Air Fryer Broccoli

Whip up a batch of 10-minute crispy Air Fryer Broccoli for a quick, delicious side dish. Fresh broccoli florets are seasoned and air fried to perfection, resulting in a flavorful and nutritious addition to any meal.

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Air Fryer Broccoli is the ultimate way to elevate your veggie game. With its crispy edges and tender centers, this dish is a mouthwatering treat that even picky eaters can’t resist.

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This crispy, caramelized, air-fried broccoli is a far cry from the mushy, boiled broccoli you might be used to cooking. No need to eat bland veggies with this easy air fryer broccoli recipe! It’s a side dish that’s ready in minutes and comes out perfectly every time. 

Air Fryer Broccoli Ingredients

Fresh broccoli florets and a few seasonings are all you need to make this air-fried broccoli recipe. It’s a healthy side dish that’s also delicious, and that’s our favorite kind! The broccoli becomes crispy in the air fryer, and garlic salt and simple seasonings give the florets a tasty kick of flavor.

Substitutions and Additions

Since this recipe uses simple ingredients, you likely won’t need to make any substitutions. But here are some ways you can change up this recipe.

Broccoli: This recipe is best when you use fresh broccoli, not frozen. We don’t suggest substituting frozen veggies in this recipe.

Cauliflower: You can make this recipe the exact same way using cauliflower. Just cut the pieces small. You can also make this recipe using half broccoli and half cauliflower if you’d like.

Olive Oil: You can use any oil you like, but we suggest an oil made that is idea for cooking in high heat, like avocado oil, if you don’t have olive oil.

Seasonings: We used a simple seasoning blend of garlic salt and black pepper. But you can use any seasonings you like. Try Italian seasoning or use a mixture of garlic powder and seasoning salt. If you’d like to add a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.

Garnishes: Feta cheese or grated asiago make nice substitutes for the parmesan.

How To Make This Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe

This crispy air fryer broccoli is so simple and delicious, you’ll never get out a pot and water again. The air fryer is King for making quick side dish recipes, and definitely makes the best crispy broccoli. The high heat of the air fryer lets you roast broccoli without heating up your kitchen by using the oven, and it only takes a couple of minutes.

PRO TIP: A COSORI brand 6.8 quart sized Air Fryer was used to test and develop this recipe. You may need to adjust this recipe slightly for your air fryer.

STEP ONE: Add the fresh broccoli florets to a large bowl. Then, add a drizzle of olive oil over the broccoli, along with the garlic salt and black pepper. Gently toss the broccoli with the oil and seasoning until it’s fully coated. Be careful not to break the broccoli florets as you stir.

PRO TIP: When preparing your broccoli, be mindful of the size of the florets you cut. They will shrink in size a little when air-fried. You don’t want to cut them too small, but keep in mind that if they are on the larger side, they will take a couple of extra minutes to cook.

STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer, then add the water to the bottom of the preheated air fryer. This helps to provide steam in the air fryer so the texture is crisp-tender broccoli.

PRO TIP: Not all air fryers can hold water. Make sure this is a feature your air fryer has before you add water! If your air fryer has wire racks and baking trays instead of a basket, you may be able to add a shallow pan of water to the lowest rack to provide steam in your air fryer.

STEP THREE: Add the seasoned broccoli florets to the air fryer. Spread them out so they are in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes, then toss the broccoli and spread it back out again. Continue to air fry for another 3-5 minutes or until cooked through. It should be lightly browned with crisp edges. 

PRO TIP: The total amount of time needed will vary depending on the size of your florets. After about 8 minutes, pierce your broccoli with a small fork. Continue to check every minute until the broccoli can be pierced with a fork, but is tender-crisp, not mushy.

STEP FOUR: Transfer the air-fried broccoli to a serving bowl. Garnish as desired with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese. Give the broccoli a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to add a bright flavor.

Troubleshooting

Help! My broccoli is too soft or mushy!

This issue often occurs if you overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure to arrange the broccoli in a single layer to allow proper air circulation. If needed, cook in batches.

My broccoli isn’t crispy enough. What can I do?

To achieve maximum crispiness, ensure that the broccoli is well-coated with olive oil. You can also try increasing the cooking time slightly, but keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking.

The broccoli is too dry. How can I prevent it from drying out?

One way to avoid this is to make sure the broccoli is well coated in oil, and to add water to the air fryer before cooking. If you find your broccoli is drying out during cooking, you can lightly spritz it with water using a spray bottle. This will help maintain moisture while still achieving crispiness.

My broccoli is sticking to the air fryer basket.

To prevent sticking, you can lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Alternatively, use a piece of parchment paper to line the basket before adding the broccoli.

How To Serve Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli

This air fryer side dish cooks up in the fraction of the time it takes to roast veggies in the oven. So, that gives you plenty of time to make your favorite main dish! Broccoli goes with just about anything, but here are some ideas for how you can serve this recipe at breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Breakfast: This crispy broccoli is delicious when cooked into an omelette or baked into a quiche along with cheddar cheese. You can make the broccoli fresh or use up your leftovers.

