Homemade Spices Archives - The Slow Roasted Italian

How to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer (Easy Recipe)

Donna Elick — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 22:05:00 +0000

Roast Garlic in Air Fryer for a buttery, garlicky addition to all of your favorite dishes! Pizza, pasta, soups, and sauces — all could benefit from a little extra flavor. You can even use air fryer roasted garlic as a spread on sandwiches or in mashed potatoes! Cooking fresh garlic in your air fryer basket is a breeze!

I love this simple garlic recipe! It’s one of my favorite ways to cook individual garlic cloves to add to recipes or for later use.

The flavor of the roasted cloves adds so much depth, making it perfect for pasta sauces, pizza toppings, garlic toast, and more.

With a quick roasting time, the entire bulb has an amazing flavor that is seriously next level.

Now is the time to make this easy air fryer recipe to bring out the flavor of these roasted garlic cloves. Once you make air fryer garlic, you won’t forget about that garlic flavor!

You’ll soon see why this is one of my favorite recipes – and why I was hooked after the first time I made it!

While there can be a lot of different ways to cook garlic, air-fried garlic is a must to try!

Roast Garlic in Air Fryer

It’s no surprise that I love cooking with garlic — this is The Slow Roasted Italian, after all!

But it can be a pain to heat up the whole oven just for a small bulb or two, which got me thinking… Can you roast garlic in an air fryer?

I’m happy to report that it’s not only easy to make roasted garlic in the air fryer, but it may be my new favorite method!

Add it to the list of air fryer hacks like roasting pumpkin seeds, crisping strips of bacon, or making perfect, easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Whole Head of Garlic – Look for fresh, plump bulbs that are firm without any sprouts or soft spots.
Those that are larger are more likely to have evenly sized, substantial cloves inside.
Olive Oil – This helps to tenderize and brown the cloves, plus it adds a dimension of flavor. Other great alternatives include avocado oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil.
Maple Syrup – Hear me out! This really boosts the caramelization, and the sweetness balances that pungent savory flavor of the cloves.

Feel free to swap this with another sweetener like honey, agave nectar, or brown sugar, or leave it out entirely. Keep in mind that each sweetener will taste a little different.
Salt and Pepper – Kosher salt enhances the natural flavors without tasting too salty. Keep the pepper to a minimum (just a pinch) or leave it off if you prefer.

Pro Tips for Roasted Garlic in Air Fryer

Don’t overcrowd the basket.

Be sure to leave ample space between each head of garlic so the hot air can properly circulate.

If you try to cram too many in there, you’ll get uneven results and it will take much longer overall to roast garlic in the air fryer.

Expose all of the cloves — even the tiny ones!

There may be a few that are tucked more on the underside of the bulb, and you’ll want those to roast as well.

Don’t cut all the way across to reach these or you’ll lose too much of the larger cloves.

Instead, trim into the side of the bulb with a paring knife to remove the tops of the smaller ones.

Try out different flavor variations.

Grate some lemon or orange zest over the cloves before roasting to add some brightness. A little goes a long way!

You can also toss air fryer roasted garlic with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to amp up the freshness.

And for a tangy and sweet variation, swap the maple syrup with balsamic vinegar!

Storing and Freezing Roasted Garlic

If you plan to use your roasted garlic within a week, it’s safe to keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

For longer storage, freezing is your friend! Mash the cloves after you roast garlic in the air fryer, while they are still soft.

Place them in an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.

This way, you can use just what you need in small portions! Roasted garlic will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
Sharp Knife – In order to roast garlic in an air fryer, you’ll need to cleanly slice off the tops of the bulbs to expose the cloves inside.
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil – This is thicker and sturdier than regular foil, meaning it won’t tear as easily.

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic FAQ

Can you roast garlic in an air fryer?

Yes! You can roast whole heads of garlic or individual cloves — whichever you prefer.

It’s an easy way to enjoy that incredible flavor without heating up your whole house with the oven. And, roasted garlic in the air fryer is ready in about half the time as the oven!

Does roasting garlic make it less strong?

In a sense. When you roast garlic in an air fryer, it transforms that sharp, pungent flavor into something more buttery and sweet.

The overall intensity is also milder, but it still packs a fantastic flavor punch!

Can I make this recipe in the oven instead?

