Air Fryer Broccoli

Making broccoli in the air fryer is the best way! Air Fryer Broccoli is the perfect combination of crispy and tender, without getting mushy. You won’t believe how easy it is to make the perfect broccoli side dish.

recipe overview

Roasted broccoli takes way less time in the air fryer than in the oven. Ten minutes and a little oil, salt, and pepper is all it takes. Plus, it’ll have browned edges and the perfect roasted flavor.

Air Fryer Broccoli is the perfect dinnertime companion to to air fryer chicken breast or meatloaf. There aren’t many meals that broccoli doesn’t go with. Think of it as the universal healthy side dish.

Are you looking for instructions for making Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer? I’ve got you covered!

what you’ll need

All you need is fresh broccoli, a bit of olive oil, and salt and pepper. Cut the broccoli into florets. Keeping the pieces all about the same size will ensure that they cook at the same rate.

You can add other seasonings if you want to mix it up. Sometimes a bit of garlic powder is tasty, or Italian seasoning (I put that on everything!). You can put whatever type of seasonings on broccoli that you enjoy.

How to Cook Broccoli in the Air Fryer

1. Start with rinsed and cut broccoli that has been patted with paper towels to dry. Place it in a bowl pour a tablespoon of oil over the top. You want the broccoli to be coated, but not saturated with oil.
2. Season with salt and pepper. If you want to add a little extra flavor, you could add a little garlic powder or onion powder here too. Sprinkle your seasonings liberally over the top of your broccoli to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.
3. Use a spoon to gently toss the broccoli in the oil and spices, making sure that every piece of the broccoli is lightly coated.
4. Add the broccoli to the basket of your air fryer and cook to your desired texture. In no time at all you’ll have a healthy and savory side dish to add to your meal!

How long to cook it

• For broccoli that is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside: Cook for 10 minutes at 300 degrees F.
• For broccoli that is more firm: Reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• For a roasted finish: Add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. (This is my favorite way to make air fryer broccoli -the browned pieces are so, so good!

recipe tips and tricks

• Dry the Broccoli: It’s important that you wash and then DRY the broccoli before adding it to the air fryer. Any water left in the florets will turn the air fryer into a steamer, and that will prevent browning.
• Pro Tip: Halfway through the cooking time, pull out your air fryer basket and shake it a bit to turn the broccoli and allow it to cook evenly.
• Any type of oil will work: Olive oil is tasty and always next to my stove, but you can use vegetable oil, avocado oil, or your favorite light-flavored oil. Don’t leave the oil out. It is the key ingredient to making this broccoli delicious!
• Coat it well: A light coating of oil on every surface of each broccoli floret will ensure that it cooks up perfectly, with tender stalks and crispy crowns.
• Don’t Overfill the Basket: You can overlap the broccoli florets in the air fryer, but you should avoid layering it too much or packing the basket full. The more room you leave around each piece of broccoli, the crispier it will get.

ideas to mix it up

Anything that you would season roasted broccoli with will be delicious on air fryer broccoli too. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Make parmesan broccoli: Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese to the broccoli right after it comes out of the air fryer. Yum!

Spicy Air Fryer Broccoli: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the broccoli after it’s cooked.

Air Fryer Broccoli with Cheese: While the broccoli is still hot, add a handful (or more) of cheddar cheese.

Dress it: Lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or a drizzle of your favorite vinaigrette will make your air fryer extra special.

serving tips

I really think that a side of broccoli goes well with almost anything! Try some of these air fryer main dish recipes.

A classic dinner dinner of Air Fryer Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and broccoli is perfect for the weekend.

Or make a kid-friendly weeknight meal and serve Air Fryer Hamburgers and French Fries with a side of broccoli.

Want to try something different? Try Broccoli Quiche Cups. You can convert this recipe to an air fryer recipe using our calculator!

Storage and reheating

For best results, store your air fried broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats best in the air fryer, but you can use the microwave instead, or enjoy it cold on a salad or in a grain bowl.

is air frying broccoli healthy?

Yep! Air frying broccoli helps to retain more nutrients than would be retained if you were boiling or steaming broccoli.

When you boil veggies, up to 25% of the vitamins can be lost in the water!

Air frying your broccoli allows the broccoli to retain most of those vitamins, so you’ll know that you’re getting as much of that healthy green goodness as you possibly can get!

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