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A bowl of creamy whipped feta dip swirled with herbs, drizzled with olive oil, and served with toasted baguette slices.

Roasted Garlic Dip: An Irresistibly Creamy Appetizer

This roasted garlic dip is incredibly creamy, rich, and packed with the mellow, sweet flavor of slow-roasted garlic. It's an easy yet elegant appetizer perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dip, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Roasted Garlic
  • 2 heads garlic unpeeled
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Creamy Dip
  • 8 oz cream cheese full-fat, softened at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream full-fat
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives finely minced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
  • pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Small baking dish or aluminum foil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Food processor or immersion blender
  • Spatula

Method
 

Roast the Garlic
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the garlic: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice off the top 1/4 inch from the head of each garlic, exposing the tops of the cloves. Place the garlic heads in a small air-fryer-safe dish or wrap them loosely in aluminum foil to create a packet. Drizzle the olive oil over the exposed garlic, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  3. Roast in the air fryer: Place the garlic in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 25-35 minutes, or until the cloves are very soft, golden brown, and easily squeezed out of their skins. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the garlic heads and your air fryer model. Check halfway through to ensure even cooking.
  4. Cool and extract: Carefully remove the roasted garlic from the air fryer and let it cool for 10-15 minutes, or until it's cool enough to handle. Once cooled, squeeze the soft, caramelized garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl. Discard the skins.
Prepare the Creamy Dip
  1. Combine ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Use a spatula or electric mixer to combine until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add roasted garlic: Add the extracted roasted garlic cloves to the cream cheese mixture. If the garlic cloves are not mashed, use a fork to mash them gently before adding to the mixture.
  3. Flavor the dip: Add the fresh lemon juice, minced chives, minced parsley, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to the bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dip is smooth. For an extra smooth dip, transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend until silky.
  4. Chill: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dip to firm up slightly. This also improves the texture.
  5. Serve: Garnish with extra fresh chives or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Serve chilled with your favorite crackers, toasted baguette slices, pita bread, or a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrots, bell peppers, and celery sticks.

Notes

For oven roasting: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Follow the same steps for preparing the garlic. Roast in the oven for 30-45 minutes, or until very soft.
Storage: Store leftover Roasted Garlic Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Make ahead: This dip can be made a day in advance. The flavors will deepen overnight, making it even more delicious!