Sure! Instead of leaving the garlic heads whole, remove and peel the individual cloves. Toss them with the olive oil and maple syrup mixture, then spread them into a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Roast for 40 to 45 minutes at 375°F, or until the cloves are tender and golden brown.

How do you use air fryer roasted garlic?

The real question is what can you not add this to? Mix them right into mashed potatoes with the butter and your other fixings. Because of the creamy texture, it will blend in seamlessly while adding more flavor than garlic powder ever could!

You can also toss softened cloves into a food processor with chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, and salt for a creamy, flavorful hummus. Or mash the cloves and whisk them with olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey for a simple salad vinaigrette (also tasty on veggies).

To use whole cloves, reduce the cooking time so they are still slightly firm. Then, toss them into pasta dishes or use in my no-knead skillet bread recipe.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

Lemon Chicken Bites Recipe (Air Fryer)

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Air Fryer Donut Recipe

How to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer (Easy Recipe)

Roast Garlic in Air Fryer for a buttery, garlicky addition to all of your dishes! Pizza, pasta, soups, and sauces benefit from extra flavor.

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Method Air Fryer

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings cookies

Calories 71cal

Author Donna Elick

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

4 large heads of garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
pinch black pepper

Instructions

Slice off the tops of the garlic cloves, leaving their shells on.
Place each clove in an aluminum foil sheet large enough to create a little garlic basket.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good whisk.
Drizzle this magical mixture over the garlic cloves.
Wrap up the garlic cloves in aluminum foil, making sure they’re evenly spaced in the air fryer basket to let that hot air work its magic.
Pop them into the air fryer at 380° and roast the garlic for approximately 25 minutes.
Once those golden, fragrant garlic cloves emerge from the air fryer, let them cool for a moment.
Unwrap them from their foil blankets and give them a gentle squeeze to release the creamy, roasted goodness from their shells.

Notes

Always use fresh, plump garlic for the best flavor. Look for bulbs that are firm and free of sprouts or soft spots.

Make sure to space out the garlic heads in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.

Nutrition

Originally published November 2023, updated and republished August 2025

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The post How to Roast Garlic in the Air Fryer (Easy Recipe) appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Sweet BBQ Rub Recipe (Beef, Pork, or Chicken)

Donna Elick — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:05:00 +0000

This sweet BBQ rub adds so much flavor to ribs that you won’t need any sauce! Make a big batch to have on hand for all of your summer cooking. This sweet dry rub recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and proves that making your own rubs a breeze. You’ll be the backward BBQ hero with this sweet BBQ seasoning!

A mouthwatering blend of savory, smoky, and spicy flavors will add plenty of interest to any of your grilled or smoked dishes. It’s particularly delicious on a tender, juicy rack of ribs.

Love this sweet rib rub recipe? With a few adjustments to the spices and measurements, you can use it on smoked chuck roast, whole chicken, and even turkey legs!

We also use it on our smoked cream cheese!

This sweet rub is a great way to add a burst of flavor to various food items. Pork recipes, chicken wings, succulent ribs – you name it.

Your taste buds will delight in the way that the natural flavors and flavor profile bring out the natural flavor of your favorite foods.

The light brown sugar and the smoky flavor of the paprika create a great recipe that is perfect for adding a little kick.

I’d say that this is good enough to use in a BBQ competition, but I might be partial to this recipe!

It’s time to take your grilling and BBQing to the next level and give this new recipe a try. It has the best flavor, and pairs well with all kinds of recipes.

I really like using it on pork ribs and we are big fans of adding it to pork butt and pork chops. It bring a championship flavor to any basic recipe!

Sweet BBQ Rub – Ingredient Notes

Brown sugar – This adds a caramelized flavor and doesn’t burn as easily as regular granulated sugar. Opt for light versus dark so the molasses flavor isn’t too overpowering.
New Mexico Chili Powder – Made from dried chiles, this has a medium heat level with earthy and fruity undertones.
Smoked paprika – This is noticeably different than a regular jar of paprika, both in aroma and taste.

Definitely splurge on a bottle if you don’t already have it in your pantry.

If you want to try other flavors, you can try using different flavors, but I will say that the recipe card below, with all the spices and seasonings listed, gives the best results.

You can always add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and anything else that you’re craving.

