This air fryer roasted garlic butter is rich, mellow, and the kind of spread you start putting on… everything. Warm bread, steaks, pasta, veggies, even rice on a Tuesday night. If you love garlicky things, this is your new house staple.
If you love bold condiments, try my Chili Garlic Oil next. It’s a flavor bomb.
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I started making roasted garlic butter because I was in a weeknight slump and needed something to make boring chicken less… boring. Then Costco had a sale on garlic (dangerous), and suddenly this became a fridge staple.
Now I smear it on anything that sits still long enough.
For another simple flavor-booster, try my Tortilla Garlic Bread. It’s absurdly fast.
Jump to:
- So… What Is Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Butter?
- Why You’ll Love It
- Ingredients
- Substitution and Additions
- How To Make Roasted Garlic Butter In The AirFryer
- Don’t Have a Mini Cocotte? Try This Easy Alternative
- What To Serve With This
- Storage
- Rose's Quick Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Quick and Easy Recipes
- Did you try this recipe?
- Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Butter
So… What Is Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Butter?
It’s exactly what it sounds like: soft, caramelized roasted garlic mashed into butter until it becomes this silky, savory spread. Using the air fryer speeds everything up, keeps cleanup minimal, and gives you that deep roasted flavor without turning on the oven.
Think: compound butter meets garlic bread starter kit.
Why You’ll Love It
- Packed with sweet, mellow roasted garlic flavor
- Ultra-creamy, spreadable, and melts beautifully
- Amazing on bread, steak, seafood, veggies, and more
- Quick and easy to make ahead
- Freezer-friendly and meal prep-approved
- Feels fancy, but it’s totally foolproof
Ingredients
This is just an overview—jump down to the full recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions!
- Garlic bulbs – Roasting brings out their natural sweetness.
- Butter (unsalted, softened) – easier to mix, absorbs all the flavor.
- Salt and pepper – A must for seasoning and balance.
- Olive oil – Helps caramelize the garlic in the oven or air fryer.
- Fresh herbs (optional) – Parsley, thyme, or chives add a pop of freshness.
Substitution and Additions
- Only have salted butter? Use it and reduce added salt.
- Add lemon zest or juice for brightness.
- Stir in Parmesan, chili flakes, smoked paprika, or even Chili Garlic Oil.
- Dairy-free? Use your favorite vegan butter.
How To Make Roasted Garlic Butter In The AirFryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Peel just the outer papery layers off your garlic bulb, keeping the cloves intact. Slice about ¼ inch off the top to expose the cloves inside.
Drizzle the bulb with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
I roasted the garlic in a cute mini cocotte—it's the perfect little vessel that traps moisture and delivers that deep, caramelized flavor. Just pop the seasoned garlic bulb inside, cover with the lid, and you're good to go!
Place the covered mini cocotte in the air fryer and roast for 30 minutes, until the cloves are golden and soft. Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins into a small bowl.
In a mixing bowl, mash the softened roasted garlic with your butter. Add a little salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if using. Stir until well combined.
Spoon the mixture onto parchment paper and roll it into a log, or just store it in a jar or airtight container.
You can also leave it right in the mini cocotte you roasted it in—just cover and chill until firm. It makes a cute little serving dish too!
Don’t Have a Mini Cocotte? Try This Easy Alternative
No mini cocotte? No problem. You can still roast garlic perfectly using just aluminum foil or parchment paper. Here’s how:
- Prep the garlic just like in the main recipe—peel the outer layers, slice off the top, and drizzle with olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper for flavor.
- Wrap it tightly in a square of aluminum foil or a parchment paper pouch (fold the edges over to seal). Either option helps trap steam and caramelize the garlic beautifully.
- Air fry at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, just like with the cocotte. You’ll get that same golden, buttery-soft roasted garlic every time.
Using foil or parchment makes cleanup a breeze and is perfect when you’re making multiple bulbs at once. Just line the air fryer basket with a sheet of foil for easy drips, and you’re good to go!
What To Serve With This
- Crusty Bread – Spread it on warm toast, baguettes, or dinner rolls.
- Grilled Steak – A pat of garlic butter takes any steak to the next level.
- Seafood – Perfect over shrimp, lobster, or seared scallops.
- Corn on the Cob – Slather it on hot corn for a buttery, garlicky finish.
- Roasted Vegetables – Toss with carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.
- Pasta – Stir into freshly cooked noodles for an instant garlic butter sauce.
Storage
- Fridge: up to 1 week
- Freezer: 3 months (freeze in tablespoon portions or an ice cube tray)
Rose's Quick Tips
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Use fresh, quality garlic for the best flavor.
- Let the roasted garlic cool before blending it in.
- Add herbs at the end to keep them vibrant and fresh.
- For smooth butter, mix with a hand mixer or food processor.
- Freeze leftovers in small portions for easy future use.
- Adjust salt to taste after mixing everything together.
- Try it as a base for garlic bread like this tortilla garlic bread or compound butter sauces.
- Don’t throw out garlic skins—they add flavor to homemade broth!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Roasting garlic makes it sweet, mellow, and creamy—totally different from raw garlic.
Roasted garlic is easier to digest and still provides great health benefits like boosting immunity.
Nope, keep the cloves whole for roasting—they caramelize better and become soft and spreadable.
It may have been overcooked or roasted at too high a temperature. Lower heat and foil help prevent bitterness.
Parsley, thyme, chives, and even rosemary work beautifully in garlic butter.
Quick and Easy Recipes
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Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Butter
Equipment
- Mini Cocotte (use aluminum foil or parchment paper if not available)
Ingredients
- 3 Garlic bulbs
- ½ cup Butter unsalted, softened
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Peel just the outer papery layers off your garlic bulb, keeping the cloves intact. Slice about ¼ inch off the top to expose the cloves inside.3 Garlic bulbs
- Drizzle the bulb with olive oil, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and wrap it tightly in foil.2 tablespoons Olive oil, Salt and pepper
- Roast in the air fryer for 30 minutes, until the cloves are golden and soft. Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the garlic out of the skins into a small bowl.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the softened roasted garlic with your butter. Add a little salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if using. Stir until well combined.½ cup Butter, Fresh herbs
- Spoon the mixture onto parchment paper and roll it into a log, or just store it in a jar or airtight container. Chill until firm.
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Notes
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Use fresh, quality garlic for the best flavor.
- Let the roasted garlic cool before blending it in.
- Add herbs at the end to keep them vibrant and fresh.
- For smooth butter, mix with a hand mixer or food processor.
- Freeze leftovers in small portions for easy future use.
- Adjust salt to taste after mixing everything together.
- This makes a great edible gift wrapped in parchment.
- Try it as a base for garlic bread or compound butter sauces.
- Don’t throw out garlic skins—they add flavor to homemade broth!
