Air Fryer Broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is a healthy and easy side dish. Actually, it’s so tasty, you may find yourself snacking it on it, too.

I really love this air fryer broccoli. I often eat it for breakfast along with my scrambled eggs. It’s so easy to make and so tasty.

While not everyone may appreciate the finer points of broccoli for breakfast (including my husband and my children), you can’t complain about the nutritious start that broccoli will give your day. I find that it can be difficult to get all those required veggies into my diet and perhaps you do too. Some folks love smoothies with a good handful of greens thrown in with the fruit but I prefer something that I can chew on in the morning.

Air fryer broccoli is a delicious and easy side dish for any meal and actually a pretty darn good snack, too. Enjoy it in all its green glory or jazz it up with a little Parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice, or spicy hot red pepper flakes.

This delicious broccoli is a tasty vegetable that can be served as a side in most any meal. It is good in salads, grain bowls, or wrapped in a burrito. Add it to quiche or pasta.

Air fryer broccoli goes really well with dips, too. I remember the first time I had broccoli dipped in mayonnaise. It was a revelation. Try it with French fry sauce, homemade Green Goddess dressing, or blue cheese dressing. Of course, buttermilk ranch dressing is always a good idea.

About this Recipe

We often enjoy oven roasted broccoli. It’s delicious and goes well with everything. When I started using an air fryer, I knew I had to try roasting broccoli in it. An air fryer is much like a convection oven but a big advantage is that air fryers preheat very quickly saving you a ton of time.

There’s one fairly significant difference in the method. If you’ve tried my recipe for roasting broccoli, you’ll know that I really emphasize that the broccoli has to be completely dry before you put it in the oven. After testing the recipe for air fryer broccoli a few times, we found that it’s best with a little moisture.

If you’re wondering why, here’s my explanation. Because of all the dry air that circulates in the air fryer, dry broccoli doesn’t have a chance to get tender before it crisps up. By allowing a little water to cling to the broccoli, it steams just a tiny bit before getting crisp. That little bit of steaming tenderizes the broccoli, and it’s pretty perfect!

I’ll run through this easy cooking method here and give you lots of helpful tips. As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card near the end of the post. It has complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.

What you’ll need

• Broccoli: Look for a nice fresh head of broccoli. The crown should be compact and dark green, with no yellowing flowers. You can choose either a whole head of broccoli on a large stem or 2-3 crowns (without the large stem). Broccoli will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Olive Oil: This heart-healthy oil adds flavor and helps the broccoli brown nicely.
• Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings but so essential to roasting vegetables. Use coarse salt and coarsely ground pepper if you can. It’s more attractive and you’ll enjoy the nice little pops of flavor.
• Garlic Powder: This is 100% garlic that’s been dehydrated and then ground into a fine powder. Don’t confuse it with garlic salt which has added ingredients. If you don’t care for garlic, it’s fine to omit it.

How to make Air Fryer Broccoli

Begin by cutting the broccoli into florets. As you know, a head of broccoli includes a few crowns and a large stem. Cut off the large stem and separate the florets into evenly sized pieces, not too gigantic but not teeny-tiny either.

You can use the stem, too. Peel off the tough outer layer using a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife, and then cut the stem into round coins. I actually like the stem pieces better than the florets. They are sweeter in flavor and have a great texture.

Rinse the broccoli well. As I mentioned above, a little moisture is essential for tender air fried broccoli. To accomplish that goal, the broccoli florets are soaked in a bowlful of water for a few minutes. That’s all there is to it! Nothing fancy but this simple step makes a difference.

Once the broccoli has soaked, let it drain in a colander. There will be some water clinging to it and that’s okay. While it drains, dry the bowl.

Put the broccoli back into the bowl and add the oil and seasonings.

Toss the broccoli with the oil, coating it as well as you can. It really works best if you use your hands and massage the oil into the florets.

Turn your air fryer on to 350ºF. Put the broccoli into your air fryer on the grate or rack. Air fry it for 8 minutes, shaking every couple of minutes to redistribute the broccoli so it cooks evenly.

Cooking time may vary a bit depending on how large your florets are and how brown you like them. It also depends on your air fryer. Some models seem to run hotter than others. After a time or two, you’ll know exactly how long to cook your broccoli. just the way you like it.

Note: If you like really crispy broccoli, it’s best to air fry it in a single layer.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

• Broccoli and cheese is always a good idea. Add a couple tablespoons of shredded or grated Parmesan during the last minute of cooking.
• Looking for a nonfat option? You can make air fryer broccoli with no oil. Substitute a bit of broth, either vegetable or chicken.
• Add or substitute seasonings of your choice. My all purpose seasoning is perfect for this recipe. If you like a little spicy heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Toss the cooked broccoli with lemon juice and fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or cilantro.
• Add a drizzle of hot honey, balsamic glaze, or chimichurri to the cooked broccoli.

Make Ahead Ideas

Prep the broccoli up to a day ahead of time. Cut it into florets and rinse it well. Put it into a covered bowl or plastic bag and refrigerate. Proceed with the recipe when you’re ready to cook the broccoli.

Storage & Reheating Suggestions

Cooked broccoli will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days.

To reheat, it tastes best if you put it back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes. A toaster oven does a pretty decent job, too. For individual portions, heat in the microwave.

Leftover Love

If you have air fried broccoli left over, eat it with your eggs for breakfast tomorrow. Use it to amp up a salad or grain bowl for lunch. Make a box of mac and cheese more nutritious by adding some cooked broccoli.