Air fryer roasted garlic has that signature flavor we love with a slightly-sweet caramelized finish that makes it irresistible. Use in sauces, pasta, sandwiches, and so much more.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
While I love roasted garlic, I don’t always have the patience to wait 40 minutes or more while it roasts in the oven.
So when I found out that air fryer roasted garlic takes about half that time, I was ecstatic!
This recipe is so easy to make and goes with just about everything.
The rich, fragrant, slightly nutty, slightly sweet flavor is mild enough to spread over a cracker, but still holds its own in sauces, dips, and so much more.
Once you try it, you’ll find endless uses for it!
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- The easiest way to make roasted garlic in the air fryer in just 20 minutes
- How long to roast garlic in the air fryer
- My favorite ways to enjoy roast garlic
- How to make air fryer roasted garlic without foil
Even though the garlic cooks for less time in the air fryer, the cloves still turn out soft, tender, and easily spreadable.
They’re perfect on pretty much everything! The next time you want to take a meal to the next level, you can’t go wrong adding roasted garlic.
How to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Carefully slice the tops off the garlic bulbs so the cloves inside are exposed.
STEP THREE: Drizzle the olive oil over each garlic bulb, making sure all the cloves are covered in oil.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle salt on each bulb, then tightly wrap each bulb in tin foil.
STEP FIVE: Place the garlic in the air fryer basket and cook for 18-20 minutes until the garlic is tender.
STEP SIX: Allow the garlic to cool until you can comfortably handle the bulbs. Remove the cloves from the papery skin.
How Long to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer
This is going to depend on the size of your bulbs. We want to make sure all the cloves have time to get soft and tender to really bring out that rich, caramelized flavor.
I find that 18-20 minutes is usually plenty of time, but you may need to experiment based on the size of your bulbs and your make and model of air fryer.
Do You Need to Peel Garlic Before Air Frying?
Nope! The beauty of roasting garlic is that the cloves cook right in the bulb. The key is to cut off enough of the top of the bulb to ensure all of the cloves are exposed.
That way, you can drizzle the oil over all of them.
After the garlic has finished roasting, the cloves should slide right out of the papery skin. It’s much easier than trying to peel them while raw!
What to Do with Roasted Garlic
- Use it in place of the fresh garlic in this Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Air Fryer Garlic Knots, or Garlic Cheese Bread
- Beat it into Mashed Potatoes
- Mix with butter to serve over Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon
- Enjoy on crackers
- Combine with mayonnaise for an aioli to serve on sandwiches or wraps
Can You Make Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Without Foil?
Yes! One option is to place the garlic bulb in an air-fryer-safe baking dish before pouring oil overtop.
Cook for about 10 minutes, checking on the garlic as you go, and remove it from the basket once the top is caramelized. Check frequently to ensure the garlic doesn’t burn.
You could also peel the garlic, toss the cloves in olive oil, then place them on parchment paper in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing frequently, until the cloves start to caramelize.
If you use either of these methods, note that the garlic may not get quite as creamy.
Using tin foil helps us trap the moisture, allowing the garlic bulbs to steam as they cook.
But if you’d prefer not to use aluminum foil, either of these methods will still give you that rich, roasted garlic taste!
Can You Store Leftover Air Fryer Roasted Garlic?
Leftovers can be stored for up to a week. Simply place the roasted cloves in a glass jar with a screw top or other airtight container and submerge in olive oil.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Mushooms
- Air Fry Tomatoes
- Air Fryer Blooming Onion
- Air Fryer Cheerse Curds
- Air Fryer Falafel
- Air Fryer Sauteed Onions
Love air frying? Join our newsletter! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our free Facebook Air Frying Community.
Air Fryer Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- 3 full bulbs garlic
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 F
- Carefully slice the tops off the garlic bulbs; the cloves inside should be exposed.
- Drizzle the olive oil over top of each garlic bulb, making sure all the cloves get covered.
- Sprinkle salt on each bulb and tightly wrap each in tin foil.
- Place garlic into your air fryer and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until garlic is tender.
- Allow to cool until you can handle and remove the bulbs from the papery skin.
