Creamy 3 Ingredient Roasted Garlic Aioli (Print Version)

Whip up a luscious, homemade 3 Ingredient Roasted Garlic Aioli. This simple recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort for dipping or spreading.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ The Essentials

01 - 1 whole head of garlic
02 - 1 cup (240g) good quality full-fat mayonnaise
03 - 1-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

→ Roasting Needs

04 - 1-2 tsp olive oil

→ Flavor Enhancers

05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that garlic roasting. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a whole head of garlic, slice about a quarter-inch off the top to expose the cloves, then drizzle it with a little olive oil. Wrap it snugly in foil – I always make sure it's a tight little packet so all that garlicky goodness steams and softens perfectly. Pop it onto a baking sheet and into the oven for about 40-50 minutes. You're looking for super soft, golden-brown cloves. I've definitely under-roasted it before, and it just doesn't have that sweet, creamy texture, so don't rush this step!
02 - Once your garlic is beautifully roasted, pull it out of the oven and let it cool down a bit. Seriously, give it about 10-15 minutes, or you'll burn your fingers trying to squeeze out those cloves, trust me, I've made that mistake more times than I care to admit! Once it's cool enough to handle, just squeeze the bottom of the garlic head, and those wonderfully soft, caramelized cloves will pop right out. It's surprisingly satisfying, honestly, like magic.
03 - Now for the fun part! Take all those lovely roasted garlic cloves and put them into a small bowl. Grab a fork and start mashing them until you have a relatively smooth paste. You don't need it perfectly smooth, a few small lumps add character, I think! It should smell absolutely incredible at this point—sweet, savory, deeply aromatic. This is where the magic really starts to happen for your 3 Ingredient Roasted Garlic Aioli!
04 - Add your mashed roasted garlic paste directly into the bowl with your chosen mayonnaise. I usually start with about a cup of mayo for one head of garlic, but you can adjust this depending on how garlicky you want your aioli. Stir it all together really well, making sure that sweet garlic is evenly distributed throughout the creamy mayo. Don't be afraid to get in there with a spoon and really mix it up; I find a vigorous stir makes it extra smooth.
05 - Now, for that essential bright note! Squeeze in about a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. This isn't just for flavor; it also helps to lighten the texture and prevent the aioli from feeling too heavy. Stir it in thoroughly. Taste it here, and if you feel it needs more zing, add another half-teaspoon. I’ve definitely added too much once and had to add more mayo to balance it out, so go slow!
06 - Finally, it's time to season your 3 Ingredient Roasted Garlic Aioli. Add a pinch of salt and a grind of fresh black pepper, if you like. Stir, then taste again. This is your moment to make it truly perfect for your palate. Does it need a little more salt? A tiny bit more lemon? Maybe a touch more garlic if you're a garlic fiend like me? Adjust until it sings. The final result should be creamy, tangy, and deeply flavorful, with that unmistakable sweetness from the roasted garlic. So good!

# Notes:

01 - Don't rush the garlic roasting—that's where all the magic happens, honestly.
02 - Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week; it gets even better after a day!
03 - No fresh lemon? A tiny splash of apple cider vinegar works in a pinch for that brightness, I've done it.
04 - Serve this alongside crispy fries or slathered on a burger for an instant upgrade, trust me.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Baking sheet
02 - aluminum foil
03 - small bowl
04 - fork or spatula
05 - whisk (optional)

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 100
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 2g
Protein: 0g

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