Lunch: Whip up this recipe at lunch time and dip the broccoli in your favorite dressing (we love ranch!). You can also top a salad with broccoli for a bit of an extra crunch and some added health benefits. 

Make a simple homemade pizza topped with pizza sauce, thinly sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and your broccoli florets for a simple but filling lunch.

Dinner: Include this broccoli in a veggie stir fry for plenty of extra texture and taste. You can also add it to your broccoli and cheddar soup. It’s a wonderful addition to any recipe that calls for cooked broccoli florets, like broccoli and cheddar potato skins or beef and broccoli. 

​Once you know how to air fry broccoli, you can make it regularly and serve with any of your favorite chicken, pork, or beef dishes.

MORE BROCCOLI RECIPES

Side Dishes

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Casserole Ideas

Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

When To Serve Roasted Broccoli In the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Broccoli is versatile and fits various occasions:

• Weeknight Dinner: No more boring steamed broccoli. It’s deliciously crispy air fried broccoli at dinner time!
• Holiday Feast: Add this as a vibrant veggie dish to your holiday table.
• Quick Lunch: Pair it with your favorite soup or sandwich for a balanced lunch.

Storage

This air fryer broccoli is best served immediately, but if you have leftovers, you can repurpose them in other meals, or reheat them in the air fryer another day.

Make Ahead: While we recommend you cook this broccoli and eat it fresh, you can certainly prep the broccoli and seasonings in advance. Mix the broccoli with the oil and seasonings and store covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Eat as quickly as possible to maintain the broccoli’s texture and taste.

In the Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing air fryer broccoli as it will probably thaw a bit soggy. But if you choose to, place the broccoli in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow the broccoli to thaw in the fridge for a few hours before reheating.

How To Reheat: To reheat, the best method is to use the air fryer again. Preheat to 350°F then set the broccoli back in the basket. Air fry for 5-6 minutes or until hot through. You can also use the microwave, heating in 20-second increments until hot.

Why This Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Is The Best

This may be the best air fryer broccoli there is! Why? Here are the reasons why this broccoli recipe is our new favorite way to cook vegetables.

We love this crispy air fryer broccoli because:

• It’s Quick and Easy: There’s nothing fancy about this recipe, and it couldn’t be easier to make. No reason to fuss over roasted veggies, just add a few simple seasonings and air fry until you’ve reached crispy veggie perfection.
• Versatile and Healthy:​ This recipe makes a great side dish, addition to your favorite recipes, or even a light lunch. 
• Kid-Friendly: Even picky eaters are likely to enjoy this recipe. The crispy edges are caramelized, giving the broccoli a sweet flavor that helps kids eat up their veggies!

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Broccoli Salad
• Air Fryer Chips
• Air Fryer Cabbage
• Sheet Pan Chicken
• Air Fryer Pineapple
• Air Fryer Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Beef Jerky
• Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
• Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
• Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

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Air Fryer Broccoli

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Whip up a batch of 10-minute crispy Air Fryer Broccoli for a quick, delicious side dish. Fresh broccoli florets are seasoned and air fried to perfection, resulting in a flavorful and nutritious addition to any meal.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

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Ingredients

  

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• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, from 2 small or 1 large head of broccoli cut into bite sized (roughly 1½-2 inch) pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons water

Optional Garnish

• Fresh lemon wedges
• Shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• To a large mixing bowl, add the fresh broccoli florets, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper. Toss to evenly coat the broccoli florets in the oil and seasonings.
• Preheat the air fryer at 375*F for 3 minutes, then add the water to the bottom of the preheated air fryer. This helps to steam the broccoli and makes it more tender when cooked.
• Add the seasoned broccoli florets to the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, toss the broccoli so that it is evenly cooked, then continue to air fry for another 3-5 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned and crisp on the edges. The total amount of time needed will vary depending on the size of your florets.
• Transfer the air-fried broccoli to a serving bowl and garnish with an optional sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese and fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the broccoli if desired.

Notes

• A COSORI brand 6.8 quart sized Air Fryer was used to test and develop this recipe. You may need to adjust this recipe slightly for your air fryer.
• When preparing your broccoli, be mindful of the size of the florets you cut. They will shrink in size a little when air-fried. You don’t want to cut them too small, but keep in mind that if they are on the larger side then they will take a couple extra minutes to cook.
• Not all air fryers can hold water. Make sure this is a feature your air fryer has before you add water! If your air fryer has wire racks and baking trays instead of a basket, you may be able to add a shallow pan of water to the lowest rack to provide steam in your air fryer.
• The total amount of time needed will vary depending on the size of your florets. After about 8 minutes, pierce your broccoli with a small fork. Continue to check every minute until the broccoli can be pierced with a fork, but is tender-crisp, not mushy.

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

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