How To Use It

Pair this sweet rib rub recipe with a rack of pork or beef, o whatever you prefer. Prepare the meat as needed (find helpful tips here), then pat it dry with a paper towel on both sides.

Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over one side, pressing and rubbing it into the meat with your fingers so it adheres to the surface.

Then, repeat on the other side with the remaining mixture.

You can throw the meat right on the grill or smoker if you’d like, but I recommend letting it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to really let the flavor soak in.

2 to 4 hours should be plenty, but some people like to let it marinate for up to 48 hours.

Just be sure to wrap the ribs in plastic wrap or foil so they don’t absorb any flavors or odors from nearby food.

FAQ – Common Recipe Questions

Should I salt the meat separately?

There’s plenty of salt in the mixture already, so it should be fine as is.

If you’re concerned about the sodium content in general, feel free to reduce the amount of salt in the sweet BBQ rub or replace it with a low-sodium substitute.

How long does rib rub last in the pantry?

When kept in an airtight container, it should stay fresh for up to 6 months. It’s perfectly safe to use after that point, but the flavor quality will start to diminish over time.

To get the most life out of your mixture, store it somewhere cool and dark. Exposure to light and heat will cause the spices to break down and dry out.

What else can I use sweet BBQ rub for?

There aren’t too many unique uses for this blend, but you could certainly use it to season grilled veggies, burgers, or steak if you’d like.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Delicious Smoker Recipes

Smoked Meatballs With Bacon (Pellet Smoker Recipe)

Best Smoked Pork Chops Recipe (Pellet Smoker)

Smoked Roast Beef (Easy Beef Sirloin Tip Roast Recipe)

How to Make Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe + Video

Sweet BBQ Rub Recipe (Beef, Pork, or Chicken)

This sweet BBQ rub adds so much flavor to ribs that you won’t need any sauce! Make a big batch to have on hand!

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Method Mixed

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings cups (enough for about 12 pounds of ribs)

Calories 495cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup smoked paprika
3 tablespoons New Mexico Chile powder
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano crushed
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

Add all the rub ingredients to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Pour into an airtight 32-ounce mason jar. Seal and store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Notes

If desired, you can eliminate the salt from this dry rub recipe, then just salt your meat to taste after cooking.

Nutrition

Originally published May 2021, updated and republished April 2025

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The post Sweet BBQ Rub Recipe (Beef, Pork, or Chicken) appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Best Ever Homemade Mexican Seasoning Blend Recipe

Donna Elick — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

This Mexican Seasoning blend is a perfectly balanced mixture of aromatic ground chiles and authentic Mexican spices. The seasoning is mildly spicy, with warm smokey notes. Use this Mexican spice mix to add flavor to casseroles, skillet meals, chili, enchiladas, or any other Mexican dishes!

Homemade spice blends are just the best!! Not only are they cheaper than the pre-made, store-bought stuff, but they’re also way fresher and tastier.

I think you’ll flip for this incredible blend of Mexican spices!! It’s better than anything that you’ll buy at the grocery store, and making your own authentic flavor is perfect for Mexican recipes, Taco night, or when you need to add great flavor to some of your favorite dishes.

I always make a big batch of this homemade blend because it’s such a yummy Mexican seasoning mix.

It has a little big of a smoky flavor, and tastes so good when added to ground meat, or even sprinkled on fish tacos! You can also vary the spice levels for more authentic Mexican flavors.

Mexican Seasoning

This Mexican spice mix gives a smoky and savory flavor, without being salty or too spicy — it’s just perfect!

Instead of overwhelming your meals, you’ll just enhance them! And that’s just the way a great spice blend should work.

If you like making your own spice blends, you will want to try out my Tex-Mex and homemade taco seasoning recipes next!

Those recipes use a few different Mexican spices than this Mexican seasoning recipe, for a completely different but equally tantalizing, tongue-tingling flavor!!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chili Powder and Chipotle Chile Powder – I want to differentiate between these two spices.

Regular chili powder is a blend of seasonings, whereas chipotle chile powder is made entirely of dried, smoked, and ground chipotle chile peppers.
Paprika – You can use either Hungarian sweet or regular smoked paprika in this recipe.

The Hungarian sweet isn’t as hot, and isn’t as traditional as smoked paprika. But use whichever you like best!
Cumin – I just love adding this warm, earthy spice to my seasoning blends! It goes well with basically everything.

