Olivia Carter
Garlic confit is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is made by slowly cooking garlic cloves in oil until they become tender and golden brown. The result is a rich and flavorful garlic paste that can be spread on bread, used as a topping for pizza or pasta, or incorporated into sauces and dressings.
In this article, we will show you how to make garlic confit in an air fryer. Air fryers are a convenient and efficient way to cook food using a minimal amount of oil. They work by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. Using an air fryer to make garlic confit allows you to achieve the same delicious results with less oil and in less time.
To make garlic confit in an air fryer, you will need a few simple ingredients: garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Start by peeling the cloves and placing them in a small oven-safe dish. Drizzle the cloves with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook at 300°F (150°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are soft and golden brown.
Once the garlic cloves are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Transfer the cloves to a clean jar and cover them with olive oil. This will help to preserve the garlic confit and enhance its flavor. You can store the garlic confit in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Garlic confit is a simple yet flavorful condiment that can add a burst of garlic flavor to any dish. Whether you use it as a spread, a topping, or an ingredient in other recipes, making garlic confit in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy its rich and savory taste.
Preparation for Garlic Confit
Garlic confit is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes to add a rich and savory flavor. Making garlic confit in an air fryer is a quick and easy method that infuses the garlic cloves with a mellow and slightly sweet taste.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start making garlic confit in the air fryer, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand:
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 cup of olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Prepare the Garlic
To begin, separate the garlic cloves from the head and remove the papery skins. You can use as many cloves as you like depending on how much garlic confit you want to make.
Take a sharp knife and trim the ends of each clove, cutting off any brown or soft spots. This will ensure that your garlic confit turns out perfectly and free from any unpleasant flavors.
Air Fryer Method
Set your air fryer to a temperature of 300°F (150°C) and preheat it for a few minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, place the prepared garlic cloves in a heatproof container.
Pour the olive oil over the garlic cloves, making sure they are completely submerged. This will ensure that the garlic confit cooks evenly and infuses the oil with its flavors.
Season the garlic cloves with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add additional seasonings, such as herbs or spices, to enhance the flavor of your garlic confit.
Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the container with the garlic and oil into the air fryer basket. Cook the garlic confit for about 45 minutes or until the cloves are tender and golden brown.
After the cooking time is complete, remove the container from the air fryer and let the garlic confit cool completely. The confit can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Now that you have learned the preparation steps for making garlic confit in an air fryer, you can easily incorporate this flavorful condiment into your favorite recipes. Whether you spread it on bread, toss it with pasta, or use it as a topping for roasted vegetables, garlic confit is sure to add a delicious depth of flavor to any dish.
Choosing the Right Garlic
When making garlic confit in an air fryer, it’s important to choose the right garlic for the best flavor and texture. There are several types of garlic available in the market, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting garlic for your confit:
1. Freshness
Opt for fresh garlic cloves that are firm and plump. Avoid garlic that feels soft or has sprouted, as it may have lost its flavor.
2. Variety
There are two main types of garlic: softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic is more commonly found and has a milder flavor. It is also easier to braid and has a longer shelf life. Hardneck garlic has a stronger flavor and is often preferred by garlic enthusiasts for its complex, spicy notes.
Consider the flavor profile you want to achieve in your garlic confit and choose the appropriate variety accordingly.
3. Organic vs. Conventional
Organic garlic is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making it a healthier choice. It also tends to have a stronger and more nuanced flavor. However, organic garlic can be more expensive than conventional garlic.
If the budget allows, opt for organic garlic for a more robust confit. Otherwise, conventional garlic will still yield tasty results.
Remember to select garlic that suits your preferences and recipe requirements. Freshness, variety, and organic vs. conventional are all factors to consider in order to achieve the best results in your air fryer garlic confit.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before getting started with making garlic confit in an air fryer, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Fresh garlic cloves: Choose plump and firm cloves for the best results. You’ll need enough to fill your air fryer basket.
– Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the most flavorful confit.
– Herbs and spices (optional): You can enhance the flavor of your garlic confit by adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves, as well as spices like black peppercorns or red pepper flakes.
– Salt: A pinch of salt will help bring out the flavors of the garlic.
– Air fryer: Make sure you have a functioning air fryer that is clean and ready to use.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can proceed with making delicious garlic confit using your air fryer.
Cooking Process
1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Peel and mince the garlic cloves.
3. In a small oven-safe dish or ramekin, add the minced garlic and cover with olive oil. Make sure the garlic is fully submerged in the oil.
