10 Minute Air Fryer Broccoli

Here's a 10-minute recipe for crispy roasted air fryer broccoli using just 5 ingredients. This perfectly roasted, nutritious vegetable makes a great side dish for pasta, grilled meats, curries, or salads, and it comes together easily with minimum prep using this hands-off recipe!

Want to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

According to my kids, I am among the limited edition of people who actually like to eat broccoli! I'm sure you can imagine my struggle to get them (and Daddy) to eat this vegetable, except when it is roasted or grilled!

Oven-roasted broccoli has been a regular side dish on our table for two decades. A simple toss with oil and seasoning and about 20 minutes in the oven result in perfectly roasted broccoli. And now, thanks to the air fryer, that time is cut in a third!

This air-fried broccoli cooks in 5 minutes, which is perfect for weeknights. By the time I'm done warming dinner, this crisp air-fried broccoli is done. It's a tasty vegetable side dish that's good for you.

Ingredients

Broccoli, oil, and seasoning are all you need to make this budget-friendly side dish. Here's what you need for this air-fried broccoli recipe. See the recipe card for quantities.

• Broccoli: For this recipe, we need about 2 medium heads of broccoli cut into florets. To save time, grab a bag of pre-washed broccoli florets.
• Oil: This recipe requires just a tablespoon of oil. I prefer to use olive oil or avocado oil, but you can use any clear oil you have in your pantry.
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and a dash of garlic powder are all you need to flavor this vegetable. Optionally, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for an added kick.

Seasoning variations: You can switch the seasoning to complement your meal. Add a pinch of cumin and coriander to add an Indian touch. Toss with an Italian Herb seasoning blend to pair with pasta. Add taco seasoning instead and enjoy with a burrito, beans, and rice.

How to Cook Broccoli In An Air Fryer

With these step-by-step instructions, you can learn how to make the best, crispiest broccoli in air fryer in just 10 minutes. Let's get started!

Step 1: Cut broccoli head into medium-sized florets

Here are the step-by-step directions for how to cut broccoli:

1. Using a sharp knife, slice off the large stem that connects to the broccoli head. Cut the head in half across the middle (pic 1).
2. Now cut it in quarters (pic 2).
3. Now cut the stem that connects all the florets at a 45-degree angle(pic 3).
4. Pull apart the florets with your hands. If you have large florets, cut them in half (Pic 4).

Step 2: Season Broccoli

5. Rinse broccoli florets just before cooking to prevent them from burning. Gently shake off the excess water.

6. Transfer broccoli florets to a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If adding parmesan cheese, add it now. Toss well until all the broccoli florets are coated with seasoning.

Step 3: Air Fry Broccoli

7. Spread the broccoli in a single layer in the fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in two batches. Push the basket in place.

8. Air fry at 360°F for 3-5 minutes until the broccoli is roasted to your liking. The air fryer will take a couple of minutes to preheat and then start cooking. For crispier broccoli, air fry for another 1-2 minutes.
9. Sprinkle a dash of lemon juice. Sprinkle chili flakes on top for garnish, if desired.

Alternate Method: Oven Roasted Broccoli

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Follow the steps for preparing and seasoning the broccoli florets.
• Spread evenly on an aluminum-lined baking sheet and cook for 15-18 minutes or until it crisps to your liking.
• Garnish with lemon juice and red pepper flakes, and serve immediately.

How to Store and Reheat

Leftover roasted broccoli can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 2-3 days. To reheat, either microwave it for a minute or air fry it at 350°F for 1-2 minutes.

Serving Suggestion

Pair this air-fried broccoli with pasta dishes, such as Penne Alla Vodka, Creamy mushroom pasta, or Pesto Tortellini.

Or, cook with Indian spices and enjoy as a side with Chana Dal, Dal tadka, Tandoori Chicken or this spicy Keema Curry.

Alternatively, roasted broccoli can enhance Asian-flavored curries like panang curry, Massaman Curry, or Red Curry.

Recipe Tips & Notes

1. Rinse broccoli just before roasting so it retains some moisture. That prevents it from burning while air frying.
2. Cut the florets about the same size to ensure even cooking.
3. Use dry seasoning, like garlic powder and dried herbs instead of fresh to prevent burning in the air fryer.
4. For even cooking, spread the broccoli in a single layer in the fryer basket/tray. Air fry in 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. 
5. For roasting broccoli in the oven, season and cook in a preheated oven at 425°F for 15-18 minutes or until crisp to your liking.
6. If using frozen broccoli, toss it with oil and seasoning. Air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that the broccoli will not get as crisp as fresh roasted broccoli.

Common Questions

📖 Recipe

Air Fryer Broccoli

Aneesha Gupta

10-minute recipe for perfectly roasted Air Fryer broccoli. Enjoy this crisp, nutritious vegetable with pasta, curry, grilled meats or salads.

4.75 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 61 kcal

Want to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Equipment

• ▢
  Air Fryer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 12 oz broccoli florets about 2 broccoli heads
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder optional

Optional Ingredients

• ▢ 2-3 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese optional
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) for garnish
• ▢ ½-1 teaspoon lemon juice for garnish

Instructions

 

• Rinse broccoli florets just before cooking as that prevents it from burning. Shake off the excess water.
  
• Transfer broccoli florets to a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. If adding parmesan cheese, add now. Toss well until all broccoli florets are coated with seasoning.
  
• Spread the broccoli in the fryer basket, in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this 2 batches. Push the basket in place.
  
• Air fry at 360°F for 3-5 minutes, until the broccoli is roasted to your liking. The air fryer will take a couple of minutes to preheat, then start cooking. For crispier broccoli air fryer another 1-2 minutes.
  
• Sprinkle a dash of lemon juice. Sprinkle chili flakes on top for garnish, if desired.
  

Notes

1. Rinse broccoli just before roasting as that prevents it from burning while air frying.
2. Cut the florets about the same size to ensure even cooking.
3. Use dry seasoning, like garlic powder and dried herbs instead of fresh to prevent burning in the air fryer.
4. For even cooking, spread the broccoli in a single layer in the fryer basket/tray. Air fry in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your air fryer. 
5. For roasting broccoli in the oven, season and cook in a preheated oven at 425°F for 15-18 minutes, or until crisp to your liking.
6. If using frozen broccoli, toss it with oil and seasoning. Air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Keep in mind though that the broccoli will not get as crisp as compared to fresh roasted broccoli.

 

Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates and do not include parmesan cheese. If you are following any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 269mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 567IU | Vitamin C: 76mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Share a photo and tag @spicecravings or #spicecravings