Crispy garlic is beautiful and delicious. The instructions for making crispy garlic seem simple, but this process definitely requires your full attention. If your pan gets too hot, or you look away at the wrong moment, your garlic chips will go from golden brown to bitter and burnt.
These savory, golden flakes are a great way to add texture and depth to vegetables, noodles, and rice dishes. Chef Roy Yamaguchi uses crispy garlic to add a special touch to his recipe for Soy-Ginger Marinated Shrimp. Follow our tips below to make perfect crispy garlic every time.
Tips for making crispy garlic
Set yourself up for success
Before you turn on the stove, assemble all of your cooking tools. Have a spatula or fork nearby, and have a towel-lined plate ready next to your frying pan. This way you’ll be ready to spring into action as soon as your garlic starts to brown.
Use a nonstick pan
Thin slices of garlic have a lot of surface area. This makes them susceptible to sticking. Using a nonstick pan and agitating your garlic with a wooden spoon will help prevent your garlic from getting stuck.
Control the heat
Keep the heat on medium-low. High temperatures will increase the risk of burning your delicate garlic.
Don’t walk away
Seriously! Don’t go turn on the TV, don’t chop a different ingredient, don’t even fill up a cup with water. Once the browning starts, things will happen very quickly.
Err on the side of light
If you wait until the garlic is perfectly browned, the last pieces will be burnt by the time you get them out of the pan. Look for a light brown ring around the exterior, then you can start removing slices from the pan.
Add salt after cooking
Resist the urge to season your garlic slices before you add them to the pan. Adding salt will draw moisture out of the garlic and prevent it from crisping. Instead, add a dash of salt once the slices are done browning.
How to make crispy garlic
In a nonstick pan, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 thinly sliced cloves of garlic. Heat on medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 6 minutes, or until the garlic is lightly browned and crispy. Turn off the heat. Leaving the garlic oil in the pan, using a slotted spoon or fork, immediately transfer the garlic to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
What to do with crispy garlic
Crispy garlic can be sprinkled on top of vegetable dishes or grilled fish. It’s also a tasty way to add crunchy texture to salads or rice dishes. Once you’ve mastered this technique, you can use the same principals to make crispy shallots.