Can You Really Fry Garlic In The Microwave?

Microwaves became all the rage when they first hit the stores in the late '60s and '70s, relieving home cooks from hours of oven duty (via Wired). Today, however, the home appliance often gets a bad reputation (for some not-so-valid reasons, according to Vice), and we're not having it! If there are microwave hacks that save us hours in the kitchen, you better believe we're taking full advantage — especially when it involves one of our favorite alliums: garlic.

One thing most people would assume needs to stay on the stovetop and out of the microwave is anything fried, but lucky for fried food lovers, frying garlic can actually be done within minutes right in the microwave. Deep-frying is often seen as an all-day event, and with good reason (via SheKnows). Between the prep and clean up, the cooking method can often seem like more trouble than it's worth, but with just some sliced garlic, oil, a bowl, and (of course) your trusty microwave, your can have crispy fried garlic in under ten minutes.

According to Serious Eats, this microwave-friendly method for frying garlic is super easy. Once the garlic is chopped or sliced, just toss it in a microwave-safe bowl with a neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil. Then nuke the bowl for five minutes, stir, and cook for another minute or so, until the garlic pieces are perfectly golden and look ready to devour. Once the bowl has cooled down slightly, carefully strain the oil into another container. Then lay your fried garlic bits out on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil, sprinkle with a bit of salt, and your garnish is ready to be the star of your meal. Don't forget to hang onto the garlic-infused oil to use for other flavorful dishes — an added bonus!

Whether you're looking to add a little crunch to your fried rice (as suggested by Bon Appétit) or a snack to eat by the handful (no judgment), this quick trick will give you delicious fried garlic while eliminating most of the mess and saving you time.