Name: Roasted Garlic in Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 large garlic bulbs (whole); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground)

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Air Fryer Roasted Garlic makes the creamiest, most tender, caramelized garlic cloves. Add a little flair and flavor to your cooking with roasted garlic in air fryer, once you try it you won’t go back to cooking it in the oven.

We love making simple recipes in the air fryer just like this roasted garlic in the air fryer. Another quick recipe idea for the air fryer is Frozen Dinner Rolls in the Air Fryer, they cook up warm and toasty. Or try Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini, a yummy vegetable side dish.

Close up of two roasted garlic in Air Fryer sprinkles with salt and pepper on a plate.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

I might be a bit of a garlic lush. I just can’t seem to get enough of it, I can eat all things garlic! Then there was the day that I met roasted garlic…what a life changer.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I will eat this stuff straight up, right out of the husk with a spoon.

One of the very best aromas I can think of is the scent of garlic cooking. For me it triggers thoughts of a delicious home cooked meal.

That is why one of my favorite recipes to make in the air fryer is roasted garlic. While the garlic is baking it will make your home smell like garlic heaven. An added bonus, it will keep the vampires away!

Of course, another reason I love this recipe is how quickly it cooks in the air fryer. Normally when you roast garlic in the oven it takes about an hour, now you can make it so much faster when you make air fried garlic.

Roasted Garlic Air Fryer

Once the garlic bulb bakes, the cloves become very delicate and creamy. Since the cloves are so super soft, it’s easy to use as a spread or mix into your favorite dishes. It’s creamy and dreamy and spreads as easily as butta.

Roasting garlic also takes away that astringent, sharp flavor and replaces it with a mild, sweet, calm taste that will add complexity to any dish. The olive oil helps keep the garlic coated and adds to the delicious caramelization.

Overhead view of roasted garlic on parchment paper on two plates with a striped towel.

Typically, garlic gets wrapped up in aluminum foil when it’s being roasted so that it doesn’t dry out while being cooked. I try not to cook with aluminum foil except on occasion because it may increase the risk of Alzheimers (we don’t know for sure, but I’d rather be safe than sorry).

So, what I like to do is to wrap the garlic heads with parchment paper and then wrap that with aluminum foil to reduce the direct contact of it to the food. FYI, if you only use parchment too close to the heating element in the air fryer it may cause problems. That’s the only reason I’m not just using parchment paper in this recipe.

Can you Roast Garlic in Air Fryer?

You can definitely cook garlic in the air fryer and I am here to show you how to do it. It’s such a super simple recipe, you are going to be amazed at how easy it is. Soon you will be adding roasted garlic into all of your cooking.

A garlic roaster could also be used in the air fryer if you have one. They come in ceramic, stoneware, cast iron, and terra cotta. Or use a ramekin for each garlic head, place oiled/salted cut side down and cover tightly (but not touching) with tin foil.

How to Use Roasted Garlic?

There are so many ways to use air fryer garlic. Here are some of our favorite ideas! What are some of your favorite ways to use garlic?

Mashed Potatoes. My most favorite way to use roasted garlic is to add some to mashed potatoes.
Dips. Make this magical aioli dip, you can replace the raw garlic completely or add in both roasted and raw. Add it to this chipotle mayo recipe or salsa. Or just use it straight up with nothing else added to dip your fries into.
Salad Dressing. Mix some freshly roasted garlic into your favorite vinaigrette or homemade ranch.
Spreads. Schmear (yes, I said schmear) the soften cloves over a bagel with some cream cheese, onto a toasted baguette with butter to create garlic bread, or just add to a piece of toast (or make it even more fancy and add it to avocado toast).
Sauces. Mix this into so many different sauces like alfredo sauces, tomato sauces, or even enchilada sauce.
Condiment. Have some roasted garlic beside the main dish like air fryer chicken breast or air fryer cornish hen. Use in pasta dishes or on top of pizza.
Butter. Make a roasted garlic compound butter to serve smothered on a filet mignon or ribeye.
As is! Eat as is, with a spoon (personal fave).

Above view of three heads of roasted garlic on two plates on a striped towel.

Different Types of Garlic

There are two main types of garlic that we use the most. One of them, the more flavorful of the two, is called hardneck garlic. It typically has a hard stalk (the scape) in the center that is surrounded by garlic bulbs. The other type of garlic is the softneck garlic. It has a garlic clove in the center rather than the hard woody stalk.

