Air Fryer Broccoli
6 Comments
Updated Dec 12, 2023
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Air fryer broccoli is the best way to get crispy-tender broccoli in under 10 minutes. Just toss the florets with a simple seasoning and then pop them into the air fryer. You’ll have a perfectly cooked vegetable side dish in minutes!
This air fryer broccoli recipe is yet another dish to add to my endless list of air fryer vegetables. Previously, I’ve always defaulted to roasting vegetables, like my roasted broccoli. But this air fryer version achieves the same results (crispy yet tender florets) in less time. So yes, I’d say I’m slightly obsessed with my air fryer, and you should be too.
Air Fryer Broccoli Ingredients
Like most roasted or air fryer vegetables, a simple seasoning and olive oil are all you need for an extra tasty flavor. I’m using my go-to combination of garlic, salt, and black pepper. But unlike my air fryer asparagus that uses freshly minced garlic, I’m using garlic powder for this recipe as it coats and sticks to the florets a bit better.
If you want to take this broccoli a step further — add a sprinkle of thyme, grated parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to top it off!
If using frozen broccoli, the key here is to not thaw them before air frying. Thawed frozen broccoli will result in super soft florets that won’t crisp up easily in the air fryer. Just keep in mind that they may need an additional few minutes to cook all the way through!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
Toss together. In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets with a drizzle of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add to the air fryer. Transfer the broccoli to the basket of an air fryer and arrange them in a flat single layer. Make sure you don’t crowd the basket. You want the air to flow around the florets.
Air fry the broccoli. Set the temperature to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 7 to 9 minutes. Halfway through, shake the basket to make sure all sides get cooked evenly.
A Few Questions Answered
If you’d like the broccoli softer and more steamed rather than crispy, add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.
If you crowd your air fryer basket with broccoli, it’s more likely to steam versus air fry. So if all of your florets don’t fit into a single layer (with some space in between), cook two batches instead.
For me, I get perfectly cooked broccoli around the 8-minute mark. But when you’re shaking the basket halfway through, check to see how done your broccoli is. You can then determine how much time you should continue cooking.
Storage Tips
Any leftover broccoli will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days if stored in an airtight container. To reheat — pop them back in the air fryer or microwave for 30 seconds or so until warmed through.
And if you need some ideas on how to use cooked broccoli for meal prep, check out my budget meal prep for mix-and-match meal ideas!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast: Nail the juiciest chicken breasts or make these air fryer chicken wings!
- Air Fryer Salmon: Cook flaky, tender salmon every single time
- Air Fryer Cauliflower: The perfect meal prep ingredient for mix-and-match meals.
- Air Fryer Green Beans: Another delicious veggie dish to throw into your rotation.
- Air Fryer Carrots: Crisp tender carrots in under 10 minutes!
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: The best method for crispy the crispiest edges.
- or check out this list of air fryer recipes for more ideas!
Now that you’ve discovered this air fryer recipe, I hope you love air-frying broccoli as much as I do! If you make it, let me know how this dish turned out in the comment box below.
Air Fryer Broccoli (So Easy!)
Description
Equipment
- Ninja Max Air Fryer My go-to air fryer for all my air fryer recipes!
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toss together. In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Air fry the broccoli. Transfer the broccoli to the basket of an air fryer. Set the temperature to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Pro tip: If you'd like the broccoli softer and more steamed rather than crispy, add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.
Lisa’s Tips
- For easy cleanup, you can use these disposable liners for my air fryer!
Nutrition
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Broccoli is one of my favorite veggies so I was so happy to try a different version. It was easy, tasty and with a perfect crisp. I am going for the cauliflower next!
I’m glad you loved the air fryer broccoli… and hope you love the air fryer cauliflower as well!
So glad you’re making more air fryer recipes Lisa! Made this for meal prep this week and it was perfect. Hope to see more air fryer vegetables soon :)
So happy you’re loving my air fryer recipes, Emily! And yes, more air fryer recipes are coming soon. Stay tuned!
Dear Lisa.I discovered your website about 3 weeks ago and haven’t looked anywhere else since! Lisa, you have nailed every recipe so well. I’m keto and thoroughly enjoying your suggestions. Thank you so much.
Neill
Australia
Happy to hear you’re enjoying Downshiftology recipes Neill!