Roasting Garlic: How Long Does It Take?

Roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from mashed potatoes to soups and sauces. It has a rich, nutty, and sweet flavour that is a far cry from the sharpness of raw garlic. Roasting garlic is a simple process that can be done in an oven or air fryer. In an oven, garlic cloves are usually roasted at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F for anywhere between 20 and 70 minutes. The garlic is often coated in olive oil and wrapped in foil or placed in a parchment paper packet to prevent it from drying out.

How to roast garlic cloves in an oven

Ingredients

• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Salt & Pepper
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400ºF/200ºC.
• Place the unpeeled garlic cloves in a bowl and coat them in olive oil.
• Arrange the garlic cloves on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Season the garlic cloves with salt and pepper.
• Roast the garlic cloves in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Check the garlic cloves at the 15-minute mark and return them to the oven if they need more time. Check on them every few minutes until they are ready.
• The garlic cloves are ready when they are tender, golden, and creamy.

Tips

• You can use melted butter instead of olive oil to coat the garlic cloves.
• Sprinkle the garlic cloves lightly with dried thyme for an extra layer of flavor.

How to store roasted garlic

Roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to soups and sauces. But how do you store it to ensure it stays fresh and flavorful? Here are some tips to keep your roasted garlic tasting great:

Refrigerating Roasted Garlic:

Storing roasted garlic in the refrigerator is a great option if you plan on using it within a couple of weeks. Here are two methods:

• Place the cooled, peeled roasted garlic cloves in a clean jar and cover them with extra virgin olive oil. The oil acts as a natural preservative by isolating the garlic from air exposure, delaying oxidation, deterioration, and moulding. However, do not store garlic in olive oil at room temperature as it provides the perfect conditions for producing botulism toxin.
• Store the roasted garlic (peeled or unpeeled) in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to four days.

Freezing Roasted Garlic:

If you want to keep your roasted garlic for longer, freezing is a great option. Here are some methods:

• Spread the mashed roasted garlic in a thin layer on a baking sheet and freeze it. Once frozen, transfer the garlic to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method allows you to snap off pieces as needed without thawing the entire batch.
• Freeze individual roasted garlic cloves by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a sealed bag or container. This method is perfect for when you need just a clove or two at a time.
• Freeze the roasted garlic as larger pieces or mash it first, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method is ideal for when you need a larger amount of garlic at once.

No matter which storage method you choose, always label your container with the date and try to use the roasted garlic within the recommended time frame for the best flavor and texture.

How to use roasted garlic

Roasted garlic has a sweet, nutty, buttery, and caramelized flavour. Here are some ways to use it:

Spread on Bread

Roasted garlic can be spread on bread, toast, or focaccia. It can be eaten as is or with cheese (such as brie or blue cheese) or roasted cherry tomatoes.

Dips

Roasted garlic can be mixed with sour cream or yogurt to make a dip. It can also be added to a labneh-based dip, white bean dip, whipped ricotta, hummus, or baba ghanoush.

Sauces and Dressings

Roasted garlic can be used in place of fresh garlic in sauces and dressings. It can be blended into sauces like alfredo or pureed into condiments like hummus. It can also be added to marinara sauce and tahini sauce.

Soups

Roasted garlic can be added to soups, such as vegan potato leek soup or creamy tomato soup.

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted garlic can be stirred into mashed potatoes.

Charcuterie/Cheese Board

Roasted garlic can be added to a charcuterie or cheese board.

Pasta

Roasted garlic can be tossed with pasta or added to pasta sauces. It can also be mashed and added to stuffed crusts.

Other Ideas

• Roasted garlic can be added to pizza, especially white pizza sauce.
• It can be used to make garlic butter.
• It can be added to macaroni and cheese.
• It can be added to meatballs, lentils, or stews.
• It can be used to make garlic aioli.
• It can be infused into olive oil.
• It can be added to corn on the cob.

How to prevent garlic from drying out while roasting

Roasting garlic is a great way to mellow out its pungent flavor and enhance its sweetness. However, it can be tricky to get it right, and roasted garlic can easily dry out and burn. Here are some tips to prevent garlic from drying out while roasting:

Use a Garlic Baker

A garlic baker, or garlic roaster, is a small ceramic pot usually made of terracotta. The porous clay promotes slow, even heating, allowing plenty of time for the roasted garlic flavor to develop fully. Some garlic bakers have a tiny hole in the lid to vent steam and retain moisture. This helps prevent your garlic from drying out.

Roast in Little Packets

Wrapping garlic in foil or parchment paper before roasting helps to distribute heat evenly and protects the garlic from the oven's intense heat. It also helps to retain steam and moisture, preventing the garlic from drying out. You can also sneak some fresh herbs into the packet to infuse more flavor.

Use Olive Oil

Olive oil is crucial when roasting garlic. It moisturizes the garlic, helping to prevent it from drying out. It also distributes heat evenly and facilitates the caramelization process, giving roasted garlic its signature creamy texture and rich taste. Drizzle olive oil over the cut bulb or individual cloves before roasting.

Choose the Right Garlic

Old garlic is more likely to be bitter and dry, so always use fresh garlic. It should be firm when gently squeezed. Additionally, choose medium to large heads of garlic. Smaller heads can dry out or burn more easily.

Don't Overcook

Overcooked garlic will be hard and dry, so it's important to monitor the garlic as it cooks. Most garlic roasts take about 45 minutes to an hour, but this can vary depending on the size of the bulb. To check if your garlic is done, pierce the center of a clove with a knife or fork. It should slide through easily with no resistance. You can also gently squeeze the bulb through the foil to ensure it's soft.

How to roast garlic cloves in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Garlic bulb(s)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional

Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, or dill)

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Aluminium foil
• Oven mitts
• Tongs

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-390°F/190-198°C.
• Separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves, and peel them.
• Place the cloves on a piece of aluminium foil.
• Drizzle the cloves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Wrap the aluminium foil tightly around the garlic cloves.
• Place the wrapped garlic in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until soft.
• Carefully open the foil pouch—it will be full of hot steam.
• Remove the garlic cloves from the foil and enjoy!

Storage

Roasted garlic cloves can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or frozen for up to three months. You can also cover them in olive oil to preserve them for longer.

Frequently asked questions