Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli is super simple to make! You can put frozen broccoli in the air fryer for a simple and fast side dish in minutes.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Directions
These directions for making Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli are super simple. Add frozen broccoli to the air fryer coated in a bit of oil and simple seasonings to create the perfect side dish.
Air Fryer broccoli is crisp, slightly browned, and super yummy. This is the best and only way I make frozen broccoli now, and I think you’ll agree.
Other ways to prepare frozen broccoli include microwaving it, steaming it, or boiling it. I know that you’ve had frozen broccoli one of these ways before, and it comes out soft and mushy. Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli is browned and crispy!
A healthy plate of air fryer roasted broccoli is the best side dish, and ready in no time!
You can make fresh broccoli in the air fryer as well. To learn how to cook all sorts of frozen foods in the air fryer be sure to check out our recipe archives!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Frozen Broccoli Florets: I got mine from my local grocery store. The brand of frozen broccoli you choose is not important, but I do suggest that you look for broccoli florets rather than frozen chopped broccoli. You’ll get better quality pieces that way. This method will work for an entire large 1 pound bag of broccoli, or less.
Olive Oil: To help the frozen broccoli get crispy in the air fryer, a small amount of oil does the trick.
Salt and Pepper: Simple, easy seaonings make this frozen broccoli delicious! Adjust the seasonings to your own preferences, or leave them out if you like.
If you have any questions about Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
How to Make Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer
- Add frozen broccoli, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Toss the broccoli to evenly distribute the oil and seasoning.
- Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in an even layer. It’s ok if there is some overlap and layering, as we will be shaking the air fryer later.
- Air Fry as directed in the recipe card below for 12 minutes, shaking the basket half way through.
- Serve immediately.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, please see the recipe below.
Frozen Broccoli Air Fryer Tips
Don’t Thaw the Broccoli: If you thaw the frozen broccoli before cooking it in the air fryer it will turn out mushy. Throw it in still frozen.
Add Seasonings: If there are certain spices or seasonings you enjoy on broccoli, add them in! This recipe uses just salt and pepper to season air fryer frozen broccoli. You can also omit the seasonings if you want.
Don’t Skip the Oil: While you can cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer without oil, it won’t be as good. A small amount of oil helps to replicate roasting, and will give you delicious browned bits.
Look for Florets: You can use this method to cook frozen broccoli pieces in the air fryer, but frozen broccoli florets are generally tastier with more of the tops of the broccoli rather than the stems.
Watch Your Food: As always, keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking. If you choose to cook less than the whole bag of broccoli, you may need a bit less time.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Broccoli as a side dish goes well with just about anything!
Serve frozen air fryer broccoli with seafood dishes like Air Fryer Scallops or Air Fryer Shrimp.
For a kid friendly dinner, make Air Fryer Tofu cubes or Air Fryer Grilled Cheese.
Go classic with a homestyle Air Fryer Meatloaf dinner with air fryer frozen broccoli and mashed potatoes.
If you’re a big broccoli fan, you might like this recipe for Air Fryer Bacon Broccoli Quiche.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Variations
You can use any seasonings you like on your frozen broccoli.
Try adding garlic powder and Italian seasoning. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese can finish off your Italian air fryer broccoli side.
Make a homemade cheese sauce to serve over the broccoli after it’s done cooking in the air fryer. Yum!
Mix it up by cooking both frozen broccoli and frozen cauliflower together. Other frozen vegetables can be mixed in too like green beans or carrots.
How Long Does Frozen Broccoli Last in the Air Fryer?
You should eat the frozen broccoli from the air fryer right away. Once cooked, it’s best eaten immediately. Leftovers can be reheated, but they won’t be quite as good.
Should I Thaw Frozen Vegetables Before Air Frying?
No, you should not thaw frozen vegetables before air frying. Thawing them will make them too mushy. The heat from the air fryer will cook your broccoli directly from the freezer.
Do I Have To Use Oil To Cook Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer?
I suggest using oil to get crispy and delicious air fryer frozen broccoli. If you’re avoiding oil, leave it out or use a sprayer to use less.
Do I preheat the air fryer when making frozen broccoli?
I don’t find that it’s necessary to preheat the air fryer to cook frozen broccoli. This may vary by air fryer model. Preheating isn’t needed because the air fryer gets up to temperature much more quickly than a traditional oven.
Can I cook frozen broccoli in a Ninja Air Fryer?
Yes, this method will work in any type of air fryer. If you’re a Ninja Foodi owner, be sure to check out all of our Ninja Foodi Air Fryer recipes.
How do I make extra crispy air fryer frozen broccoli?
You an see in my images how much browning I got when I but a whole 16-oz. bag of broccoli in my Cosori air fryer. To get broccoli that is really extra brown and crispy, I suggest putting less of it in the basket at one time. You’ll get more heat on each bit of the florets and more browning.
How many servings are in 16 ounces of frozen broccoli?
A lb. bag of broccoli should be 5-6 one-cup servings. A smaller, 12 ounce bag of frozen broccoli is 4 servings.
More Delicious Air Fryer Side Dishes
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Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen Broccoli Florets
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ÂĽ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add broccoli, olive oil, salt and pepper to a bowl. Toss to evenly distribute the oil and seasoning.
- Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Air fry at 380F/193C for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not let the broccoli thaw before cooking. Cook it straight from frozen.
- If you do not want spices on the broccoli, you can omit them from the recipe. Just toss the broccoli with olive oil and proceed with cooking.
- You can change up the spices or add additional spices as you wish.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the “Air Fry” function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
I’m so happy to have stumbled across your site! This broccoli is amazing (I sprinkled some parmesan over mine when I turned the air fryer off and let it sit in the closed basket for a minute or so). I’ll definitely be making it again – THANK YOU!!!
That is a great idea to add in the parmesan! We love that too! If you have everything bagel seasoning that works great too!