Either one will work in this recipe.

Did you know that Elephant garlic isn’t garlic at all? Even though it looks like a giant head of garlic, it is actually a type of leek. Although Elephant garlic does have an oniony garlic flavor if eaten raw, it is so mild that the flavor basically disappears when cooked.

How to Buy Garlic?

Look for a head of garlic that looks relatively clean, with no visible mold growing anywhere on it especially around the root area. It should feel firm and not squish when you squeeze it. The cloves inside should be nice and white, not yellow. Also, look out for any green sprouts, this indicates that the garlic is old.

Garlic bulbs can be found at local farmers markets if you have one or most grocery stores in the produce section.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Ingredients

Garlic: I used 4 heads of garlic, but you could make a couple or even more. Make sure the garlic is fresh, no need to waste time cooking old garlic.
Oil: Olive oil is the best to use in this garlic recipe, but vegetable oil will work also.
Salt: I like to use coarse or flakey sea salt or kosher salt.
Pepper: A quick turn of the pepper grinder to add some freshly ground pepper.
Fresh Herbs: If you desire to infuse the garlic with some herb flavor, add in a sprig of fresh herbs under the garlic bulb. This is optional.

The ingredients needed to make roasted garlic in the air fryer.

How to Roast Garlic in Air Fryer

Here are the basic instructions for garlic in air fryer. For the full step by step instructions check out the recipe card down below this post.

Preheat. Preheat the air fryer. Prepare four 8 x 12 inch sheets of aluminum or tin foil and four 8 x 12 inch sheets of parchment paper.
Cut garlic. Remove a couple layers of dry skin from the garlic bulbs, leaving a layer or two. Cut about 1/4 inch off of the tops of the garlic heads.
Place garlic. Lay down one of the rectangle sheets of aluminum foil down and lay parchment paper on top. Place garlic bulb on top.
Add seasoning. Drizzle or brush on olive oil. Add salt and pepper and herbs if using.
Make packets. Pull the parchment paper up around the garlic, twisting at the top to close it. Close up the foil around parchment.
Cook. Cook the garlic.
Cool. Let garlic cool for about 10 minutes before using it.
Get cloves out. Remove cloves with a small fork or squeeze them from the base.
Refrigerate. Put any unused garlic cloves into olive oil and make sure to refrigerate promptly so there is no risk of food poisoning.

Step by step instructions of how to make air fried roasted garlic.

Air Fryer Garlic Tips and Variations

Fresh herbs. If you like you can add fresh whole herbs in with each garlic bulb. Just add a small sprig of herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or sage into the packet to infuse the garlic with herby flavor.
Make it spicy. Add some chili pepper flakes to the packets.
Use more roasted garlic. If you are wanting to replace roasted garlic for raw garlic in a recipe, make sure to use extra because the roasted garlic is much milder in flavor.
Air fryer. This recipe can be made in the basket style air fryer or the oven style air fryer. I use the Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer that has a basket.
Don’t eat too much of it. It can be easy to eat a lot of this garlic. Try not to over do it because eating too much can upset your stomach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is roasted garlic? Garlic that is cooked, makes it softer and easier to digest. It gets all caramelized and delicious when roasted.

Is roasted garlic good for you? Garlic can offer a variety of health benefits. It has a small amount of a lot of different vitamins, minerals, can combat the common cold, may even be able to reduce blood pressure, and can help with cholesterol levels.

Can you freeze roasted garlic? Yes, garlic that has been roasted can be frozen. I have provided the instructions below.

Is garlic an herb? Even though garlic seems like an herb, botanically it is a vegetable.

When is garlic done roasting? Once garlic has fully cooked it will be very soft and a golden brown color. If you don’t think it is done after 20 minutes, cook it for another 5 minutes and check it. Cook for an additional 5 minutes if needed. I cooked mine for 25 minutes and it was perfect. The longer it cooks the more mellow the flavor will become.

How to Store Roasted Garlic

Roasted garlic can be stored in a small airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days. It can also be frozen by removing the garlic from the bulb and placing into a freezer safe airtight container. Make sure to label with the recipe and the date. It should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen garlic in the fridge or add directly into recipes.

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5 from 10 votes