Air Fryer Broccoli is perfectly cooked broccoli, and crispy perfection in our air fryers in a fraction of the time of oven roasting. The best part is we are maintaining all the nutrients that make air fryer broccoli such a healthy choice. It’s time to give air fryer broccoli a chance. I just love roasted veggies in the air fryer broccoli is one of my favorites.
Air frying broccoli is a game-changer. Not only does the air fryer version of broccoli deliver on that much-loved crunch, but it also does so quickly and without the excess oil.
The magical part of the air fryer is its ability to create a crispy, oven roasted broccoli texture in a fraction of the time. What I love about air frying broccoli is the contrast of flavor of the roasted broccoli florets and the crispy edges. Air frying creates such a yummy texture.
Another big plus is that the air fryer not only saves time, but also retains the nutrients in your air fryer broccoli, making it a quick and easy nutritious side dish or snack.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Saves time and produces delicious broccoli with delicious flavor and crunch
- Retains nutrition of the broccoli florets because it is roasted broccoli and not boiled which removes the healthy nutrients.
- Quick and Easy and great for meal prep.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients Needed to Make Broccoli in the Air Fryer
- How to Cook Broccoli in Air Fryer
- How to Season Broccoli
- Cooking Tips for Air Fryer Broccoli
- What Temperature Do I Cook Air Fryer Broccoli?
- How Long to Cook Broccoli in the Air Fryer?
- Flavor Variations and Ideas
- Pairing Your Air Fried Broccoli With Meals
- More Stuff to Make
- Equipment Used and Kitchen Essentials
- Storing Air Fryer Broccoli
- Reheat Broccoli in Air Fryer
- Broccoli For Meal Prep
- FAQ
- Related
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients Needed to Make Broccoli in the Air Fryer
- Fresh Head of Broccoli
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Thyme
- Avocado Oil
- Fresh Lemon Juice
See recipe card for Full quantities.
Air fryer broccoli transcends a simple dish and makes it a platform for you to get creative. From choosing your broccoli to prepping your broccoli florets and seasoning them to your liking. The sky is the limit.
Whether you’re a fan of sharp, tangy flavors or prefer a milder, more subtle taste, you can make your air fryer broccoli exactly how you like it. As a recipe developer I create something as a foundation. I encourage people to explore their creativity and try different flavors and flavor combinations. Let make cooking fun again.
How to Cook Broccoli in Air Fryer
Once you’ve selected your broccoli, it’s now time to prepare your florets for air frying. Here’s how:
- Start by giving your broccoli a good rinse under cool water to remove any dirt.
- Gently scrub the florets and then dry them well with a paper towel or let them air dry completely.
- Wet broccoli won’t crisp up as well in the air fryer, so make sure it’s thoroughly dry before you start cooking it.
Step 1 – Cut the broccoli into small, bite-size pieces, about 1 ½ inches in size. Keep the size of the pieces fairly uniform in size. This ensures that the florets cook evenly and get crispy when air fried. Remember, another key to even cooking and crispy edges is to spread the broccoli out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This way there is even circulation for even cooking.
Step 2 – Flavoring the broccoli is the fun part for me. A classic seasoning mix of garlic powder, salt, and pepper is a simple and delicious way to bring out the natural flavors of the broccoli. In this recipe I add some thyme and crushed red pepper. Don’t forget the fresh lemon juice at the end.
Step 3 – Air frying broccoli florets should be done at 370 Degrees Fahrenheit. Spray broccoli with some avocado oil. I always cook broccoli florets for 8-10 minutes. I take out the air fryer basket halfway thought the cooking time and flip alll of the broccoli florets.
Step 4 – Squeeze fresh lemon juice on to broccoli florets. Don’t skip this step it is delicious and add a nice zing to the flavor of the fresh broccoli florets.
How to Season Broccoli
Don’t limit yourself to just these ingredients. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings and flavors. Do what I did by adding some thyme for an earthy flavor.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese for a savory, cheesy kick, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a zingy, citrus twist. The possibilities are endless, and the best part is, you can tailor the seasoning to your own taste.
Below I have put some different versions of what I like. I like to change it up from time to time. Some flavors pair better with different meals.
Here is some quick ideas on seasoning air fryer broccoli, but there is some more of my ideas in the post below too.
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic powder
- Chili flakes
- Smoked paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Balsamic glaze
Cooking Tips for Air Fryer Broccoli
Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure you get perfectly crispy broccoli every time. While some air fryer recipes recommend preheating your air fryer, it’s not necessary when cooking air fryer broccoli. Simply follow these tips:
- Make sure your broccoli is dry before placing it in the basket.
- Add a bit of oil if desired.
- For even cooking and crispy results, lay the broccoli in a single layer at the bottom of the basket.
- Flip broccoli halfway through the cooking time.
What Temperature Do I Cook Air Fryer Broccoli?
The recommended temperature for air frying broccoli is 370°F. However, if you prefer your broccoli even crispier, you can set the temperature to 390°F. Keep in mind that a higher temperature might result in broccoli that’s too crispy.
How Long to Cook Broccoli in the Air Fryer?
- 8 to 10 minutes should give you perfectly crispy broccoli.