If you don’t have it around, you could try grinding some coriander instead — the two are very similar!
Oregano – Mexican oregano is, of course, preferred. The flavor is close to marjoram and is your best substitute!
Onion and Garlic Powder – These two are a can’t-miss in any Mexican spice blend and homemade fajita seasoning!

Tips for the Best Homemade Mexican Spice Blend

Grind your own spices.

Nothing matches the taste of freshly ground ingredients.

A mortar and pestle is a great investment, and you’ll use it all the time! Otherwise, a coffee bean grinder works well.

Control the heat.

One of the best things about making homemade seasoning blends is that you can completely control the spice level.

For example, chipotle powder is spicier than regular chili powder — add some extra if you want to. You can even add cayenne for more heat!

Save the shaker.

The next time you use the last of a store-bought spice shaker, save it to store a homemade spice blend!

Just rinse it out well, and be sure it’s completely dry before storing anything in it.

Make it in bulk!

You can easily double or triple this Mexican seasoning blend. It keeps for a very long time. If you make a lot of Mexican cuisine, it’s worth making this blend in bulk!

Mexican Seasoning Recipe FAQ

Is Mexican seasoning the same as taco seasoning?

Both are very similar in flavor and can often be used interchangeably.

Often, a Mexican seasoning recipe will include ancho and chipotle chili powder for more kick. This makes taco seasoning a bit milder.

The same goes for fajita seasoning — you’ll always have your main Mexican spice mix (paprika, cumin, garlic, chili powder) with a few variations from recipe to recipe.

How much Mexican spice blend should you use?

Most dishes only need 1 to 2 tablespoons of this seasoning, depending on how many servings it makes.

The general rule for tacos or fajitas is 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat.

Since this is a bit spicier, start with a lower amount and increase by 1/2 a tablespoon at a time until it tastes perfect!

Other Uses for Mexican Spice Mix

There are so many ways to enjoy this homemade Mexican seasoning!

I like to add it to grilled meats and ground hamburger when making fajitas or tacos. It also makes a great dry rub or the base of a wet marinade.

I often add it to other recipes to kick up the flavor. For example, in my copycat recipes for the Taco Bell Burrito Supreme, Chicken Quesadilla, and Carnitas.

But you can also sprinkle this combo on stir-fried or roasted vegetables! Fried eggs and omelets would be 10x tastier with just a dash of Mexican seasoning as well.

Storing Your Mexican Spices

You want a good, airtight container with a wide opening so that you can easily measure out scoops.

A glass jar does the trick for me! As I mentioned earlier, I’ll also keep some in a leftover spice shaker to store in my cabinet.

Regardless of the container, keep it somewhere cool and dry. Stored properly, this blend will last you a year!

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Mexican Recipes

Mexican Salad with Street Corn

Mexican Chalupa

Mexican Red Rice

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

Best Ever Homemade Mexican Seasoning Blend Recipe

My homemade Mexican Seasoning blend is not too spicy and can be used to flavor meat, veggies, your favorite Mexican recipes, and more!

Course Pantry Staple

Cuisine Mexican

Method Mixed

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings tablespoons

Calories 25cal

Author Donna Elick

Equipment

Ingredients

1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup paprika see Notes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a small bowl; whisk to combine.
Pour into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry location for up to 6 months.

Notes

Any flavor of paprika may be used, but I prefer a sweet Hungarian or a smoked variety.

Nutrition

Originally Published July 2011, updated and republished October 2024

The post Best Ever Homemade Mexican Seasoning Blend Recipe appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Donna Elick — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Homemade Taco Seasoning will give your tacos great flavor that you can’t get from a packet! So easy to make. We also have a homemade Lipton onion soup mix that is so simple to make.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Taco seasoning recipe from Wholefully.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Excellent homemade taco seasoning! It will give your tacos great flavor that you can't get from a packet! So easy to make.

Course Pantry Staple

Cuisine Tex Mex

Method No Bake

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings (3 tablespoons)

Calories 53cal

Author Donna Elick

Equipment

small mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 tablespoon New Mexico chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Stir all ingredients together. This recipe doubles and triples perfectly. Consider making a quadruple batch and using 1 tablespoon at a time to season dishes or individual portions.

Nutrition

Originally published September 2011.

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