic is done?

It should be a soft golden or golden brown (not dark brown) color, fragrant, and easy to squeeze out of its skin.

A simple way to test for doneness is to use a paring knife. Insert the paring knife into the flesh of the clove and, if you meet no resistance, it is ready.
Two cloves of garlic are shown; one is dark brown and labeled "too dark", and the other is golden brown and labeled "correct color."

Does roasted garlic need to be refrigerated?

Yes it does. Be sure to place your garlic in an airtight container, and move to the fridge within 2 hours of cooking for proper food safety. Check out the "How to Store" section below for more info on storing roasted garlic.

Can roasted garlic be frozen?

Yep. Let the garlic cool completely, remove all the skins, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a gallon plastic bag or other airtight, freezer-safe container and use within 2 to 3 months.

Can roasted garlic go bad?

It can. It's best to store cooked garlic in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than a week.

Expert Tips

  • If you are sensitive to fresh garlic or sautéed garlic, roasted garlic may be for you. It is much milder, sweeter, and has none of the sharpness of other garlic preparations.
  • When making roasted garlic in the air fryer, keep in mind that air fryers can vary in size and temperature, just like ovens. Check your garlic before the recommended cook time has elapsed to ensure it is not getting too dark.
  • To avoid waste, take the top section you cut off and mince the remaining pieces of garlic to use in another meal. I recommend using right away or storing in an airtight container for about a day.

How to Store

Fridge Roasted garlic can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

There is no need to reheat refrigerated garlic. Just add to the dish you are making. If you would like room temperature garlic, leave it out on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour.

Be sure to cool the garlic and move it to the fridge within 2 hours for proper food safety.

Freezer Once cooked, garlic can be removed from its skins, frozen on a sheet tray, then transferred to an airtight, freezer-safe container like a locking glass or plastic storage container or a gallon plastic bag.

Peeled single cloves of garlic are shown in three lines on a small baking sheet.

If needed, you can thaw in the microwave for a few seconds or in the fridge overnight, but you do not need to thaw the garlic to use it. If adding to a meal, feel free to add directly to the pan while you cook.

A note on frozen garlic: Freezing garlic may alter the texture and taste of your garlic. It is likely to be milder than freshly roasted garlic.

How to Make a Meal

If you are wondering when to use roasted garlic, try these suggestions for meals, sides, and snacks:

Charcuterie or Cheese Board Arrange different meats and cheeses, nuts, crackers, veggies, and dips on a pretty board and serve with some roasted garlic. I love to add Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Almond Pesto!

Soups Try making a favorite soup, like this Chicken Pastina Soup, and serve with a piece of baguette spread with roasted garlic. You can also stir some chopped roasted garlic directly into a soup, like this Creamy Tomato Soup.

Vegetable Sides This garlic is fantastic mixed with veggie sides, from sautéed zucchini to seared mushrooms. Try some vegetables made in the air fryer, like Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower, Air Fryer Tomatoes, or Asparagus in the Air Fryer!

Potatoes Roasted garlic and potatoes are a match made in heaven. Try adding some chopped roasted garlic to mashed potatoes, this air fryer baked potato recipe, or Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes.

Roast Chicken I made this Basic Roast Chicken in culinary school and will never make it any other way. Spread some roast garlic on the cooked chicken and bask in its deliciousness. This chicken leg quarters recipe is absolutely wonderful, too!

Aioli Add to this aioli and spread on sandwiches, wraps, or drizzle over lots of different meals like grain bowls, eggs, salads - whatever you like!

Toast Try spreading on some Air Fryer Toast!

More Recipes You'll Love

Here are some other amazing air fryer recipes:

Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

Air Fryer Tomatoes

📖 Recipe

Roasted garlic is shown on a wooden cutting board.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

Golden, savory, and lightly sweet roasted garlic using the air fryer. This recipe provides consistently delicious and mellow garlic with no burnt edges or bitter cloves! Spread onto crackers or toasts, mix into soups, bowls, or vegetables, or use as a flavor booster for your favorite protein - the options are endless with this delicious garlic.
5 from 23 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiment, Snack, Spread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer, Easy Recipe, Garlic
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 1 head
Calories: 165kcal
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Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Tin Foil
  • Tongs (Optional)

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • kosher salt to taste

Instructions

  • Cut the head of garlic crosswise, exposing the flesh of the cloves, about ¼ to ½ of an inch.
  • Place on a piece of tin foil. Drizzle or brush with olive oil, ensuring the olive oil gets between the cloves.
  • Seal the tin foil in a ball and place it in the basket of the air fryer. Cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Turn off the air fryer and let the garlic sit inside for about 10 minutes.
  • Check for doneness before 30 minutes have elapsed by carefully removing from the basket, peeling back the foil, and examining the color and texture.
  • Poke a paring knife into one of the cloves. If there is no resistance, the color is golden brown, and the garlic is fragrant, it is ready to serve! If not, seal the foil ball again and return to the air fryer and continue with instructions.

Notes

  • Approximate calories are for one full head of garlic.
  • Roasted garlic can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Be sure to transfer to the fridge within 2 hours for proper food safety
  • Once cooked, garlic can be removed from its skins, frozen on a sheet tray, then transferred to an airtight, freezer-safe container like a locking glass or plastic storage container or a gallon plastic bag and stored for 2 to 3 months.
  • There is no need to reheat roasted garlic. Just add to the dish you are making. If you would like room temperature garlic, leave it out on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour.
  • To avoid waste, take the top section you cut off and mince the remaining pieces of garlic to use in another meal. I recommend using right away or storing in an airtight container for about a day.
  • When making roasted garlic in the air fryer, keep in mind that air fryers can vary in size and temperature, just like ovens. Check your garlic before the recommended cook time has elapsed to ensure it is not getting too dark.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James Strange says

    September 16, 2022 at 2:49 pm

    5 stars
    Going to try this weekend, but I will do more than one clove.

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    September 16, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    I use roasted garlic all the time in my hummus. This was perfect because I didn't have to heat up my whole house with my oven. Thanks! Turned out great!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      September 19, 2022 at 3:09 am

      I love that it doesn't heat up the house. Hummus is a wonderful idea - I'll have to give it a try!

      Reply
  3. MacKenzie says

    September 17, 2022 at 4:15 am

    5 stars
    Love this idea. Fresh roasted garlic is so good. Can’t wait to try this air fryer version.

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      September 19, 2022 at 3:09 am

      Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Sharon says

    September 17, 2022 at 6:13 am

    5 stars
    Yummm-mo! This was so delicious mixed into our mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      September 19, 2022 at 3:09 am

      Sounds fantastic - thanks, Sharon!

      Reply
  5. Paula says

    September 17, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    5 stars
    Oh goodness, why haven't I thought about garlic in the air fryer?! This was so good and quick. Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      September 19, 2022 at 3:14 am

      Thank you so much, Paula!

      Reply
  6. Glenda says

    September 18, 2022 at 5:18 am

    5 stars
    The air fryer is my favorite way to roast garlic. It was one of the first things I tried after buying my air fryer. Absolutely love it!

    Reply
    • Genevieve says

      September 19, 2022 at 3:08 am

      Thanks Glenda! So glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a certified professional cook, lifelong recipe creator, writer, editor, and food lover. I use my culinary knowledge to teach you how to utilize your ingredients and equipment to their fullest potential, turning ordinary meals into something exciting with bold, fresh, innovative ideas and flavors.

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