- If you prefer your broccoli softer, you may want to reduce the cooking time slightly.
- If you like your broccoli extra crispy, you may want to increase the cooking time.
TIP: Keep your eye on the broccoli to get it to the perfect doneness that you enjoy.
Flavor Variations and Ideas
The ideas that I’ve included below, are some of the flavors that I enjoy. These are my favorite variations to air fryer broccoli.
Parmesan Delight
Parmesan cheese and broccoli are a match made in heaven. The savory, umami flavor of the parmesan perfectly complements the the broccoli. To add a cheesy twist to your air fryer broccoli, simply sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Lemon Pepper Zest
For a delicious zesty, tangy flavor, consider adding lemon pepper seasoning to your air fryer broccoli. The bright, citrusy flavor of the lemon balances the earthy taste of the broccoli, and the pepper adds a hint of heat.
TIP: Make your own homemade lemon pepper seasoning by mixing together lemon zest, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over your broccoli before air frying, and you’ll have a zesty, flavorful dish that’s sure to be delicious.
Herb Infused Broccoli
Herbs like thyme and rosemary can add a whole new dimension of flavor to your air fryer broccoli. These herbs not only enhance the flavor of the broccoli, but they also make the kitchen smell amazing while it’s cooking.
Infuse your broccoli with delicious herb flavor, simply toss your broccoli with:
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Herbs of your choice
Pairing Your Air Fried Broccoli With Meals
Air fryer broccoli blends seamlessly into a variety of meals. You can serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak, mix it into pasta dishes, or even add it to your salads for a crunchy twist.
As a Snack
One of the best things about air fryer broccoli is that it makes a delicious, healthy snack all by itself. It’s perfect for when you’re craving something crunchy but want to keep things healthy. Combine your broccoli with a variety of dipping sauces to choose from. This way you can enjoy a different flavor every time you snack.
Some of the sauces that I enjoy with broccoli are tangy buffalo sauce to a creamy garlic aioli or even a simple ranch dressing, the possibilities for dipping sauces are endless. Go ahead and get creative with your sauces and enjoy your crispy air fryer broccoli as a delicious and healthy snack.
Including in Main Courses
Air fryer broccoli is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a variety of main courses. Whether you’re tossing it into a pasta dish, adding it to a salad, or serving it alongside your favorite protein, air fryer broccoli adds a delicious, crispy texture and a burst of flavor to your meals.
Try adding air fryer broccoli to:
- a creamy pasta dish for a crunchy contrast
- grilled chicken or steak for a balanced, nutritious meal
- add to salads for an extra crunch
- stir-fry for a quick, easy, and healthy meal
- or enjoy air fryer broccoli as a delicious side dish.
More Stuff to Make
Air Fryer Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Air Fryer Zucchini
Air Fryer Black Pepper and Garlic Chicken Legs
Equipment Used and Kitchen Essentials
I always do my best to include the equipment I use to produce a recipe as well as ingredients. I also like to include kitchen essentials that I use that I find helpful. I do receive a small commission on these items at NO COST to YOU. Thanks for your support.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Oven 6 Quart
Air Fryer Liners – 8.5 Inches
AmazonFresh Avocado Oil
365 Whole Foods Sea Salt
Happy Belly Black Pepper
McCormick Garlic Powder
McCormick Crushed Red Pepper
Simply Organic Whole Thyme Leaf
Organic Fresh Broccoli
Organic Lemons
Storing Air Fryer Broccoli
Air fryer broccoli tastes best when it is right out of the air fryer. Of course you can save your leftover air fryer broccoli in an airtight container. When properly stored air fryer broccoli lasts 5 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat Broccoli in Air Fryer
Reheating air fryer broccoli is a simple process. Set the temperature of the air fryer to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Place broccoli florets in the air fryer basket and heat 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy.
Broccoli For Meal Prep
Air fryer broccoli is also perfect for meal prep. By cooking a large batch at the start of the week, you can have a ready-to-go healthy side dish for your meals throughout the week. Toss some broccoli florets into the air fryer basket and reheat for a few minutes.
FAQ
Shaking the broccoli in the air fryer basket a couple times and adding some water can help prevent burning. Cooking for 8 minutes at 350 degrees with 1 shake half-way through also helps.
Cooking broccoli typically takes 5-6 minutes when steaming and 6-8 minutes when boiling or stir-frying. When cooking in an air fryer cook time is 8-10 minutes.
Air frying vegetables can cause some nutrient loss, but it is still a healthier option than frying in oil. Overall, air frying veggies can still provide nutritional benefits.
Any type of broccoli can be cooked in the air fryer.
Air fry broccoli at 370°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 Large Head of Broccoli
- 1 Tbsp. Avocado oil or Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Dried Thyme
- 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
- Juice of Half of a Lemon about 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry broccoli.
- Cut broccoli into 1 1/2 inch florets. Make sure broccoli is similar in size for even cooking.
- Season broccoli with all dry seasonings and drizzle with oil of choice.
- Mix well to coat broccoli in all the seasonings and olive oil.
- Preheat air fryer to 370 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place broccoli florets in air fryer basket.
- Air fry broccoli 8-10 minutes or until desired tenderness.
