Ultimate Air Fryer Garlic Confit for Tantalizing Taste

There’s something magical about peeling garlic while the leaves dance outside and the kitchen smells warm and woodsy. This Air Fryer Garlic Confit fills the house with buttery, roasted richness in just minutesno stovetop babysitting. It’s trending like crazyand not just because it’s delicious slathered on toast or spooned into soups.

It’s just garlic, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a quick spin in the air fryer. Soft, mellow, almost sweet. Like the roasted garlic grandma used to slow-cook, but this version skips the hours and the oven. You’ll love that it uses pantry staples and keeps beautifully in the fridge. Works wonders with garlic parmesan wings or folded into mashed potatoes, too.

I started making this in early 2022 during a chilly January when garlic bulbs were piling up on my counter. My husband walked in, grabbed a piece of sourdough, and said, “Waitthis tastes like garlic butter candy.” What I learned? Let the oil bubble low and slow in the fryer basketno crisping, just coaxing. After over a decade of documenting wholesome, rustic cooking, this one’s officially a go-to in our kitchen.

Yesica Andrews

Air Fryer Garlic Confit Easy Delicious Recipe

This Air Fryer Garlic Confit recipe is the quickest and simplest way to prepare soft, buttery, and caramelized garlic using your air fryer. Perfect for enhancing dishes like Garlic Parmesan Wings Air Fryer or incorporating into Roasted Garlic Recipes, this method also produces flavorful garlic-infused olive oil. Enjoy a versatile condiment that elevates spreads, dressings, and more with minimal effort.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 44

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2-3 heads garlic – peeled (about 20-30 cloves), use as many as you want
• ½ – 1 cup olive oil – enough to completely cover the garlic in a small oven-safe container
• sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary – optional (it looks fancy and adds an herbal aroma)

Method

 

1. Place peeled garlic cloves and fresh thyme or rosemary into a small baking-safe container.
2. Pour olive oil over the garlic and herbs until they are fully submerged.
3. Set the air fryer to 250°F and cook the garlic mixture for 1 hour, checking halfway and lowering the temperature to 200°F if the garlic starts to brown too quickly.
4. Make sure the oil is gently bubbling but not frying the garlic to avoid burning.
5. Once cooked, carefully let the container cool inside the air fryer until it’s safe to handle to avoid hot oil splatters.
6. Transfer the garlic and oil to a sealed jar and refrigerate; it can be stored up to 1 month.
7. Allow the oil to warm to room temperature before use, letting it return to liquid form if solidified in the fridge.
8. Use the confit garlic and infused oil in various dishes like dressings, spreads, or cooking for added depth and flavor.

Notes

• Try mashing a few confit cloves on toast or savory scones with sea salt.
• Add garlic confit and oil into mashed potatoes for richness.
• Spread confit garlic on avocado toast with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
• Use as a topping on crostini for appetizers.
• Prepare garlic confit butter or mix into roasted garlic dip.
• Utilize the infused olive oil for sautéing, seasoning hummus, roasted potatoes, or no-mayo potato salad.
• Remember, the nutrition info is approximate depending on oil usage.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Garlic Confit

This recipe brings cozy kitchen magic with a practical twist. Here’s why you’ll adore it:

• Effortless: No stovetop monitoring or fussy techniquesjust your air fryer!
• Quick Comfort: Achieve buttery, caramelized garlic in a fraction of the time it takes to roast traditionally.
• Versatile: Spread it, mash it, or use the richly garlicky oil in dressings and sautés.
• Beginner-Friendly: With few ingredients and foolproof steps, this recipe is perfect for any home cook.
• Storage-Ready: Keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a month, making it ideal for meal prep.

Key Ingredients & Tools

All you need are a few simple items to make this recipe shine:

• Garlic: Use 2-3 heads (about 20-30 cloves). Peel them in advance for convenience.
• Olive Oil: This provides a luxurious, buttery texture and gently covers the garlic for perfect confit.
• Optional Thyme or Rosemary: A sprig adds a faint herbal aroma, but it’s entirely optional if you prefer pure garlic flavor.
• Tools: You’ll need an air fryer, an oven-safe dish (like a ramekin or a muffin tin), oven mitts, and a trivet for safe cooling.

How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Confit

This technique is straightforward and incredibly rewardinghere’s your easy step-by-step guide:

1. Prep: Place the peeled garlic cloves and your herb sprig (if using) in an oven-safe dish. Pour enough olive oil over them to fully cover the garlic.
2. Cook: Set your air fryer to 250°F and cook for 1 hour. If your air fryer tends to run hot, start at 200°F and adjust as needed. The oil should bubble gently, avoiding any rapid frying.
3. Check: If the cloves appear to be browning halfway through cooking, reduce the temperature to prevent them from burning.
4. Cool: Let the dish cool inside the air fryer for about 20 minutes to prevent any oil splatters when removing it.
5. Enjoy or Store: Use your confit right away, or transfer it to a clean jar for refrigeration.

Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on your air fryerevery model may cook slightly differently. Testing at lower temperatures first ensures perfectly tender results!

Helpful Cooking & Timing Chart

Tips & Tweaks

This recipe is super forgiving, but here are a few details to help you make it your own:

• Garlic Size: If your cloves are very small, watch them closely as they will cook faster.
• Herb-Free: Skip the thyme or rosemary entirely if you prefer a pure, unadulterated garlic flavor.
• Oil Types: Stick with olive oil for the best taste and consistency. Avoid coconut oil, as its strong flavor can overwhelm the delicate garlic.
• Storage Tip: Always use a clean, dry jar to store your confit. Refrigerate promptly to keep it fresh and safe!

Serving & Storage Suggestions

This air fryer garlic confit adds a warm, savory touch to so many dishes. Here’s how you can use it:

• Garlicky Spreads: Mash the soft cloves onto toast or crostini with a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Flavor Boosters: Incorporate mashed confit into mashed potatoes, creamy soups, or roasted vegetables for extra depth.
• Oil Perks: Use the infused olive oil as a base for salad dressings or for sautéing your favorite ingredients.

Leftovers? No problem! Here’s a quick guide:

Expert Says

Using an air fryer to make garlic confit gently cooks the garlic cloves at a consistent temperature, preserving their natural sugars while reducing harsh sulfur compounds. This method enhances flavor and texture, making the confit smoother and more aromatic without the long wait of traditional stovetop techniques.

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Mastering the Air Fryer Garlic Confit at Home

After several rounds of tweaking, including a few batches that browned too quickly or missed that silky texture, I finally nailed the perfect air fryer garlic confit. This recipe is the result of patient tasting and adjusting, and now it’s a simple, flavorful staple I trust to brighten family meals.

FAQs ( Air Fryer Garlic Confit )

Conclusion

In just about an hour, your Air Fryer Garlic Confit will fill your kitchen with that irresistible, mellow aromasoft, buttery cloves ready to elevate any meal. You’ll love how effortlessly it delivers that homemade, comforting taste without fuss or long hours.

Feel free to add a sprig of rosemary for a subtle herbal lift or swap in avocado oil for a different twist. One trick I picked up from my aunt’s kitchen: store it in a clean jar, and the flavors deepen beautifully after a day or two. Reheat gently to keep that silky texture intact.

I’d love to hear if garlic confit was part of your family table growing up, or how you plan to use yours now! Don’t forget to save this recipe and share your photosyou’ll want to make this cozy kitchen staple again and again.