Air Fryer Broccoli

Here's a 10-minute recipe for crisp roasted broccoli using your air fryer. This perfectly roasted, nutritious vegetable is a great side for pasta, grilled meats, curries or to add to your salads, and comes together with just 5 ingredients!

Enjoy this budget-friendly and healthy side dish any night of the week!

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 since. A simple toss with oil and seasoning, then about 20 minutes in the oven results in perfectly roasted broccoli. And now, thanks to the air fryer that time is cut in a third!

This air fryer broccoli cooks in 5 minutes, which is perfect for weeknights. By the time I'm done warming dinner, crisp air fried broccoli gets done. It's a tasty vegetable side dish that's good for you. Scroll down to see some health benefits of air fried broccoli.

More broccoli recipes: You might enjoy this comforting Broccoli Cheddar Pasta. And if you're looking to steam it, here's an easy recipe for perfectly steamed Instant Pot Broccoli.

Ingredients

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

• Broccoli: We need about 2 medium heads of broccoli for this recipe cut into florets. Feel free to grab a bag of pre-washed broccoli florets to save time.
• Oil: We just need a tablespoon of oil for this recipe. I prefer to use olive oil or avocado oil. If you don't have either, feel to use any clear oil you have in your pantry.
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper and a dash of garlic powder is all you need to flavor this vegetables. Optionally, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for an added kick.

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

How to Cook Broccoli in Air Fryer

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

Step 1: Cut broccoli head into medium-size 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 degrees 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

• Rinse broccoli florets just before cooking as that prevents it from burning. Gently 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.

Step 3: Air Fry Broccoli

• 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.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer?

Although fresh broccoli is idea for air frying, you can use frozen broccoli in the air fryer, if that's what you have on hand. Toss the frozen broccoli with oil and seasoning and air fry at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Do keep in mind that broccoli will not get as crisp as compared to fresh.

Alternate Method: Oven Roasted Broccoli

• Preheat the oven at 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 Re-heat

You can store leftover roasted broccoli in an air tight container and refrigerate 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 fryer broccoli with pasta dishes, like 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, this roasted broccoli can be added to enhance these 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 compared to fresh roasted broccoli.

Common Questions

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! For more quick & easy recipes, FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram,  Pinterest and Youtube.

📖 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.

4.67 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 61 kcal

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

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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