When roasted, garlic takes on a slightly sweet, buttery taste that is beyond delicious by itself or in your favorite garlic-forward recipes!
Why roast garlic?
If you’ve ever tasted roasted garlic, then you KNOW why roasting it is the way to go. As much as I love adding raw garlic to pretty much everything I make (whether it’s included in the recipe or not), roasting garlic gives it an almost caramelized flavor and deliciously spreadable texture – so while it does bring such a depth of flavor to recipes, it’s equally as delicious all on its own as a spread over top a nice piece of crusty bread…YUM.
What does roasted garlic taste like?
Roasted garlic is deliciously buttery with a hint of sweetness (that you definitely don’t get from raw garlic) from getting caramelized during the roasting process.
Are there nutritional benefits to eating roasted garlic?
In general, garlic is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s been shown to help regulate cholesterol, lower and improve high blood pressure, improve the body’s immune system, strengthen bones and joints, and prevent fatigue. Pretty amazing, right?
Does roasting garlic make your house stink?
I prefer to think of the aromas as reminiscent of vacationing in an Italian villa (which sounds lovely to me!). If the smell of garlic is overwhelming or undesirable to you, though, know that the end product here (wonderfully roasted garlic) is 100% worth it.
Oven Roasted Garlic Ingredients + Supplies
You don’t need much when it comes to roasting garlic. A bulb (or 5!) of garlic and enough aluminum foil for wrapping will do the trick:
- Garlic Bulb – you’ll need at least 1 bulb of garlic for roasting. I actually prefer to roast several at a time (see storage tips below!), since the effort is just the same.
- Aluminum Foil – while this is not a traditional “ingredient” (more of a supply, really), you’ll also need enough aluminum foil to wrap each of your garlic bulbs in.
How to Prep Garlic for Roasting
Prepping your garlic for roasting is really simple. You’ll just need to peel off the outer layers of the garlic skin (be sure to leave the cloves attached, though) and cut the top of the bulb off. Once that’s done, it’s ready to be wrapped in aluminum foil!
Do I separate and roast the garlic cloves or do I roast the whole head of garlic?
While you will want to peel the outer skin off of the garlic bulb and slice off its top (see photos if that feels confusing!), you do *not* want to separate the cloves themselves. Roasting the bulb as a whole prevents the cloves from burning, allowing them to really soften and caramelize instead.
How to Roast Garlic in the Oven
Don’t be intimidated by this process! It’s actually really hands-off (wahoo!) and totally doable from your own kitchen (vs. only being something you get to enjoy when you’re out at your favorite Italian restaurant). Here’s how you’ll do it:
- Prep – preheat the oven to 375°F and peel the outer layers of the garlic skin off, leaving the cloves still attached. Cut the top of the bulb off, making sure to also cut the tops of the cloves hiding on the side.
- Wrap in foil – wrap the prepped garlic bulb in aluminum foil with the cut side up.
- Roast – bake the wrapped garlic at 375°F (balance in a muffin pan if needed) for 30-45 minutes.
- Let cool – remove the garlic from the oven and let cool before you handle.
- Enjoy – enjoy on its own or in a recipe (like this roasted garlic pesto).
Can I roast garlic in the air fryer?
You can! Magical, right? Start by prepping your garlic exactly the same way as you would if you were oven-roasting it (peel the outer skin, chop the top off, and wrap in aluminum foil), and then stick it into a 390°F air fryer for 20 minutes. Once the 20 minutes is up, carefully unwrap the garlic, check it for doneness, and if needed, wrap it back up to continue roasting for an extra 5-10 minutes in the air fryer.
How long to roast garlic?
Roasting garlic in the oven takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes and roasting it in the air fryer takes 20-25 minutes. Regardless of which method you’re using, the process is virtually hands-off, so you can use that roasting time as you’d like!
Can you overcook roasted garlic?
You can (though it isn’t easy). Perfectly roasted garlic should be golden in color and able to be easily pierced with a fork. If your garlic *smells* burnt or has blackened bits on it, it’s likely overcooked. Because it’s wrapped in aluminum foil, though, burning the garlic is actually relatively difficult if you’re following the recommended roasting times.
How to Store Roasted Garlic Cloves
If you’re looking for a short-term storage solution, toss your roasted garlic in an airtight container (or bag) and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also peel the garlic cloves, place them in a mason jar, add enough olive oil to the jar to completely cover the garlic cloves, and store them in the fridge this way for up to 10 days.
For the longest storage option, simply peel the roasted garlic cloves, spread them out on a sheet pan, and stick the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Once the garlic cloves are totally frozen, transfer them to a container or baggy for up to 6 months of storage!
How long will roasted garlic last?
It depends on how you store it! It’ll last for up to 10 days in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer (details above).
Ways to Use Roasted Garlic
The possibilities are TRULY endless here. A few of my very favorite uses:
- Combined with softened butter for a roasted garlic butter spread to be enjoyed on crusty bread.
- As a homemade pizza topping.
- Used in place of raw garlic in soups, stews, and other comforting, warm dishes.
- Slathered on top of a tender, juicy steak.
- Mixed into homemade hummus.
- As the star of the show in homemade roasted garlic pesto (my fav pesto ever).
Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 bulb of garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and peel the outer layers of the garlic skin off, leaving the cloves still attached. Cut the top of the bulb off, making sure to also cut the tops of the cloves hiding on the side.
- Wrap the prepped garlic bulb in aluminum foil with the cut side up.
- Roast the wrapped garlic at 375°F (balanced in a muffin pan if needed) for 30-45 minutes.
- Remove the garlic from the oven and let cool before handling.
- Enjoy on its own or in a recipe (like this roasted garlic pesto).
Nutrition
