Air Fryer Broccoli

Air Fryer Broccoli — pretty straightforward, right? Well yes, except…….in terms of a super healthy GREEN veggie, you can get on the table after work that everyone will actually eat? THIS IS THE G.O.A.T. Garlic and broccoli were made for each so you already know it’s going somewhere good. 

We have this side dish so often that I pretty much make it on autopilot now. Air Fryer Broccoli is a staple in our house because it is so disproportionately delicious to the time and effort it takes to put together. In under 10 minutes, you have roasted broccoli that’s tender but still retains a bite. And the savory, crispy, almost nutty exterior from air frying has everyone reaching for more. 

Best of all, this recipe and technique will work for fresh or frozen broccoli simply by adjusting the cooking time, which is detailed below. You can start with whole heads of broccoli or those bags of fresh organic florets. This recipe is here to make dinner time easy, healthy, and yummy with whatever works for you!

Air fried broccoli is an absolute winner when paired with grilled fish or meat. It’s just as delectable alongside your favorite pasta dishes, especially with the Parmigiano addition!  Serve with lemon wedges for a no-fuss, no-muss family favorite.

Ingredient spotlight

Broccoli:

A cruciferous powerhouse, Broccoli is full of anti-antioxidants that protect against cell damage and certain illnesses. Good source of calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. 

Garlic:

Helps to flush out toxins from the body, lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. Also has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help in preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Tips & Substitutions

• Cut the broccoli into similar sized florets so they all cook evenly
• Use 1 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic 
• Frozen broccoli in an air fryer? - Yes! You can air fry frozen broccoli. Start by air frying the frozen broccoli for 7 to 8 minutes so that it thaws. Then add all the seasonings and cook broccoli as per this recipe at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes. 
• Don’t have an air fryer? - Preheat the oven to 400 F. Toss all ingredients, including Parmigiano if using, and line up the broccoli on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 F

How to Air Fry Broccoli

• Cut broccoli into 1 inch wide and 2 inch long florets. Place in a medium bowl and add garlic, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Mix well coating the broccoli.
• Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes. Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350 F for 8 minutes.

• Shake the basket halfway through. *Optionally sprinkle Parmigiano over the broccoli for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Serve hot with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Serving ideas

Air Fried Broccoli is a perfect side dish to pair with

• Creamy Tomato Pasta or Penne Alla Vodka
• Tandoori Salmon or Chicken Kabobs
• Air Fried Tandoori Chicken or Fish Sticks

Storing

It's easy to make the air fryer broccoli a few hours ahead of your meal. Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes. Then when you are ready to eat pop the basket back in and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Air Frying Tips

• You may need to increase or decrease the air frying time depending on your air fryer. Check your food frequently to prevent it from burning. This is especially important during the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers come in different sizes, so your food might not fit the same way that recipes online show.
• Do not use aerosol spray cans to apply the non-stick spray to the basket. Aerosol spray cans usually contain harsh ingredients that are known for causing chipping in air fryer baskets.
• Shake the basket during cooking times for smaller things like chicken wings, fries, and small veggies. Do this every few minutes or halfway through cooking.
• Be careful not to press the basket release button while you are carrying the baskets. This will cause the inner basket to pull out and the outer basket will drop, which might damage it.
• Do not place anything on top of your air fryer. This disrupts the airflow and will cause poor air frying results.
• If you air fry high-fat foods, pour out the fat droppings from under the inner basket. This will prevent excess smoke while it cooks next time.

Here are some more favorite Air Fryer Recipes

• Crispy Okra
• Tandoori Masala Fries
• Cauliflower Bites
• Tandoori Chicken
• Fish Sticks
• Glazed Donuts

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5 from 8 votes

Air Fryer Broccoli

Air Fryer Broccoli in under 10 minutes! These delicious broccoli florets have a crispy exterior and the inside is tender with a bite

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• ▢ 12 oz broccoli
• ▢ 5 garlic cloves pressed
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 lemon cut into half
• ▢ 2 tablespoons grated parmigiano reggiano optional

Instructions

• Rinse and pat dry broccoli. Cut into 1 inch wide and 2 inch long florets. Place in a medium bowl and add garlic, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Mix well coating the broccoli.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes.
• Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350 F for 8 minutes, shake the basket halfway through. *Optionally sprinkle Parmigiano over the broccoli for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Serve hot with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Substitutions:
Use 1 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic

Oven Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F
Toss all ingredients, including Parmigiano if using, and line up the broccoli on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 F

Air Frying frozen broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes! You can air fry frozen broccoli. Start by air frying the frozen broccoli for 7 to 8 minutes so that it thaws. Then add all the seasonings and cook broccoli as per this recipe at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 360mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 557IU | Vitamin C: 91mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 1mg

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