Roasted garlic is a kitchen basic everyone should have up their sleeve. The cloves turn buttery-soft, sweet, and deeply aromatic, adding incredible flavor to all kinds of savory dishes. In the air fryer, it's ready in under 25 minutes — no oil required.
I only recently discovered just how amazing roasted garlic tastes, while developing my recipe for white beans in a garlic-sweet potato sauce. I never would have guessed just how much a sharp little garlic clove transforms after spending some time in the oven or air fryer. (Why doesn't anyone teach us this in school?)
That sharp, intense bite almost completely disappears, leaving behind a garlic paste with a sweet, mellow flavor. You can use this paste in all sorts of dishes, and on busy days, roasted garlic is a shortcut to packing your meals with flavor, fast. So definitely give it a try!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in a flash in the air fryer – you'll save up to 20 minutes of cooking time compared to the classic oven method.
- No oil needed – the garlic turns wonderfully soft without a drop of oil.
- Incredibly versatile – use it as a spread, or stir it into sauces, dressings, hummus, or soups.
- Just one ingredient – garlic, that's it!
The Ingredients
You only need a single ingredient: garlic, in whole bulbs. Choose large, firm bulbs with big cloves if you can, and avoid any bulbs that have already started to sprout.
Each bulb gives you about 10 to 15 soft cloves once roasted. I recommend roasting two to three bulbs at a time — the finished garlic paste keeps for a few days in the fridge, and you can freeze it in small portions, too.
You'll also need some aluminum foil or parchment paper: wrapping the garlic keeps it from drying out in the air fryer. Alternatively, a small oven-safe dish with a lid works well too.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Slice off the top 0.2–0.4 inch (0.5–1 cm) of each garlic bulb so all cloves are just exposed.
- Step 2: Wrap each bulb individually in parchment paper and seal it tightly.
- Step 3: Place the wrapped bulbs in the air fryer and roast for 25 minutes, until the cloves are golden brown and butter-soft.
- Step 4: Let the bulbs cool briefly, then squeeze the cloves out of their skins.
Mash the cloves with a fork into a smooth paste. Stored in a sealed jar, your roasted garlic will keep in the fridge for up to 6 days.
Top Tips
Keep these little things in mind for perfectly soft, golden roasted garlic every time:
- Expose every clove – make sure all the cloves are exposed before roasting; small ones tucked at the edges are easy to miss.
- Check for doneness – the cloves should feel completely soft when pressed and look golden to light brown. Still a bit firm? Just give them another 5 minutes.
- Freeze for later – roasted garlic freezes beautifully. Spread the cloves on a baking sheet or plate and freeze for 15–20 minutes, then transfer to a freezer bag so you can grab just the amount you need.
Serving suggestions
There are so many ways to use your air-fryer roasted garlic. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
- Spread it on crusty fresh bread – hello, homemade garlic bread!
- Stir it into hummus, baba ganoush, or your favorite dip
- Stir into pasta sauces, soups, and stews for deep flavor
- Whisk into salad dressings and marinades
- Press it into pizza or focaccia dough before baking
FAQ
I wouldn't recommend it, since the garlic dries out quickly without it. If you'd rather skip the wrapping, use a small oven-safe dish with a lid instead.
Yes! Peeled individual cloves can be roasted at 375°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes.
Stored in a sealed jar in the fridge, it keeps for 5–7 days. In the freezer, it'll keep for up to 3 months.
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I hope you’ll give this easy air-fryer roasted garlic recipe a try. If you love this recipe, be sure to leave a comment, rate the recipe⭐️ and tag me on instagram (#veggiejam) with your recreation.
PrintRecipe
Roasted Garlic in the Air Fryer (Without Oil)
Roasted garlic from the air fryer – no oil needed, ready in just 25 minutes, incredibly aromatic, and endlessly versatile in the kitchen.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2–3 whole garlic bulbs
Instructions
- Slice off the top 0.2–0.4 in (0.5–1 cm) of each bulb.
- Wrap each bulb individually in parchment paper and seal.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
- Let cool, squeeze out the cloves, and mash with a fork.
- Use right away or store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Notes
- Use large bulbs with big cloves.
This post is also available in German (Deutsch).
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