This is the BEST Air Fryer Broccoli recipe that’s perfectly tender and crispy every time! You only need 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make a fresh and healthy side dish that pairs well with any meal!
I can’t get enough of this air fryer broccoli! It’s tender and crispy around the edges like roasted broccoli, but takes less than 10 minutes to cook (a fraction of the time). I also love that it’s hands-off, so I can focus on my main dish while the broccoli does it’s thing. This recipe is so good you might want to make a double batch!
How To Make Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli Florets — I cut the broccoli into even-sized florets so they all cook at the same rate.
- Olive oil — A little olive oil helps the broccoli get nice and crispy in the air fryer.
- Seasonings — I use a blend of onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also use garlic powder and cajun seasoning.
Instructions
Season and air fry the broccoli:
- Preheat your air fryer if your model requires it.
- Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil and seasonings until they’re well-coated.
- Arrange the broccoli in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through.
Serve and enjoy:
- The broccoli will be tender and brown around the edges when it’s done.
- Enjoy this delicious, quick and easy air fryer broccoli with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle some kosher salt on top! It’s that easy!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- I cut the broccoli florets into medium, bite-sized pieces. If they’re too big, they won’t be as tender. If they’re too small, they can overcook.
- Don’t forget to shake the air fryer basket halfway through. This helps the broccoli cook evenly and get crispy on all the edges.
- You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. If the basket is overcrowded, it can steam the broccoli and keep it from getting crispy.
How To Store Leftovers
To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I also love adding it to meal prep bowls!
To Freeze: I prefer to make air fryer broccoli fresh since it’s so quick. But, you can freeze it if you’d like. Just toss it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: You can reheat the leftovers in your air fryer for just a couple of minutes.
What To Serve with Air Fryer Broccoli
Fish: Crispy broccoli is great alongside pan-seared salmon or air fryer cod. You can also serve it with more veggies aside like brussels sprouts, carrots and potatoes.
Chicken: You can never go wrong with these garlic butter baked chicken breasts.
Pasta: Air fryer broccoli is fantastic with my one-pan shrimp spaghetti.
Rice: Add it to a bowl with my leek kalamata rice or golden cauliflower rice.
Recipe Variations
Garlic parmesan: I love this flavor combo! Season the broccoli with fresh garlic and top it with parmesan cheese once you finish cooking it.
Sweet and spicy: If you like spicy food, drizzle some hot honey over top and garnish with red pepper flakes.
Fresh lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon before serving takes air fryer broccoli to another level!
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer fresh broccoli, but you can certainly use frozen if that’s what you have. No need to thaw the broccoli first, but you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
The key to tender broccoli is to not overcrowd the air fryer. If the broccoli is too close together, it can steam instead of crisp up.
Instead of flipping each floret, I just give the basket a good shake about halfway through. It does the trick every time!
I love to serve it with:
1. Garlic Aioli: A creamy and flavorful garlic aioli.
2. Balsamic Glaze: Drizzling balsamic glaze over air-fried broccoli adds a sweet and tangy flavor.
3. Sriracha Mayo: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a spicy sriracha mayo provides a kick of flavor to this recipe.
Try this cooked broccoli recipe with some of my favorite air fryer main dishes! Air Fryer Salmon and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts hold a regular spot in our dinner rotation. I also love these Air Fryer Pork Chops! They get so crispy you won’t believe they aren’t actually “fried.”
If you want to try more air fryer vegetables sides, I have plenty of recipes to check out!I make Air Fryer Asparagus and Air Fryer Green Beans all the time because they’re so quick and versatile. You also have to try these Air Fryer Potato Wedges and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries. They’re crispy, fluffy, and irresistible!
Even More Broccoli Recipes
Air Fryer Broccoli
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Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the broccoli is evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned broccoli florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook the broccoli in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- To cook broccoli in the air fryer, set the temperature to 400F and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Remember to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The broccoli should be tender and lightly browned on the edges when done. Enjoy!
Tips
- Feel free to add other seasonings if you like! Keep in mind that simple flavors work best with this recipe.
- After you wash the broccoli, dry it well, so the olive oil and seasonings adhere better.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Olivia Ribas says