The smell of garlic slowly turning golden in warm oil fills the kitchen like a promise. This air fryer garlic confit transforms humble cloves into silky, spreadable magic in just twenty minutes. It’s become the secret weapon home cooks are reaching for instead of waiting hours with traditional methods.
Think buttery, mellow garlic that melts on your tongue paired with golden infused oil that’s pure liquid gold. The air fryer does all the gentle work while you go about your day. You get tender cloves perfect for spreading on crusty bread and aromatic oil that transforms everything from roasted potatoes to simple pasta.
Started making this back in 2014 when my little air fryer felt more like a kitchen experiment than essential tool. My Eleanor would sneak the soft cloves straight from the jar like candy. The revelation? Low temperature is everything – too hot and you get bitter bits instead of creamy sweetness. Now I always keep a jar tucked in the fridge.
PrintAir Fryer Garlic Confit Easy Delicious Recipe
This Air Fryer Garlic Confit recipe is quick and simple, delivering buttery soft garlic perfect for many dishes. Enjoy it alongside Garlic Parmesan Wings Air Fryer or add it to your Roasted Garlic Recipes for flavorful results. A must-try for garlic lovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Servings 10 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American, French
- Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
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
Instructions
- Put peeled garlic cloves and thyme or rosemary into your baking dish.
- Pour enough olive oil to cover the garlic and herbs completely.
- Cook in the air fryer at 250F for one hour without preheating. If the air fryer heats quickly, consider lowering to 200F and check halfway to avoid browning.
- Let the container cool until it can be safely handled but keep it inside the air fryer to cool faster if needed.
- Use the garlic and oil right away or store in the fridge for up to one month, warming oil to room temperature before use.
Notes
- Mash garlic confit onto toast with sea salt, blend into mashed potatoes, spread on avocado toast, use as an appetizer topping, or incorporate the infused oil into dressings and cooking for enhanced flavor
Nutrition
- Calories: 44kcal
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g + 3g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.4g
Why This Air Fryer Garlic Confit Will Transform Your Kitchen
Traditional garlic confit demands patiencetypically hours of gentle oven time that fills your home with anticipation. This air fryer garlic confit delivers that same silky, golden magic in just one hour. The cloves emerge tender enough to spread like butter, while the infused oil becomes liquid gold for everything from salad dressings to roasted vegetables.
What makes this method so special is the gentle, circulating heat that coaxes out garlic’s sweetness without any bitter edges. No more watching the oven or worrying about hot spots. The air fryer cradles your garlic in warm oil, creating that perfect slow bubble that transforms sharp cloves into creamy, caramelized gems.
Essential Ingredients and Tools
The beauty lies in simplicity: just garlic cloves, olive oil, and perhaps a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary for that aromatic touch. Choose plump, firm garlic heads and peel each clove with care. The olive oil becomes just as precious as the garlic itself, so select one you’d happily drizzle over fresh bread.
- Garlic cloves: 2-3 heads yield about 20-30 cloves – perfect for multiple uses
- Olive oil: Just enough to cover completely, usually ½ to 1 cup
- Fresh herbs: Thyme or rosemary adds elegant fragrance
- Small oven-safe container: A ramekin or even muffin tin cups work beautifully
The Gentle Art of Air Fryer Garlic Confit
Low and slow becomes the golden rule here. At 250°F, your garlic bathes in warm oil with just gentle bubblingnever the aggressive sizzle that turns sweetness bitter. The magic happens gradually as each clove softens and takes on that beautiful golden hue.
Nestle your peeled garlic cloves and herbs in your container, then pour olive oil until everything disappears beneath the surface. One hour later, you’ll have tender cloves that yield to the gentlest pressure and oil that carries the essence of slow-cooked garlic in every drop.
| Temperature | Time | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| 250°F | 1 hour | Gentle bubbling, golden cloves |
| 200°F | 1-1.5 hours | Use if your air fryer runs hot |
| Cool down | 20 minutes | Safe to handle, oil stops bubbling |
Troubleshooting Your Garlic Confit
Every air fryer has its own personality, much like the old ovens our grandmothers knew by heart. If your garlic starts browning too quickly, simply lower the temperature to 200°F or even less. The oil should whisper with tiny bubbles, never roar with aggressive heat.
- Garlic browning too fast: Lower temperature immediately to prevent bitterness
- Oil not bubbling: Increase temperature by 25°F increments
- Hot oil splattering: Let cool completely in the air fryer before moving
Pro Tip: Check your air fryer’s actual temperature with an oven thermometer if you’re unsure – some models run hotter than their settings suggest.
