Love roasted garlic but hate how long it takes? Try roasting your garlic in an air fryer! It cuts the time in half (or more!) and the result is still super soft, buttery garlic that easily spreads and you just need one ingredient!

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Roasted garlic bulb on a cutting board.
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Why make air fryer roasted garlic?

Garlic caramelizes as it roasts. Think of it like when you caramelize onions on the stove. Roasting brings out a sweeter milder flavor compared to raw garlic. The flavor is truly unmatched!

But if you’ve ever roasted garlic before, you know it can take a while. It can take 40+ minutes in the oven!

I hate having to turn on my oven just to roast a head of garlic, but the magic of the air fryer decreases that time immensely!

With an air fryer, you get that sweet, creamy garlic in 20 minutes. Any air fryer will do but I’ve been loving this air fryer for over a year now!

With the air fryer, I don’t have to use any oil and I still get perfectly roasted garlic any time.

How to make

This step-by-step walkthrough shows the process of making air fryer roasted garlic. Exact times and temperatures can be found in the recipe card below.

1. Start by preheating the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cut the garlic bulb in half to expose the garlic cloves. I do this rather than just cut the top off because I don’t like to waste any garlic. Instead, I roast both halves so that nothing is wasted!

Garlic bulb sliced in half.

3. Cut a couple squares of aluminum foil for each half of the garlic. Fold the foil up around the garlic and twist the top to seal it. No oil is actually needed to roast garlic but if you prefer, you can drizzle a little over the exposed cloves before sealing the foil.

Garlic bulbs wrapped in foil.

4. Place the garlic cut side up in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes. Start at 20 minutes and check the garlic for doneness. Carefully unwrap the foil using tongs to check. The garlic should look golden and caramelized. If it’s not quite done, wrap it up again and continue roasting for another 2-3 minutes.

Garlic bulbs wrapped in foil and sitting in an air fryer basket.

5. Once done, remove the garlic from the air fryer and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before unwrapping.

Air fried roasted garlic unwrapped from the foil exposing the golden, caramelized garlic cloves.

6. When ready, gently squeeze the garlic so that the cloves pop out of their shell or peel off their skin. Air fryer roasted garlic peels easily!

How to store

Air fryer roasted garlic cloves peeled and sitting in a glass storage container.

Place the roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for longer.

Stored in the freezer, roasted garlic will stay fresh for months. You can store as whole cloves, or mash them up before freezing. An easy way to avoid them freezing into one lump is to place the mashed garlic into ice cube trays and allow them to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container.

How to use roasted garlic

Roasted garlic toast on a plate next to the roasted garlic bulbs.

Spread it on toast with a little butter (I used Earth Balance for dairy-free) for the most amazing garlic toast you’ve ever had! Or use it as a spread for any sandwich!

Mix it into Mashed Potatoes. It adds the perfect garlic flavor to bring your taters up a notch!

Add it to curries and soups for a depth of flavor!

Add it to your favorite pasta dish! It goes great in the Vegan Feta Pasta!

It also goes great in guacamole! Or inside these black bean Enfrijoladas (similar to enchiladas).

Roasted garlic is super versatile and now you can enjoy it even faster with the air fryer!

More air fryer recipes

More ideas:

Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potatoes Fries

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Roasted garlic bulb on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

5 from 6 votes
Author: Rachel
Love roasted garlic but hate how long it takes? Try roasting your garlic in an air fryer! It cuts the time in half (or more!) and the result is still super soft, buttery garlic that easily spreads and you just need one ingredient!
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 1 head of garlic

Method

  • air fryer

Ingredients  

  • 1 head garlic whole, unpeeled

Instructions 

  • Start by preheating the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut the garlic bulb in half to expose the garlic cloves. I do this rather than just cut the top off because I don't like to waste any garlic. Instead, I roast both halves so that nothing is wasted!
    1 head garlic
  • Cut a couple squares of aluminum foil for each half of the garlic. Fold the foil up around the garlic and twist the top to seal it. No oil is actually needed to roast garlic but if you prefer, you can drizzle a little over the exposed cloves before sealing the foil.
  • Place the garlic cut side up in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes. Start at 20 minutes and check the garlic for doneness. Carefully unwrap the foil using tongs to check. The garlic should look golden and caramelized. If it's not quite done, wrap it up again and continue roasting for another 2-3 minutes at a time until done.
  • Once done, remove the garlic from the air fryer and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before unwrapping.
  • When ready, unwrap and gently squeeze the garlic so that the cloves pop out of their shell or peel off their skin. Garlic peels easily after roasting!

Notes

Storage:
Place the roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for longer.
Stored in the freezer, roasted garlic will stay fresh for months. You can store as whole cloves, or mash them up before freezing. An easy way to avoid them freezing into one lump is to place the mashed garlic into ice cube trays and allow them to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: American
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5 from 6 votes

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I swear…I learn a new brilliant use for my air fryer daily, and today’s new trick is this roasted garlic recipe. Thanks for the idea!