4. Place the dish in the preheated air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
5. After 20 minutes, remove the dish from the air fryer and allow it to cool to room temperature.
6. Drain the garlic confit from the oil and transfer it to a clean, airtight container. The garlic confit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Garlic cloves | Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). |
| Olive oil | Peel and mince the garlic cloves. |
| In a small oven-safe dish, add the minced garlic and cover with olive oil. | |
| Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes. | |
| Remove the dish from the air fryer and allow it to cool. | |
| Drain the garlic confit from the oil and transfer to a container. |
Enjoy your homemade garlic confit! It can be used as a flavorful addition to a variety of dishes.
Peeling and Cleaning the Garlic
Before you start making garlic confit in an air fryer, you need to peel and clean the garlic cloves. Here are some tips to help you get the garlic ready:
1. Separate the cloves: Start by separating the garlic cloves from the bulb. Gently twist the bulb to loosen the cloves, then remove them one by one.
2. Peel the cloves: Place a garlic clove on a cutting board. Use the flat side of a knife or the heel of your palm to apply pressure on the clove. This will help loosen the skin. Once the skin is loose, simply peel it off with your fingers.
3. Remove any sprouted or damaged parts: Inspect each clove for any sprouted or damaged parts. If you see any green sprouts or brown spots, cut them off with a knife before using the cloves.
4. Rinse the cloves: Once the cloves are peeled, rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a paper towel before proceeding with the recipe.
By peeling and cleaning the garlic cloves properly, you ensure that you are using fresh and clean ingredients for your garlic confit. This will enhance the flavor and quality of the final dish.
Adding the Oil and Flavors
Once your peeled garlic cloves are in the air fryer safe container, it’s time to add the oil and flavors that will infuse the garlic with a rich and delicious taste.
You will need:
- 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the olive oil until it is just hot to the touch, but not boiling. This will help to infuse the oil with the flavors of the herbs and spices.
Add the fresh thyme, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to the warm oil. Gently stir the mixture to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.
Take care not to overheat the oil, as this can cause the flavors to become bitter. If the oil begins to bubble or fry, remove it from the heat immediately.
Once the oil is infused with the flavors, carefully pour it over the garlic cloves in the air fryer safe container. Make sure that all the cloves are submerged in the oil.
If necessary, use a spoon to gently press down on the garlic cloves to make sure they are covered by the oil. This will help to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
Once the garlic cloves are covered in the oil, you can move on to the next step of cooking them in the air fryer.
Air Frying the Garlic Confit
Once you have prepared the garlic confit, it’s time to air fry it to perfection. Follow these simple steps to enjoy golden and crispy garlic confit:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Remove the garlic cloves from the confit oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Lightly season the garlic cloves with salt and pepper for added flavor.
- Air fry the garlic for 5-7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. You may need to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Once the garlic confit is ready, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the crispy garlic confit as a topping for roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or spread it on crusty bread for a delicious snack.
Remember to store any leftover garlic confit in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Enjoy the amazing flavors of air-fried garlic confit in your favorite recipes!
Setting up the Air Fryer
Before you can begin making garlic confit in the air fryer, you need to set it up properly. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that your garlic confit cooks evenly and thoroughly.
2. Assemble the Air Fryer Basket
Take out the air fryer basket from the appliance and line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the garlic cloves from sticking to the basket and make cleaning up easier afterwards. Note that not all air fryers require parchment paper, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions if needed.
3. Prepare the Garlic
Peel and trim the desired amount of garlic cloves. Make sure they are clean and dry before proceeding. You can use whole cloves or slice them thinly – it’s up to your preference. The size of the cloves will affect the cooking time, so keep that in mind.
4. Season the Garlic
Place the garlic cloves in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and toss them gently to coat evenly. The olive oil will infuse the garlic with a rich, smooth flavor while keeping it moist during the cooking process. Salt and pepper enhance the overall taste.
5. Arrange the Garlic in the Air Fryer
Transfer the seasoned garlic cloves to the prepared air fryer basket. Spread them out evenly to ensure proper air circulation. If you’re using sliced garlic, make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping.
You are now ready to proceed with cooking the garlic confit in your air fryer. The settings and cooking time will vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so be sure to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
| Temperature | Time |
|---|---|
| 350°F (175°C) | Approximately 15-20 minutes |
FAQ
What is garlic confit?
Garlic confit is a cooking technique where garlic cloves are slowly cooked in oil at a low temperature until they become soft and tender. The result is a mellow and sweet garlic flavor that is perfect for adding to various dishes.
Can I make garlic confit in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make garlic confit in an air fryer. The air fryer provides a convenient way to cook garlic cloves in oil without the need for constant stovetop monitoring. Simply place the garlic cloves and oil in a heat-safe container, and cook them in the air fryer at a low temperature until they become soft and tender.