Creative Ways to Use Your Golden Treasure
Both the silky cloves and the garlic-infused oil deserve starring roles in your kitchen. Mash those tender cloves onto warm toast with a sprinkle of coarse salt, or fold them into mashed potatoes for instant richness. The aromatic oil transforms simple pasta, elevates roasted potatoes, and brings depth to homemade salad dressings.
Think of this as your secret ingredient for effortless elegance. Spread it on crostini for instant appetizers, blend it into compound butter, or use that precious oil when sautéing vegetables. Even a drizzle over fresh tomatoes and basil creates something extraordinary from the everyday.
| Use the Garlic | Use the Oil |
|---|---|
| Toast and avocado spreads | Salad dressings |
| Mashed into potatoes | Sautéing vegetables |
| Crostini and appetizers | Drizzling over pasta |
| Compound butter base | Roasting potatoes |
Storage and Keeping Your Confit Fresh
Transfer your cooled garlic and oil to a clean jar, making sure the cloves stay submerged beneath their protective oil blanket. Refrigerated, this golden treasure keeps for up to a month, growing more mellow and complex with time.
The olive oil will solidify in the cold, but simply let it return to room temperature before using. Both elements work beautifully together or separatelynever waste a drop of that precious, garlic-scented oil.
- Storage: Clean jar in refrigerator, cloves covered with oil
- Duration: Up to 1 month when properly stored
- Oil tip: Let solidified oil warm to room temperature before using
Expert Says
Utilizing an air fryer for garlic confit provides precise temperature control, minimizing the risk of burning while gently softening cloves. This method helps preserve garlic’s natural oils and flavors, enhancing its sweetness and nutritional benefits, making air fryer garlic confit both convenient and health-conscious.
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Perfecting Air Fryer Garlic Confit at Home
It took several kitchen experimentsand a few singed clovesto finally get this air fryer garlic confit just right. I learned to slow the heat and trust the gentle cooking, bringing out the soft, sweet garlic flavor my family loves. This recipe is the result of time, patience, and a bit of trial and error.
FAQs ( Air Fryer Garlic Confit )
How long does it take to make garlic confit in the air fryer?
This recipe usually takes about 40-45 minutes at a low temperature around 180°F to 200°F. Cooking slowly allows the garlic to soften and develop a rich, mellow flavor without burning. Check every 10-15 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly and the cloves become tender and golden.
Can I use the garlic confit oil for cooking?
Yes, the garlic-infused olive oil leftover from this dish is perfect for drizzling over salads or sautéing vegetables. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just make sure to heat it gently to preserve its delicate flavor and avoid overheating.
What are some creative ways to use garlic confit?
Try spreading the softened garlic on toasted bread or mixing it into mashed potatoes for extra depth. It can also be mashed into dressings or sauces for richer flavor. The oil works great for roasting sliced potatoes in the air fryer or adding a tasty boost to chickpea airfryer recipes.
How do I store leftover garlic confit safely?
Store the garlic confit in a clean, airtight container and keep it refrigerated. Use within two weeks for best freshness. To prevent spoilage, always use a clean spoon when taking garlic from the jar and keep it submerged in oil to limit air exposure.
Is it possible to make garlic confit in the oven instead of the air fryer?
Yes, you can make it in the oven by cooking garlic cloves slowly at about 200°F for 40-60 minutes until tender. The process is similar to the air fryer but requires more attention to avoid burning. Using a low, consistent heat helps the cloves soften and mellow evenly.
This air fryer garlic confit delivers pure comfort in just one hour, transforming sharp cloves into silky, golden treasures that melt on your tongue. You’ll love how the gentle bubbling creates that perfect caramelized sweetness, while the infused oil becomes liquid gold for everything your kitchen touches. The aroma alone carries you back to grandmother’s kitchen, where patience and love seasoned every dish.
Try tucking fresh rosemary or thyme alongside your garlic for an herbal whisper that elevates every bite. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds gentle warmth without overwhelming that mellow sweetness. Store your precious confit in the refrigerator for up to a monththough in my experience, jars disappear much faster when family discovers this treasure hidden on the shelf.
Have you tried spreading this golden garlic on warm crusty bread with a sprinkle of coarse salt? I’d love to hear how this recipe finds its way into your family’s heart and kitchen. Share a photo when you make itthere’s something so beautiful about capturing these simple moments that nourish both body and soul, creating memories one tender clove at a time.
